Chichicastenango Things to Do

When you are in Chichicastenango you have to go to the market - the biggest in Guatemala.
Here you can meet indians from many places who come to sell their products - you can really get anything, and it's very colorful and diverse.

On this link you can see what days they have the market:
http://www.travellog.com/guatemala/market.html

I found a video about the Chichicastenango market - click the link below.

Located on the opposite side of the Parque Central from the Iglesia de Santo Tomas, the Capilla del Calvario is a smaller whitewashed church in Chichi. This is another interesting site in Chichi and another diversion worthy of exploration from the hustle and bustle of the market. One can get a good view of the market spread out in the Parque Cental from the steps.

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Standing above the fray of the market on the east end of the Parque Central is the white washed Iglesia de Santo Tomas. Built in 1540 the church sits at the top of a series of stone steps that takes the visitor up and above the activity of the market. The lower steps serve as part of the market with flower vendors taking up most of the area. On most days (including Sunday which was the day we were there), church members burn incense and swing censers outside the front door at the top of the steps which provides a smokey scene. Going inside to observe locals worshipping and to admire the rather stark interior can be a welcome diversion from the crowded market. Photos are not allowed inside the church.

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This is the main reason for anyone's trip to Chichi. And there are two main reasons to some to the market. One is the collection of locally produced crafts from handwoven textiles to wood carvved masks. This is a great place to get those souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back hom. The second reason is the experience and see the indigenous peoples who are descendants of the Maya. Despite the flocks of tourists who come to the market, the majority of the people here are still the locals dressed in their colorful traditional clothes and going about their daily lives. Both of these reasons also make the market a photographer's dream with photo ops at every turn of the head. Be sure to bring a camera with lots of memory.

It's easy enough to get away from the tourists if you venture away from the craft stalls that predominate in the square in front of and to the north of the main church. The meat market is to the left from about the middle of the square as you look out from the steps of the church. The prepared foods, traje, and housewares are in the areas to the right of the main square.

Sundays also have the added attraction of seeing the procession of cofradias, or church officials, from the main church. You'll have to get to Chichi by 10am or so however to see the procession.

Market days are Thursdays and Sundays

The church of Santo Tomas is more than 400 years old and reflects the mixture of Catholic and indian Mayan beliefs. While Santo Tomas is officially a Catholic church, it is also used by Mayan shamans who burn candles and incense and perform their rituals either on the steps to the church or inside - the smoke takes away the bad spirits.

We didn't actually go to the cemetery for safety reasons, but it was visible from the outskirts of the market area. I zoomed in. I love the colours. A shame we couldn't check it out; cemeteries fascinate me!

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The main church of ChiChi is Santo Tomas, which dates back to 1540. Every since then, a mix of Mayan and Christian worship takes place here. The local Mayans near Chichi are the Kaqchikel and their presence goes way back, long before the arrival of the Spanish. The locals here do not hide the fact that there is just as much pagan influence on their local brand of religion as there is Catholic influence. The 18 steps that lead up to the front of the church represent the 18 months of the Mayan calendar (there are 18 months and 20 days in each month).

If you would like to visit the church, be sure not to enter through the main door at the top of the stairs leading off the square. This entrance is reserved for locals. You can go to the right side of the church and enter from the side door for a small fee. Inside, the church is sparse and appears to be right out of another time. The smell of incense is thick and the smoke in the air gives it a dark and other-worldly appearance.

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The cemetery in ChiChi is located down the hill on the western end of town. The colorful graves which are all above ground make for great photos. You'll also get interesting views up toward the main square up the hill. Take a little time to explore the graveyard, but be sure you're not here alone as it's one of the few isolated places in ChiChi.

Not far from here is the Shrine of Pascual Abaj, just outside of ChiChi on the hill near the cemetery. Local Mayans still come here to worship their Earth God offering incense, rum and cigarettes to their deity.