Private Tour
Chichicastenango Market Day Tour from Panajachel
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
This full day tour takes you to Guatemala’s most famous market.
This market is a traditional indigenous Quiche market, and includes a walk to the cemetery and Paschal Abaj, the Shaman Hill. You are likely to witness a sacred Fire Cleansing Ceremony conducted by a Mayan shaman. Learn about the Mayan story of creation, the Mayan ceremony, the base-20 counting system, and the 5,000 year-old Mayan calendar. Even visit the Mayor's office.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Pascual Abaj
A small hill on the outskirts of Chichi. There are ceremonial areas at the top, and a mask museum at the entrance.
Plaza y Mercado Santo Tomas
The market is in the center of town.
What‘s Included
Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan or coach
Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located Panajachel hotels only)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Chichicastenango plus Utatlan
Round trip transportation from Panajachel, 5 hours guided tour of the market, church, and cemetery. Add on a visit to the Mayan site Utatlan, ancestral home of the Quiche.
Chichicastenango Market Tour
Round trip transportation from Panajachel, 5 hours guided tour of the market, church, and cemetery.
Reviews
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Chicicastenango tour - ride from Pana is over 1.5 hours
Smita D,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Manuel gave us a great tour of the market, churches and cemetery - as well as many lovely insights into Mayan life. The van ride from our hotel was almost 2 hours going there - and 1.5 hours coming back - which was misrepresented as 1 hour.
A colorful day in Chichicastenango
Winfried H,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We were picked up on time at the hotel. The bus journey took about 75 minutes. In Chichicastenango we were expected by our guide. He showed us around friendly and waited when we took photos. We were lucky enough to be there on the day of the Fiesta San Tomas and then for the procession. Manuel led us into the middle of it. Even if the crowd was large - it couldn't be more authentic. It was a wonderful experience.
Wonderful visit 12 years later!
janeandroger99,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We’re back 12 years later to visit Lake Atitlan and show friends how beautiful and this area is. Lee and Elaine Beal are effortlessly gracious and accommodating as always. Lee advised and helped arrange tours to San Juan, Chichicastenango, and Solola. All our guide/hosts, Alex, Mike, and Ervin were very personable and knowledgeable. We enjoyed them as much as the tour itself. We stayed at the Los Elementos bungalows- they have gotten better over the years, but still retained that special hideaway ambiance. Time passes, and the communities around the lake seem to be doing better. We are happy that our favorite people Lee and Elaine are staying put with a warm welcome and friendly visit at the end of the day.
Fantastic Day and Experience
juliegilmore7,Jun 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved our tour. We were picked up by our guide in Panajachel and taken to Chichi. We had plenty of time for the market, cemetery, churches, and lunch. We would have been very overwhelmed and lost without a guide in the market because it is so big and there are so many sections. Our guide was patient with our shopping and indecisions. He also was really knowledgeable and we learned so much about things on the tour and also the Guatemalan culture. We loved our time with Manuel and highly recommend the tour.
Manuel was a fantastic...
Stephanie K,May 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Manuel was a fantastic guide. We enjoyed our time at the market and getting to know him and his culture. He was very thoughtful and we all had a great time. The only downside was this was listed as a "private tour" and we did end up having others with us both in the shuttle and the tour but it wasn't an issue as the group was easy going.
We had a great time....
Simone B,Apr 17, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time. Emanuel did an amazing job and we definitely recommend this tour to anyone. He was very honest and authentic and asked for our personal preferences and adapted the tour to our interests and needs.
Chichicastenango Market has become a Tourist Trap of Fake Artisan Products
Antigua G,Apr 10, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Chichicastenango Market Days which are Thursday and Sundays becoming an overcrowded Tourist event which has driven the local Artisans away from the market. On these days you can hardly walk through the market the crowds are so bad. I recommend going on non Tourist Market days. You will find the local Artisans have returned on these days and you will find authentic works of art, weaving and wood works.
Related Experiences
Operated by Los Elementos Adventure Center & Day Spa