Chichicastenango

Experience Guatemala’s mixture of Mayan influences and living culture on this full-day tour of Iximché and Chichicastenango. Learn about Mayan history from your knowledgeable guide as you explore the archeological site of Iximché. In Chichiscastenango, discover its main attraction, the local open-air market, where you can browse wood products, ceramics and more. You’ll also see the Iglesia de Santo Tomas (Church of Santo Tomas) and the Calvary Church, located in the main plaza.

Today is market day in Chichicastenango! On your way to Chichicastenango stop at El Mirador of Lake Atitlan for a panoramic view of the lake, one of the most beautiful in the world, with its crystalline-azure waters in the crater bowl below. Continue to Chichicastenango to visit the most colorful and picturesque Indian open-air market in Guatemala. Hundreds of Indians from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods and products.

Our shared tourist shuttle transportation will bring you between Antigua, Guatemala OR Panajachel (Lake Atitlan) and Chichicastenango. This highland market is THE BIGGEST in Guatemala, and you can not only browse for handicrafts and see market life, but you can also learn about Mayan spirituality in one of the only Catholic churches in the world that allows non-Catholic religious practices to take place. Chichicastenango is a unique location. You can hire a guide through us (please contact us directly) to give you an explanation of the cemetery, market, and church, or explore on your own. The trip can be approximately 3 hours between Antigua and Chichicastenango, or a bit over 1 hour from Panajachel. We will drop you at your accommodation location , and transport you to/from a meeting point in Chichicastenango (Hotel Santo Tomas). If you would like to continue on from Chichicastenango to a different destination than your starting point, please contact us.

At Chichicastenango Maya Market you will witness ancient Indian rituals at the Santo Tomas Church,also enjoy the picturesque outdoor market where locals from the region gather to buy and sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, animals, textiles and handicrafts.

Our adventure starts at 6:00 am with our team picking you up at your hotel. The transportation service included in this tour is private, exclusively for you and your companion or group. All our vehicles are recent models with A/C, reclinable seats, and a cooler on board. The guide will accompany you along the tour to share the fascinating history and secrets of these destinations. The detailed itinerary goes as follows: 07:00 am – Antigua hotel pick up 09:30 am – Arrival at Chichicastenango and tour at the village visiting the following places: Market, churches and typical stores 12:30 pm – Tour ending and free time to have lunch (meal not included in price) 02:00 pm – Transfer from Chichicastenango to Iximche 03:30 pm – Arrival at Mayan ruins and tour 05:00 pm – Transfer from Iximche to Antigua Guatemala 06:30 pm – Arrival at Antigua

This full day tour takes you to Guatemala’s most famous market. This market is a traditional indigenous Quiche market, and includes a walk to the cemetery and Paschal Abaj, the Shaman Hill. You are likely to witness a sacred Fire Cleansing Ceremony conducted by a Mayan shaman. Learn about the Mayan story of creation, the Mayan ceremony, the base-20 counting system, and the 5,000 year-old Mayan calendar. Even visit the Mayor's office.

Enjoy and discover the colorful market day of Chichicastenango! This is an unique experience that you will see how is the local people live and doing their activities in the market days. The real Mayan culture is still live. Also since their typical dress till the Mayan language that they speak.

Along the way areas will be observed wooded and there is a valley where a variety of vegetables are grown, as well as fruits and vegetables grown by the local population. Upon arriving at chichicastenango begins the walking tour in the beautiful and colorful market and visits the Church of Santo Tomás, built in 1540 on the base of a pre-Hispanic archaeological temple, considered Colonial architecture. The next destination you will discover history and culture in the mystical ruins of Iximche, the last capital of the Mayans. enjoy of views of the indigenous western highlands of Guatemala. A Once you arrive, you will be amazed at this peaceful site. Iximche, who means "place of the sacred corn trees", it is exuberant and vibrant. During your tour, your knowledgeable guide will lead you around the site and will explain the many myths, legends and facts that surround the Mayans.

Experience Guatemala’s mixture of Mayan influences and living culture on this full-day tour of Iximché and Chichicastenango. Learn about Mayan history from your knowledgeable guide as you explore the archeological site of Iximché. In Chichiscastenango, discover its main attraction, the local open-air market, where you can browse wood products, ceramics and more. You’ll also see the Iglesia de Santo Tomas (Church of Santo Tomas) and the Calvary Church, located in the main plaza.

This full day tour takes you high into the mountains above Lake Atitlan on a strenuous hike ending in Solola. Explore the village of Santa Cruz la Laguna and visit the indigenous market in Solola. Hike through maize fields, coffee fields, old growth forest, and into the cloud forest. Visit a sacred Mayan site with the change to see Shaman performing Fire Ceremony. Hike ends in Solola with time to explore the market, then transfer to Panajachel and back to Antigua. Very strenuous hike.

Our tour to Chichicastenango offers a unique experience that combines culture, tradition and spirituality. Explore one of Central America’s most vibrant markets, visit the Church of St. Thomas, and discover the art behind traditional masks. In addition, the tour includes a stop at the colorful local cemetery, reflecting fascinating Mayan traditions. With convenient transportation, you will enjoy an authentic immersion in the cultural richness of the Guatemalan highlands. Book now and live this unforgettable experience!

Panajachel is a great place to start a journey to the stunningly beautiful and culturally vibrant Chichicastenango. Located only a short drive away through the breathtaking natural landscapes of the western highlands of Guatemala, Chichicastenango is home to the famous Santo Tomas Church, an iconic colonial structure with bright white walls and stairs at its base where many devotees burn incense, bring flowers, and show their gratitude. Upon arriving in Chichicastenango, you will be amazed by the number of colors, textiles, street traditional food, and all kinds of sales in the market. We will visit the indoor and outdoor market, make stops to buy if you wish, and learn about the great history of this market, its people, its traditions, and its religion. Afterward, we will visit the Santo Tomas Church, and at the end of the day, we will go to the Pascual Abaj Hill, where if we are lucky, we´ll see a traditional Mayan ceremony.

A nice experience to be involved with the Mayan people when the environment turns full of colors, mystical ambiance in the Mayan church, ceremonies, and full of products for locals and visitors. Also to have the experience of seeing close Mayan rituals in the cemetery and religious petitions to the deaths in the underworld. You will have the opportunity with our experienced guides to discover and learn deeply about the Mayan culture. Together with lake Atitlan two of the most amazing destinations in Guatemala. Take the oportunitty don't loose it. NOTE: The concept of private means that vehícule is private for costumers from Viator, Guate Tours. That means could be shared but not large groups. If you really need a private tour just you, please contact to your agent, prices are not the same.

Chichicastenango (local refers to it as Chichi) is an indigenous town in the Guatemalan Highlands where a kaleidoscope of colors takes place, is one of the largest markets in Central America, locals who come far and wide to buy and sell products also visit their loved ones in the cementary, yes we will visit the cementary. The market is full of vegetables, fruits, handcrafts, textiles, artifacts, street food.One of our principal visits is the artisanal traditional mask factory and Santo Thomas church (built in 1540) over the base of an archeological pre-Colombian temple, where we will experience the Guatemalan syncretism. We will explore the city by walking but also tasting fruits of the season like the traditional and original type of GUATEMALA BANANA as well as the traditional PAN DE MUERTO ‘bread of dead”. The bread is offered up honoring the four elements of life to those that are no longer in this physical cosmos.Our lunch will be served by the local family for all type of dietary

The tour of the Guatemalan highlands is a contrast of nature and unique culture, our first point to visit is the Chichicastenango Handicrafts Market, which is only held on Thursdays and Sundays, in the place we will know the daily life of the Mayan Quichés, thus Even the respective time for shopping for handicrafts is very important, in the afternoon the visit is to the town of Panajachel, to have lunch and have a panoramic view of the beautiful Lake Atitlán that was formed just over 85,000 years ago and is now guarded by three imposing volcanoes, at the end the return to Guatemala City begins.

Visit to the most important handicrafts market in the western region where syncretism can be visualized on a large scale since the local people have preserved their Mayan beliefs which are mixed with Catholic practices, this place is multicolored since the Quiché people He still wears his regional costume, on our visit it is contemplated to enter the morerías, the market, the Santo Tomas church and the Turkaj hill where the Maya Pascual Abaj shrine is located, we will have time for lunch and shopping, at the end we begin the return to Guatemala city.

We invite you to enjoy this great experience where you can share with the local indigenous people in this colorful market full of fresh and freshly cut fruits and vegetables directly from the orchard to the market and to complete this experience we will visit Panajchel, where you will enjoy the majestic views that we offers the most beautiful lake in the world. Travel with us we guarantee you a great experience.

The tour of the Guatemalan highlands is a contrast of nature and unique culture, our first point to visit is the Chichicastenango Handicrafts Market which is mounted only on Thursdays and Sundays, in the place we will know the daily life of the Quichés Mayas, so the same time for handicraft purchases is very important, in the afternoon the visit is to the population of Panajachel, for lunch and have a panoramic view of the beautiful lake of Atitlan that formed just over 85,000 years and that is now guarded by three imposing volcanoes, at the end the return to Guatemala City begins.

Visit several of Guatemala’s Spanish colonial towns and modern-day Mayan villages on this 5-day tour with an informative and entertaining guide, including round-trip transport from Guatemala City. You’ll learn about local history and culture amid gorgeous natural surroundings, with a boat ride across the volcanic region of Lake Atitlán. Be amazed by the diversity of daily customs, crafts and clothing in Antigua, Chichicastenango, Panajachel and Santiago Atitlán!

Discover the vibrant culture of Chichicastenango, a highland town bursting with color and tradition. Interact with locals in authentic Mayan attire as you explore one of Latin America’s largest and most historic outdoor markets, a trading hub since pre-Columbian times. Next, visit the beautiful town of Panajachel, the most popular destination around Lake Atitlán. Stroll along its lively main street, explore the town’s dock, and enjoy stunning views of the sparkling lake and its mesmerizing volcanoes. This unforgettable journey combines rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking scenery!