Chichicastenango Market

Exploring Guatemala's bright marketplaces, which are stocked with colorful Mayan fabrics, traditional wooden crafts, and beautiful jade jewelry, is one of the country's biggest attractions. One of the biggest outdoor marketplaces in all of Latin America is located in Chichicastenango, which is also the oldest market in Guatemala. And as you'll see, this location is undoubtedly more than just a collection of stalls and dealers.

Chichicastenango, also known as Chichi by both locals and tourists, is a department in Guatemala's Western Highlands that is about 90 miles from the country's capital, Guatemala City. Nonetheless, many more people arrive in the town from all over the world every Thursday and Sunday. Chichi comes to life twice a week and has a well-deserved reputation as the most vibrant native market in the Americas. Busloads of tourists and residents stream into the streets to explore this brilliant symphony of colors and costumes, smoke and smells, and portable kiosks are put up in the center square and the surrounding blocks, typically continuing until the early hours.

The textiles in this market are what are most well-known, especially the huipils, which are the traditional clothing items worn by indigenous women and girls in Guatemala. Every huipil takes between 3 and 12 months to construct and is typically embellished with vibrant and elaborate motifs. The country's various areas employ a variety of hues and designs, but Chichi is home to some of the best huipils, which are well-liked by both men and women.

Location: in Guatemala’s Western Highlands in the department of El Quiche

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