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
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
