The distinctive colours and patterns of the Mayan clothing show where the different groups of people have come from, and this is an extremely authentic experience.

You won't find any stalls selling the usual tourist masks and crafts though, rather goods needed by local inhabitants such as food, shoes, tools and traditional clothing.

If you can't make it on a market day, it is still worth a visit to this town as the views across Lake Atitlan to the surrounding volcanoes are spectacular. If you can be there on a Sunday, try to catch the local church dignitaries parading ceremoniously through the streets to the Cathedral.