I'm heading to Guatemala (first time) in January and trying to come up with an itinerary. I know everyone says the market in Chichicastenango is really interesting, but it would be more convenient to see a smaller one in Santiago near Lake Atitlan or possibly another one in that area instead. Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks.

I've been to Guatemala and Chichi 3 times . . . the last time, we were so unhappy with the market that we left early. The market has grown but the space available has not . . . to accommodate, they just made the aisles narrower . . . what that means is that you can hardly get up/down them to look at anything.

We were there before the tour buses arrived and it was already packed with locals. The problem is that they are fluffy (OK, they are fat) and if one person is standing at a stall looking at something, another person can't get by. Multiply that by lots of locals and a few of us (also fluffy) tourists and stopping, looking, trying to buy . . . buying on our part came to an end. Plus, as nice as they locals usually are, they tended to push and shove us out of the way. We felt beaten up. And . . . we didn't find that the prices were good, they were better and same or better quality in Panajachel.

When we go back, we think we'll try the market in Sololá, nearby.

I love Guatemala . . . there will always be a next time for me.

Buen viaje,
Sandy (in Denton)

Thanks for the quick response, Sandy. I looked up the market schedules, and it looks like we can catch one in Panajachel, Solola, or Santiago. My husband hates being in crowds, so one of these will probably work better based on what you're saying about the market in Chichi.

We didn't go to Chichi but we did go to Solola. We found the same terribly tight conditions. I am sure the smells were just as bad in places in Chichi as they were in Solola with baskets of fish just sitting there. To add to our discomfort, we were the only tourists there that day that we could see (seeing isn't too hard as the mayans are only about 4ft tall so you can see over them easily) and we were hounded by the same 4-5 women no matter where we went. We finally got to the edge where we could get into the shops where they would leave us alone. Unfortunately, they were waiting for us when we came out.

We spent a day touring the different villages on Atitlan and found that the shops on the main drag of Santiago had tons of stuff and you could get some good bargains without the crushing conditions of the market.

I am glad I went to the market at least once so I could really see the different colors of the villages that people came from and I guess to know the real Guatemala you have to experience their markets but it isn't anything that I would choose to do again.

PS
Sandy, thank you so much for you help on our trip planning for Guatemala. We enjoyed it so much that we are going back this Feb.

But folks - isn't the thronging crowd, and being pushed and shoved what an outdoor market is all about? And not just in Guatemala?

I don't recollect there being a "market" in Pana - just loads and loads of semi permanent stalls along the main street and in dedicated side alleys - all there for the tourist trade. There is a proper marketplace in Solola and Santiago.

Depends what you want. I nearly didn't go to Chichi - I am so glad I did - because despite much that is tourist targeted (and many semi permanent stalls too) it is still somewhere that the locals go to shop, and eat, and meet and socialise.

And getting there is half the fun.

My last time in Chichi was in the 80's so I can provide help there, but I've read this thread with interest since I'm heading back to Guatemala for my 5th visit this summer. You might be interested in this current thread on the Thortree Forum (you may have to copy and paste if the whole address isn't "live&quot. Happy trails!

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/me...d=0&from=2

Same question ... first time to Guatemala and want to hear comments about the different marketplaces.