| Starting from: | $125per person |
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| Duration: | Day Trip |
| Languages: | English, Spanish |
| Starts at: | 2da Calle Poniente 2, Antigua, Guatemala |
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Chichicastenango, known as “Chichi” to locals, is an indigenous town in the Guatemalan Highlands where a kaleidoscope of colors, tradition, and life takes place. Its market, one of the largest in Central America, predates the Spanish arrival and still draws people from far and wide to trade fresh produce, handcrafted goods, vibrant textiles, and local delicacies.
We’ll walk through its lively streets, visiting the cemetery, a traditional mask workshop, and the historic Santo Tomás Church, built in 1540 over the base of an archeological pre-Colombian temple where Mayan and Catholic traditions blend in powerful harmony.
Open only on Thursdays and Sundays, the market is perfect for people-watching, tasting seasonal fruits like the original GUATEMALA BANANA, and trying PAN DE MUERTO “bread of dead”, a bread honoring the four elements of life to those that are no longer in this physical cosmos. You’ll be surrounded by colorful textiles and everyday scenes of Mayan life.
Our visit includes a look at traditional dance and costume making, followed by lunch served by a local family: TAMALES on Sundays or SAK’POR on Thursdays.
TAMALES: made of corn with meat and tomato sauce inside, wrapped into banana leaves and cooked with special wild leaves that contributes to a smoky flavor .
SAK’POR: This dish is made with natural and fresh foods, its main ingredients are chicken broth or chompipe, güicoy, güisquil, carrot and ground white corn flour or Sak’por, finely ground flavored corn flour, originally from Quiché, Chichicastenango.
Vegetarian/Vegan option available as well. Please let us know in advance.
| Departure |
Casa MandarinaCasa Mandarina is located at 2da Calle Poniente 2, Antigua |
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| Stop 1 |
Chichicastenango Mayan MarketIt will take us 3 hours by car to reach Chichicastenango with some stops along the way (bathroom break and coffee). Once we reach the historic Chichi, we will take some time to wander its cobblestone streets and colonial structures before visiting the market. Thereafter we will visit the sprawling commercial center and browse the ceramics, woodcrafts, textile and vegetable market. You will have plenty of time to shop and bargain along with sample tasting of food. |
| Stop 2 |
Iglesia de Santo Tomas and Calvary ChurchWhile we are at the market, we will proceed to Igesia de Santo Tomas (Church of Saint Thomas). This historic structure, built in 1540, often plays host to Mayan rituals. Just across the plaza is Calvary Church, a slightly more compact version of Iglesia Santo Tomas, which you’ll also have a chance to visit. |
| Stop 3 |
CemeteryOne of the world’s most colorful cemeteries, where each pigment is symbolic. Steeped in Mayan tradition, the vibrant rainbow of pigments celebrates the afterlife, and can symbolize different family roles, like a color-coded clue to the puzzle of the dead. You will see rows upon rows of painted crosses and tall mausoleums. The Chichicastenango Cemetery is a perfect example of Guatemala’s brighter outlook on burials. |
| Stop 4 |
LunchDelicious lunch will be served at a local family house along with drinks. Please let us know in advance for vegetarian or vegan option. |
| Stop 5 |
Mask FactoryThe vibrantly colored masks were carved to be sold as souvenirs but masks have been an integral of Guatemalan culture since pre-Colombian times when they were used for religious dance ceremonies. Over time, dances evolved to incorporate both Mayan and Spanish influences. The tradition continues today with indigenous groups performing masked dances that reenact religious and mythological themes, often centered around fertility or warding away evil. We will have a little show of what a traditional dance looks like. After the mask factory visit, we will head back to Antigua. |
What You’ll Experience
| Day Trip | |
| English, Spanish | |
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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.