At the Chichicastenango Maya Market, you’ll have the opportunity to observe time-honored Indian ceremonies at the Santo Tomas Church, in addition to exploring an attractive open-air marketplace. This market serves as a hub for local people to trade goods such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, livestock, fabrics and handcrafted items.
At the Chichicastenango Maya Market, you’ll have the opportunity to observe time-honored Indian ceremonies at the Santo Tomas Church, in addition to exploring an attractive open-air marketplace. This market serves as a hub for local people to trade goods such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, livestock, fabrics and handcrafted items.
- Guatemala City Central Park - Guests will be picked up from their hotel in Guatemala City and transferred to Chichicastenango. Occasionally, the transfer will pass through Antigua Guatemala. Below is a brief overview of what to expect during the journey.
- Mercado de Chichicastenango - Upon arrival at the market, the walking tour will commence….
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Guatemala City Central Park - Guests will be picked up from their hotel in Guatemala City and transferred to Chichicastenango. Occasionally, the transfer will pass through Antigua Guatemala. Below is a brief overview of what to expect during the journey.
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Mercado de Chichicastenango - Upon arrival at the market, the walking tour will commence. This market is the city’s hub and the center of commercial life for the “maxeños” (a term for the indigenous people of Chichicastenango, derived from Max, meaning Tomás in the Quiché language). Every Thursday and Sunday, merchants gather in the central square to sell their goods in this remarkable indigenous market, which has remained largely unchanged over the centuries.
Visitors will have the opportunity to admire the vibrant handicrafts made by local residents, as well as a variety of merchandise, including clay crafts, traditional textiles, fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, flowers, and regional costumes. The tour will also include a visit to Santo Tomás Church, constructed in 1540 on the site of a pre-Hispanic archaeological temple. This church is a magnificent example of colonial architecture, showcasing a blend of Mayan and Latin influences both inside and outside over time. After exploring the market, guests can enjoy a delicious lunch (not included, but available as an optional add-on for an additional cost). -
Guatemala City Central Park - At the conclusion of the tour, guests will return to Guatemala City via Antigua Guatemala.
- Lunch (if option selected)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Driver/guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional bilingual guide
- Lunch (if option selected)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Driver/guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional bilingual guide
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Food and drinks
- Optional gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Food and drinks
- Optional gratuities
- Minimum of 2 passengers (adults) is required for the tour to run. If the minimum size is not reached, the tour is subject to cancellation and all tickets are refunded or rescheduled.
- Tours include bilingual guide (English and Spanish).
- It is recommended that you bring walking shoes, hat, sunglasses, and a camera.
- Please contact us if you need a…
- Minimum of 2 passengers (adults) is required for the tour to run. If the minimum size is not reached, the tour is subject to cancellation and all tickets are refunded or rescheduled.
- Tours include bilingual guide (English and Spanish).
- It is recommended that you bring walking shoes, hat, sunglasses, and a camera.
- Please contact us if you need a guide in any other language. French, German and Italian in private services, subject to additional costs and guide availability.
- For groups of 10 persons or more, please contact the local provider to arrange.
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required (if you select option with lunch included)
- To find pictures of our experiences, search us on Instagram as @graylinetoursgt
- On Holy week April 8th, we only visit the chichicastenango Market, we do not visit Atitlan lake due to traffic reasons.
- If you are lodging in Zone 1, our only pick-up point is at the Hotel Panamerican.
- If you are lodging in an airbnb please move to the nearest hotel lobby and please let us know of its name.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.