Guatemala's vibrant and colorful market days have been celebrated for more than 4,000 years. Markets are the best opportunities to experience Guatemala's rich traditional Mayan culture in one location, each hosting splendid examples of traditional textiles, handicrafts, and an assortment of unique food. However, each market area hosts its own unique specialty. Chichicastenango, with its endless tables of produce and special made masks made for The Dance of the Conquest; Comalapa for its painters, musicians, and artwork; Antigua fills the streets with an assortment of aromatic spices, herbs, and alternative and natural medicines; and San Francisco el Alto market that is full of farm and domestic animals each have their own unique way of demonstrating the country's majestic culture.
GUATEMALA'S
Markets
Antigua's Market Days – Mondays and Saturdays
Within Antigua’s market days you will find an assortment of aromatic spices, herbs, and alternative and natural medicines. Make sure to begin your tour walking through the parking lot full of Chicken Buses as they drop off those that are bringing their goods to sell and trade, it is a truly unique experience.
Antigua's Market Day Itinerary:
08:00a.m. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Antigua and bring you to the market area.
08:15a.m. Begin your tour walking through the Chicken Bus parking lot; take a moment to learn how today’s Mayan people utilize the colors and patterns painted on the buses to travel to different remote locations on the Chicken Bus system of transportation.
Experience the unique vegetables and herbs and spices grown in the rich volcanic soil common throughout Guatemala.
Enjoy a quick lunch from one of the local vendors or take a break at one of Antigua’s amazing restaurants before returning to your hotel.
A market day experiencing Guatemala's unique culture
1 DAY EXPEDITION
1
DAY TOUR
$95
2 PERSON ITINERARY
Book this Tour Online
Chichicastenango Market – Thursday and Sunday
Chichicastenango: (Sundays and Thursdays; 94km away from Antigua), This is one of the biggest markets in Guatemala. It is full of textiles, vegetables, fruits, and handcrafts. You also will visit the mask factory and Santo Thomas church, where you can see the Guatemalan syncretism. Have a day full of fun and enjoyment in this traditional Mayan market. This city has a lot of tradition. Enjoy lunch at Moreria Sto. Tomas and observe how traditional dresses are made.
Considered to be the best market in the Americas
THE AMERICAS' BEST MARKET
1
DAY TOUR
$170
2 PERSON ITINERARY
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Comalapa Market – Tuesdays and Fridays
The town of San Juan Comalapa is famous in Guatemala for its painters, musicians, and their artwork, especially the primitive folk paintings. As with most areas in Guatemala the woman are responsible for weaving the textile products, but the folk paintings are considered men's work. Household galleries are spread throughout the town and local artists will open their doors and display their colorful artwork for the visitors to see. On your tour, you will visit an art gallery and a music museum.
Comalapa Market Day Itinerary:
08:00a.m. Transfer to the Comalapa Market from your hotel in Antigua or Guatemala City, Guatemala (41km in 1.5 hours or 94km in 2.5 hours, respectively)
Upon arrival you will view the colorful cemetery with its outer walls painted with a mural of Guatemala’s rich history.
Take a walk through the market and enjoy lunch at your guide’s suggested restaurant around 12:30p.m.
02:00p.m. Transfer back to your hotel
Comalapa is filled with local traditional creativity
ENJOY LOCAL ARTWORK
1
DAY TOUR
$195
2 PERSON ITINERARY
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San Francisco el Alto Market – Fridays
Through textiles and ideology we will share with you why the Maya Culture that has been named one of the Mother Cultures of Humanity. You have the opportunity to set atop a gorgeous hill overlooking Quetzaltenango Valley, San Francisco El Alto, which must be seen to believe. From the town you can see the entire valley below on a clear day and the Santa Maria volcano.
The San Francisco el Alto market is full of farm and domestic animals, textiles and fabrics from traditional wear, and many different vegetables. According to historian, Horacio Cabezas, the San Francisco el Alto market is “the largest and biggest in Central America”.
San Francisco el Alto Market Day Itinerary:
08:00a.m. Transfer to the Comalapa Market from your hotel in Antigua or Guatemala City, Guatemala (41km in 1.5 hours or 94km in 2.5 hours, respectively)
Upon arrival you will view the colorful cemetery with its outer walls painted with a mural of Guatemala’s rich history.
Take a walk through the market and enjoy lunch at your guide’s suggested restaurant around 12:30p.m.
02:00p.m. Transfer back to your hotel
Experience Guatemala's Unique Culture
CULTURAL IMMERSION TOUR
1
DAY TOUR
$320
2 PERSON ITINERARY
Book this Tour Online
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