Chichicastenango Holidays

The mountain village of Chichicastenango, three hours from Antigua, is especially worth visiting on Thursdays and Sundays when indigenous Mayans from the surrounding villages come to trade at the market. A guide can help you to navigate your way through the different areas of this market famous for the rich smells of exotic foods filling the air and the sheer kaleidoscope of colours from the hand woven textiles on display. There are potential souvenirs galore here, and this is the ideal spot to test out your bartering skills. Chichicastenango is also one of the best places for visitors to witness the fascinating way in which the Mayan and Catholic faiths have merged in Guatemala. Mayan priests make pilgrimages to the village to hold ceremonies and make offerings to their Gods inside Catholic Churches. Insider tip - the locals refer to the town – perhaps understandably – as Chichi. Read more