Market Day in Chichicastenango

CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala – Chichicastenango is a town where buying and selling is everything. Its markets are among the largest in Central America; the range of wares on offer is truly impressive. And the indigenous Maya culture adds a distinct local flavor to the town.

Chichicastenango Market Produce And Textiles Chichicastenango Guatemala

By David Coleman

Last Updated: June 23, 2026

Filed Under: Guatemala

Topics: Central America, Chichicastenango Guatemala, markets, Quiche Guatemala

Who knew I had so many friends in Chichicastenango? And they’re such a friendly lot to boot. Which is odd, come to think about it, since I’d never been there before. But everywhere I turn I’m greeted with an enthusiastic “hola amigo.” And to a man, woman, and child, they’re all so insistent on giving me a very special price.

Truth be told, anyone who looks like a prospect for spending money is an amigo here, especially if their native currency is something other than the quetzal. This is, after all, a town where buying and selling is everything, a town built on commerce. Not in the way that Wall Street is built on commerce, mind you. Here the transactions are back to basics — buying and selling of actual stuff, some of it you might need, but much of it you probably don’t. Whether it’s souvenir wooden masks, colorful woven textiles, fresh produce, household supplies, live chickens or turkeys, or, once a year, even cattle, Chichicastenango is your place. It might not be as well-heeled as Harrods, but the range of stuff available for sale is truly impressive.

Chichicastenango’s markets, held on Thursdays and Sundays, are reputed to be the largest in Central America. The town’s census population is about 46,000, but the day before each market day many people stream in from the surrounding area to set up shop. Many of the vendors, often whole families, flock into town the evening before with their wares and bed down in their stalls space. And since the town is about 6,500 feet above sea level — this is the Guatemalan highlands — it can get pretty chilly at night for those sleeping in the street stalls.

The local population is mostly K’iche’ Maya. The name Chichicastenango derives from the Nahuatl tzitzicaztli, meaning nettle or chichicaste, making it roughly the place of the nettles., and their local traditions remain deeply rooted. The town’s landmarks are few, but both the main church, Santo Tomas Church (Iglesia de Santo Tomas), and the colorful cemetery serve dual purpose as Catholic and Maya religious sites. Most of the locals speak one of the 31 Maya languages as their first language and Spanish as a second language. English, to the extent it’s there at all, is mostly market English.

Chichicastenango, or Chichi, isn’t far from Antigua or Guatemala City as the quetzal flies, but it still takes a couple of hours to get there along windy and patchy mountain roads. You can either take a chicken bus or tourist shuttle. The latter costs a few dollars more and is less colorful, but it’s also more comfortable and quicker. One night is plenty, but be sure to arrive on a Wednesday or Saturday if you can.

Photos of Chichicastenango’s market

Vendor in straw hat and red shirt seated behind bundled firewood on whitewashed steps of Capilla del Calvario in Chichicastenango — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — A man selling firewood rests on the steps of Capilla del Calvario, a whitewashed church located in the center of Chichicastenango directly across from Santo Tomas Church. The vendor, wearing a straw hat and red shirt, sits behind a bundle of wood tied with green rope. He is waiting for customers in this indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Santo Tomas Church facade at dusk, white colonial front with decorative garlands, illuminated red umbrella below — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — A food vendor ladles out food under an illuminated bright red umbrella in front of the steps of Santo Tomas Church on a Saturday night before the famous Sunday market day. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Man in teal sweater vest and white shirt standing with green parrots perched on wooden display bar — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — A man poses with parrots. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly**

Two vendors preparing food under warm overhead lights in night market food stall, steam rising from griddle — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — Food vendors serve hot food at night before the famous Sunday market in Chichicastengo. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly**

Elderly Maya woman with silver hair and embroidered black blouse, direct gaze, flower vendor stalls behind — A Maya woman poses for a photo at the Chichi market. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly**

Rows of hand-painted wooden animal masks in vivid colors, displayed hanging on market stall in Chichicastenango — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — Colorful wooden masks for sale at the indigenous market in Chichicastenango, locally known as “Chichi.” The traditional Maya masks represent various characters and spirits used in ceremonial dances and rituals throughout Guatemala’s highland communities. Chichicastenango hosts one of Central America’s largest indigenous markets, drawing both locals and tourists on Thursdays and Sundays. Located approximately 90 miles (145 km) northwest of Guatemala City at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet (1,980 meters), this K’iche’ Maya town serves as an important cultural and commercial center in the Guatemalan highlands. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Market vendors beside open sacks of grains and seeds on wooden floor, shelves of packaged goods behind — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — Sacks of seeds and grains for sale at Chichi market. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Yellow chicken bus with decorative stripes and lettering navigating cobblestone street in Chichicastenango — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — A colorful chicken bus navigates through one of the busy streets in the northern end of downtown Chichicastenango, a highland indigenous Maya town known for its vibrant culture. Chicken buses, repurposed and brightly decorated former North American school buses, serve as the primary public transportation throughout Guatemala, connecting towns and villages across the mountainous terrain. Chichicastenango sits at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet (1,980 meters) in the Quiché department, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Guatemala City. The town is most famous for its traditional markets held on Thursdays and Sundays, which attract both locals and tourists seeking handcrafted textiles, wooden masks, and other indigenous crafts. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Bright sunbeam streaming through opening in dark covered market roof, silhouetted shoppers walking below — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — Sunlight streams through an opening in the covered market of Chichicastenango, locally known as “Chichi,” an indigenous Maya town situated in the Guatemalan highlands. Located approximately 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet, the town serves as an important cultural and commercial center in the region. Chichicastenango is widely renowned for its vibrant twice-weekly markets held on Thursdays and Sundays, where local K’iche’ Maya vendors sell traditional textiles, handicrafts, and produce. The markets attract both locals and tourists, offering a glimpse into the enduring indigenous traditions that have persisted in this highland community for centuries. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly**

Woman in traditional purple embroidered huipil holding cream-colored woven textile, patterned textiles hanging behind — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — A local woman poses with her woven textiles at the Chichi market. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Flower vendors in traditional dress holding yellow blooms amid ceremonial smoke on Santo Tomas Church steps — Women selling flowers in the Chichicastengo market. They are on the front steps of Santo Tomas Church and the smoke is from local Maya prayer leaders (known as chuchkajaues) burning incense and copal resin. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

Man in white straw hat and white shirt seated on yellow plastic crate against red brick wall and ironwork door — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — A man sits for a portrait on a street in Chichicastenango, an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands. Chichicastenango (also known as Santo Tomás Chichicastenango) is located about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Guatemala City at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet (1,980 meters). The town is renowned for its vibrant markets held on Thursdays and Sundays, which attract both locals and tourists seeking traditional Maya textiles, handicrafts, and produce. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Hillside cemetery in Chichicastenango with bright blue, green, and multicolored painted crosses and mausoleums — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — The colorful headstones and markers of Chichicastenango’s cemetery serve as both a Maya and Catholic burial ground. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet, and is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. The cemetery is filled with brightly painted crosses and mausoleums, reflecting the vibrant culture of the town. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Two young boys watch the performance as part of the Convite de 12 Dicembre in Chichicastengo. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel License this image at: Directly

Woman in vibrant red embroidered textile and man in straw hat standing against stone wall with turkeys below — A man and woman selling turkeys at the Chichi market. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly**

Crowded indoor produce market courtyard surrounded by pink two-story building, vendors displaying vegetables and greens below — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — Fresh fruits and vegetables for sale in as part of the Chichi Sunday market. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly**

Capilla del Calvario chapel with white stepped facade, colorful pennant banners radiating from peak, firewood vendor at base — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — A man selling firewood rests on the steps of Capilla del Calvario, a whitewashed church located in the center of Chichicastenango directly across from Santo Tomas Church. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Guatemala City at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet (1,980 meters). The town is renowned for its vibrant markets held on Thursdays and Sundays, which attract both locals and tourists seeking traditional Maya textiles, crafts, and produce. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Dense display of brightly painted wooden animal and mythical creature masks hanging at Chichicastenango market — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — Colorful wooden masks for sale at the indigenous market in Chichicastenango, locally known as “Chichi.” The traditional Maya masks represent various characters and spirits used in ceremonial dances and rituals throughout Guatemala’s highland communities. Chichicastenango hosts one of Central America’s largest indigenous markets, drawing both locals and tourists on Thursdays and Sundays. Located approximately 90 miles (145 km) northwest of Guatemala City at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet (1,980 meters), this K’iche’ Maya town serves as an important cultural and commercial center in the Guatemalan highlands. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Aerial view of indoor produce market in pink gymnasium courtyard, vendors and shoppers amid piles of fresh vegetables — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — Fresh fruit and vegetables are displayed for sale in Chichicastenango’s gymnasium as part of the famous Sunday market, one of Guatemala’s largest and most colorful indigenous markets. Chichicastenango (also known as “Chichi”) is an indigenous K’iche’ Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles (145 km) northwest of Guatemala City at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet (1,980 meters). The town hosts its renowned markets twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, drawing both locals and tourists to its vibrant displays of produce, textiles, handicrafts, and other goods. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Woman in orange shawl beside baskets of potatoes and carrots, children seated nearby in vegetable market — CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — Fresh fruit and vegetables are displayed for sale in Chichicastenango’s gymnasium as part of the famous Sunday market, one of Guatemala’s largest and most colorful indigenous markets. Chichicastenango (also known as “Chichi”) is an indigenous K’iche’ Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles (145 km) northwest of Guatemala City at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet (1,980 meters). The town hosts its renowned markets twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, drawing both locals and tourists to its vibrant displays of produce, textiles, handicrafts, and other goods. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly Alamy**

Market stall displaying hundreds of colorful thread skeins in rainbow arrangement for weaving, vendors browsing — Colorful threads for weaving available for sale at the Sunday market. Chichicastenango is an indigenous Maya town in the Guatemalan highlands about 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City and at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. It is most famous for its markets on Sundays and Thursdays. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel **License this image at: Directly**

CHICHICASTENANGO, Guatemala — A young boy sits on his father’s shoulders to watch a performance during the Convite de 12 Diciembre (December 12th Celebration) in Chichicastenango. This indigenous Maya town, known locally as “Chichi,” is situated in the Guatemalan highlands approximately 90 miles northwest of Guatemala City at an elevation of nearly 6,500 feet. Chichicastenango is widely recognized for its vibrant twice-weekly markets held on Thursdays and Sundays, where local K’iche’ Maya vendors sell traditional textiles, handicrafts, and produce. The Convite celebration typically features colorful costumes, traditional dance, and music as part of the town’s rich cultural heritage. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel License this image at: Directly