Market Days in the Highlands

Market Days in the Highlands

Market Days in the Highlands

Believe it or not, highland markets mean more than Thursday and Sunday in Chichicastenango. Most towns hold a market one or two days a week, drawing buyers and sellers from miles around. None are as famous to the outside world as Chichi's, but you'll feel like a real insider, for example, knowing that the twice-weekly market in Momostenango is the place to go for good buys on blankets. Others have nothing you'd be interested in buying; colorful though Nebaj's Thursday affair is, you'll likely not want to cart a hen home, even if she is a prolific egg layer. Vendors at lesser-known markets rarely see outsiders; all will be amused to welcome an obvious visitor. Show an interest, strike up a conversation, make a new friend or two, and always ask permission before you take photos of individuals.

Almolonga: produce. Wednesday, Saturday

Chajul: produce, some textiles. Tuesday, Friday

Chichicastenango: souvenirs, textiles, produce, livestock. Thursday, Sunday

Chimaltenango: souvenirs, textiles, produce. Monday, Friday

Compalapa: textiles, produce, livestock. Tuesday

Huehuetenango: textiles, produce, livestock. Wednesday

Momostenango: woolens, blankets, produce, livestock. Wednesday, Sunday

Nebaj: produce, livestock. Thursday, Sunday

Olintepeque: livestock. Tuesday

Panajachel: produce, livestock. Thursday

Quetzaltenango: produce, livestock, some textiles. First Sunday of month

Sacapulas: produce, livestock, some textiles. Thursday

Salcajá: textiles, produce, livestock. Tuesday

San Andrés Xecul: produce, livestock. Thursday

San Francisco El Alto: produce, livestock, some textiles. Friday

San Lucas Tolimán: textiles, baskets. Tuesday, Friday

Santa Cruz del Quiché: produce, livestock. Thursday

Santiago Atitlán: textiles. Friday

Sololá: produce, some textiles. Friday

Todos Santos Cuchumatán:produce. Thursday, Saturday

Totonicapán: toys, ceramics, produce, livestock. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Zacualpa: produce. Thursday, Sunday

Zunil: textiles. Monday