The Highlands Feature

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

Comalapa: 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

Patzún: textiles, produce, livestock. Tuesday, Sunday

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 Clara La Laguna: textiles, produce. Sunday

Santa Cruz del Quiché: produce, livestock. Thursday

Santiago Atitlán: textiles. Friday

Sololá: produce, some textiles. Friday

Tecpán: textiles, produce. Wednesday, Sunday

Todos Santos Cuchumatán: produce. Thursday, Saturday

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

Zacualpa: produce. Thursday, Sunday

Zunil: textiles. Monday