Spend an afternoon experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of Panajachel Municipal Market. Chat with friendly stall owners and purchase typical Guatemalan wares and made-for-tourist souvenirs. Mingle with a mix of locals and tourists as you wander between the market stalls.
Discover shops packed floor to ceiling with brightly colored merchandise. Check out the traditional attire of the stall owners and visiting families. Meet women dressed in embroidered cortes (skirts) and huipils (blouses). The traje (traditional dress) of indigenous men includes cowboy hats and colourful pants.
The market is a great place to purchase keepsakes. Find everything from hammocks and woollen hats to embroidered bags, pillow cases and shawls. Browse for ceramics, jewellery, leather goods and woodcarvings. You might also stumble upon a one-of-a-kind framed artwork. Bargaining for goods is customary so prepare to engage in price battles.
Don’t miss the fresh produce stands, stacked with fruits and vegetables. There are also flower sellers and butchers. If you aren’t in the mood to shop then simply stand back and enjoy some people-watching. Be sure to have your camera ready to take photos of the market’s lively activity and vivid colours.
Panajachel Municipal Market is open daily. Located just north of Panajachel’s town centre, it’s easy to get here on foot or via a low-cost tuc tuc (three-wheeled taxi).
After visiting the market you might want to visit the town’s other major attractions. Admire the architecture and intricate carvings of the nearby Church of St. Francis. Stroll along vibrant Calle Santander, lined with street vendors, bars and restaurants. Walk to the town’s waterfront, gaze across placid Lake Atitlán and marvel at pretty sunsets. Join a boat trip to lakeside villages such as Santiago Atitlán and San Pedro la Laguna.
