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Chichicastenango
A highland K’iche’ Maya town famous for its huge twice-weekly market and incense-filled church steps
A highland K’iche’ Maya town famous for its huge twice-weekly market and incense-filled church steps
Thursday and Sunday bring one of Central America’s biggest markets, from tourist handicrafts to vegetables, chickens and household goods.
Arrive early, before the tour buses, and bargain politely.
Photo: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0
A 16th-century church built on a pre-Hispanic temple platform, whose steps are used for Maya rituals with incense and candles.
Don’t photograph inside the church or at ceremonies without permission.
Photo: Greg Willis, CC BY-SA 2.0
Brightly painted tombs on a hillside at the edge of town; families repaint them before All Saints’ Day.
Photo: Ralf Steinberger, CC BY 2.0
The market food hall (comedores) serves cheap, filling dishes such as pepián, grilled meats, tamales and atol.
There are a few hotel restaurants around the plaza for a quieter meal.
Chichicastenango is about 1.5 hours by road from Panajachel and 2.5–3 hours from Antigua or Guatemala City. Shuttles and tours run on market days; many visitors come as a day trip. Tourist shuttles link Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango and Guatemala City airport; they are safer and easier than public ‘chicken buses’.
Citizens of the UK, US, EU, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit Guatemala visa-free. Stays are covered by the CA-4 agreement, which allows up to 90 days in total across Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. The US government rates Guatemala at Level 3 (reconsider travel) and advises against travel to San Marcos and Huehuetenango departments, Zone 18 in Guatemala City and Villa Nueva. Check current advice before you travel.
Chichicastenango is inexpensive; most visitors come for the day.
Market day.
Arrive early on a Thursday or Sunday, browse the market, watch the rituals at Santo Tomás, then walk up to the cemetery and the Pascual Abaj shrine on the hill.
Hire a local guide to visit Pascual Abaj respectfully.
Use registered shuttles and taxis or Uber, avoid travelling after dark, and keep valuables out of sight.
Carry quetzales for markets, boats and small shops; use ATMs inside banks or malls.
Ask before photographing people, and never at religious ceremonies without permission.
At 2,000m nights are cold; bring a warm layer.
Quick answers for planning time in Chichicastenango.
Citizens of the UK, US, EU, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free; the CA-4 agreement allows up to 90 days across Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Thursday and Sunday; Sunday is usually the busier day.
Yes, shuttles and tours run from Antigua, Panajachel and Guatemala City on market days.
A Maya shrine on a hill outside town, still used for ceremonies.
Textiles, carved wooden masks and pottery; compare prices and bargain politely.
Google Maps works for towns and walking; tourist shuttles are booked through agencies or your hotel.
Free
Spanish is the main language, alongside many Mayan languages; English is spoken in tourist areas.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Guatemala travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.