Guatemala · CHICHICASTENANGO MARKET TOURS
Twice a week — Thursday and Sunday — Chichicastenango hosts the biggest market in Central America. Most tours pair it with Lake Atitlán or the Iximché ruins to fill the day; the 15 below are compared on route, time actually at the market, and price.
Day trip from Antigua to Chichicastenango market, Santo Tomás rituals, and Panajachel lake views on Lake Atitlán.
“Information says that they will pick you up but they don't, the day before they tell you that you need to be in their office for the tour. Besides that, great tour guide”
Antigua day trip to Iximché ruins and Chichicastenango market, guided with hotel pickup, entrance fees, and Santo Tomas church.
“Our driver picked us up on time at our hotel in a late model vehicle, very comfortable. He was a good driver, and fluent in English as well as Spanish. It is a fairly long drive, but there are rest stops going and coming. The scenery is spectacular. We went on Sunday, market day in Chichicastenango, which is highly recommended - a huge colorful lively experience. Be sure to visit the food vendors inside also. Fantastic photo ops.”
A full-day tour from Guatemala City to Chichicastenango market and Lake Atitlan, with Mayan culture, Santo Tomás Church, and views.
“I did not sign up to be squished into a very uncomfortable van for over 10 hours and being driven around like cattle. The excursion lasted over 13 hours and we were walking/outside the van for maybe three of those hours. The guide barely talked the entire tour and the driver had a terrible attitude. I was made to drive to another hotel for pick up and later found out that another person staying at my same hotel was picked up there. I overall DO NOT recommend.”
Private 6am trip from Antigua to Chichicastenango markets and Iximche ruins, with a local guide, ride, and lunch time.
“El guía Moisés y conductor Marlon de lo mejor que me he encontrado. Su conocimiento de la ciudad y su gente es excelente y el trato espectacular.”
One day from Antigua to Chichicastenango for the big market, Santo Tomás syncretism, mask making, and a colorful cemetery in 6 hours.
“Reflexionando, considero que el precio del Tour es muy alto para sólo ser el transporte (sin guía y sin almuerzo). De regreso nos llevaron nuevamente a Antigua, pero con otro conductor. El regreso se sintió bastante inseguro. Este conductor, a diferencia del primero, tomaba las curvas muy rápido en una carretera que ya de por sí ya es bastante peligrosa por el número de curvas cerradas o con barridos de más de 120°.”
Full-day trip from Guatemala City to Chichicastenango market and Lake Atitlan, with Santo Tomás church rituals and scenic lake views.
“Urbano picked us up at the hotel and brought us back home. We picked up Celestino our tour guide at Antigua. They were both friendly and knowledgeable. You do spend apt of time in the car as it is far away, however it was worth the drive.”
Hike Indian Nose at sunrise near Lake Atitlán, then tour Chichicastenango markets with a guide and private transport for $60.
“This is a challenging hike tho well worth it. Waking up at 2:30 am and traveling with Salvatore was smooth and fun - It’s so beautiful - absolutely a must do while here”
One-day tour from Antigua to Iximché ruins and Chichicastenango market, plus Santo Tomás church and the Popol Vuh link. Culture and shopping.
“Fue un tour muy lindo, conocimos mucho sobre historia Maya y sus culturas, sus rituales, etc, en cuanto a Chichicastenango habían muchas personas, por ende es difícil movilizarse, sin embargo fue interesante entrar a la iglesia e ir al cementerio colorido”
Iximché ruins and Chichicastenango market in one long day, with hotel pickup, guide, and entrance fees included.
“Excellent experience; the guide knew a lot about the subject, and encouraged active dialogue, rather than monologues. Chichicastenango is a gem!Auto-translated”
Private day trip from Antigua to Chichicastenango market and Iximché ruins, A/C transport and guide, $95 per person.
“El día fue perfecto, sitios bonitos, pintorescos e históricos amenizados por un gran guía, Felix, que nos contó muchas cosas muy interesantes. Recomendable 100%”
Shared shuttle to Chichicastenango Market from Antigua or Panajachel. One-way rides, plenty of market time, and budget-friendly value.
“Quick and organized efficiently! They arrived to pick us up and drop off in time. Drive took only roughly 2 hours”
Full-day Guatemala City trip to Chichicastenango market and Santo Tomás Church, with lunch and a Lake Atitlán viewpoint stop.
“Christian es excelente guía y tiene mucho conocimiento. Es súper puntual. Referente al tour únicamente deben de especificar que no te llevan al lago y solo al mirados que no se alcanza a ver, del reto todo bien”
Private 10-hour trip from Guatemala City or Antigua to Chichicastenango, with Santo Tomás, Pascual Abaj, markets, and crafts.
“Ludwin was a great guide! He drove us (he is a very good driver!) to Chichicastenango and answered all our questions. We had a very nice trip. Chichicastenango is worth a visit, even for people with much experience in traditional markets, and that especially with Ludwin!”
Chichicastenango market day trip from Antigua with pickup, small group access, Santo Tomás church, cemetery offerings, and a mask shop.
“O melhor passeio na Guatemala para se ter contato direto com as tradições maias, ainda vivas em Chichi. O guia deu excelentes explicações sobre a cultura local, enquanto andávamos pelas ruas do mercado, pelas igrejas locais. Em Chichi vi a força do sincretismo religioso e tradições indígenas pulsantes e vivas! Passeio imperdível para quem vai à Guatemala!”
2 days from Antigua to Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan, with Santo Tomás rituals, a shared boat ride, and volcano views.
“Honestly I would not do this tour again. It would be easier to book in pieces by yourself. I thought that it was a group tour that stayed together for the two days but it isn’t. After the allotted time in chichicastenango I went back to the shuttle and found out it was going back to Antigua not Panajachel and so I got dropped off on the side of the road to a different shuttle. Day two of the tour ended up going smoothly but day one was a mess. Would all have gone much smoother if the company communicated ahead of time - wasn’t concerned when I thought everyone…”
Pick the day first; the region follows.
