Chichicastenango, Guatemala: travel guide
K'iche' Maya town, famed for its market and Santo Tomás church
K'iche' Maya town in Quiché famous for its huge twice-weekly market and the syncretic Santo Tomás church.
About Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango is a K'iche' Maya town in the highlands of Quiché, set among hills and known for a market that fills its streets twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays. Textiles, masks, ceramics, flowers and produce spill across the plazas, and the scene is as much local as it is for visitors.
On the steps of the Iglesia de Santo Tomás, incense burns and prayers blend Catholic and Maya traditions, an unusual and memorable sight. Nearby you can walk to the hilltop shrine of Pascual Abaj, visit the colourful cemetery, or look into the small Capilla del Calvario.
Chichicastenango suits travellers interested in culture, crafts and photography, and is usually visited as a day trip or an overnight from Lake Atitlán or Antigua. Market days are the main reason to go, and the dry season from November to April is the most comfortable.
- Country
- Guatemala
- Currency
- GTQ
- Time zone
- America/Guatemala
Last updated
Top places to visit in Chichicastenango
Iglesia de Santo Tomás
colonial · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
White colonial church (c.1540) whose front steps host Maya incense-burning rituals blending Catholic and K'iche' worship.
Pascual Abaj
maya-shrine · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop Maya shrine with a blackened stone idol where K'iche' priests still perform offerings and ceremonies.
Chichicastenango Market
indigenous-market · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the largest indigenous markets in the Americas, held Thursdays and Sundays, spilling through the streets with textiles, masks, pottery and produce.
Capilla del Calvario
chapel · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
White chapel facing Santo Tomás across the market square, likewise a focus of Maya-Catholic candle and incense rituals.
Chichicastenango Cemetery
cemetery · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Hillside cemetery of brightly painted tombs whose colours signal family lineage; a vivid expression of local Maya tradition.
Things to do
- Chichicastenango Market Guided Tour Cultural · 3 h · from GTQ 150 per person
Where to stay in Chichicastenango
- Centro (near market) about GTQ 450 per night
Around the market and Santo Tomás church, ideal for early market mornings.
Hotels
- Mayan Inn 4-star
- Hotel Santo Tomás 4-star
Where to eat
- Casa San Juan Guatemalan, International · about GTQ 95 per person
- Tziguan Tinamit Guatemalan · about GTQ 65 per person
Getting to Chichicastenango
Nearest airport: Guatemala City (GUA), about 74 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Tuktuk
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Photo fees and pushy vendors
Chichicastenango market
Vendors may demand money for photos or aggressively pressure sales; some ceremonies forbid photography.
How to avoid it: Always ask before photographing people or rituals and be ready to decline politely.
More in Guatemala
Frequently asked questions about Chichicastenango
- What are the main places to visit in Chichicastenango?
- Places covered in our Chichicastenango guide include Iglesia de Santo Tomás, Pascual Abaj, Chichicastenango Market, Capilla del Calvario, Chichicastenango Cemetery.
- Where should I stay in Chichicastenango?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Chichicastenango: Centro (near market).
- How do I get around Chichicastenango?
- Ways to get around Chichicastenango covered in our guide: Tuk-tuk, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Chichicastenango?
- Scams reported to us for Chichicastenango include Photo fees and pushy vendors. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.