Marvellous Markets

If you’ve booked your tickets and want a taster of what’s in store when you visit Antigua, there’s no better way to get the vibe of a city than by wandering it’s traditional markets. You’re in luck as Antigua has tons - from traditional Mayan textiles, to volcano tshirts. Haggling is welcomed everywhere but traders are friendly and not super-pushy.

To orient yourselves, we’ve picked three of our favourites….

Mercado de Artesanias

This is the one to start with if the colourful chaos of Guatemalan life needs to be headed into step by step! It’s massively colourful and vibrant but very orderly and neatly kept with a beautiful entrance. You’ll find vivid textiles, traditional blankets wooden masks, jade jewellery and woven purses. it’s a fascinating wander.

3a Avenida Norte, Antigua, Guatemala

Mercado del Carmen

Sitting next to the ruins of El Carmen church which itself is a marvel. Dating from 1728, its cracked columns provide the market with the most dramatic backdrop. It’s less crowded than other markets but if you have a specific item in mind you may have a hunt - its slightly chaoticlally laid out. On the flip side, the makes it a browsing pleasure. Good buys here are textiles pottery and jade.

3a Avenida Norte, Antigua Guatemala

Nim Po’t

Located near the much Instagrammed Santa Catalina Arch, Nim Po’t is an artisanal cooperative for Mayan traders. The crafts are arranged by region which makes this huge hall a mini cultural tour through the whole of Guatemala. Check out the huipils (traditional tunics) , cortes (Guatemalan skirt) and fajas (belts) Nim Po’t also has an huge array take-home and display nik naks including wood carvings, owl shaped money boxes and refrigerator magnets.

Nim Po’t 5a Avenida Norte