"Artesania tipica y de todo lo relacionado a imagines" was the speciality of this shop.
I paid a fair $100 plus a little extra I gave to the artesan.
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 | "La Indita 2": Marimba    |  | |
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 |  on January 18, 2006 |
Initially this shop just seemed special because they had a Marimba and offered to sell it at a very good price. After I explained that it was for an elementary school and I wanted it to show that it was from Guatemala without being flashy they offered to wood burn some decoration. Later they decided on their own that this would not be nice enough and called the carver you see in the picture to make the decorations. When I arrived to pickup my purchase he was there to affix his work to my marimba. The people of the store then helped me pack it so I could actually carry it by myself and even drove me to the bus station. "Artesania tipica y de todo lo relacionado a imagines" was the speciality of this shop. I paid a fair $100 plus a little extra I gave to the artesan. |
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| At the Market Negotiate the Best Price | | |
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 |  on March 3, 2003 |
Everything is the market has a negotiable price. Ask the vendor how much something costs-" ¿Cuanto cuesta? Whatever that price is start about about one fourth that number and give and take. Do not pick something up unless you are truly interested in it. Also, don't negotiate on anything you don't intend on buying. Guatemala is noted for its colorful textiles and for its jade jewelry. Most items negotiated in a market can be purchased for less than a quarter of what they would cost in a modern department store in the US or Europe. |
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| Any tourist town sells them.: Handmade clothes are Guatemalas claim to fame | | |
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 |  on August 21, 2005 |
Guatemalan shops in any of the tourist destinations sell some excellent woven cotton fabrics and clothes, among other things. The embroidered fabrics for women's clothes are the highest achievement and are worth bargaining a high price for. I was concerned about whether the colors would bleed or fade in the cotton shirts I bought. But, they have survived the test of the washing machine numerous times, and really, the shrinkage isn't that bad either. I have a long body, so the main problem is the shrinkage that way, so I bought shirts slightly larger and longer than normal anticipating that since they are 100% cotton, some shrinkage is inevitable. These are the traditional style handwoven cotton fabrics. I didn't see much advantage of buying the discounted factory made shirts. Most of what one finds in the men's and fashion shops are second quality, lower thread count rejects from the world market of shirts. While T-shirts can be bought at any tourist trap, I suppose, I think the best souvenir from Guatemala is a handmade garment. I also bought a cotton fabric jacket that has survived the washing machine and dryer. Shirts are typically seven to twelve dollars. The jacket was a steal at twenty five bucks. These are excellent prices given the quality. Heavily hand embroidered fabrics, having pictures of birds or other objects, for women still sell for under $100- but are worth much more in the USA. |
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| At Any market: Don't shop, barter | | |
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 |  on April 22, 2006 |
The marketplace is definitely a significant component of Guatemalan culture. Chichicastenango, dubbed “The most colorful native market in the Americas” was an enormous disappointment. Yes, it is probably the largest market in Guatemala, but the bartering is a little trickier because of the vast array of potential consumers. Market days are Sundays and Thursdays, if you are so inclined to go. I strongly suggest that anyone who is planning on making some market purchases should travel to the markets in Antigua and Panajachel. They are most noteworthy for exceptionally beautiful and quality artwork at bargain basement prices. Other items of interest are handmade traditional Mayan clothing Men’s and women’s attire is vividly vibrant and lively. Inexpensive hand carved masks are specifically made for local Mayans to keep in their homes and help deliver their prayers to God. These colorful wooden masks consist of various depictions of animals. Additionally, on the unfamiliar side of their indigenous religion, Satan is alive and well and is also uniquely depicted in an array of carvings. I myself found hand carved wooden flutes to also be rather alluring; one in particular had Guatemala’s national bird, the Quetzal carved into it. I purchased it for a couple $US. Please be advised that you can barter any merchant down by at least 50% at any market. |
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| Market Chichicastenango, masks | | |
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 |  on December 13, 2006 |
At the Chichicastenango market just opposite the Iglesia de santo Tomas I saw this streetstall with many masks. Almost every mask looked different. I don´t know if the masks ahve a meaning. There are of wood. So you can easily take them as souvenir. |
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| Market Chichicastenango, pottery | | |
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| on December 13, 2006 |
I am a pottery addict and yes at the markets of Guatemala I saw lots of pottery like here close to the steps of the Iglesis de Santo Tomas in Chichicastenango. Because we travelled by public bus and had still weeks to go before going back home I didn´t buy anything. |
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| Colourful cloth | | |
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| on December 13, 2006 |
The most strriking thing to buy inGuatemala is the indigenous colourfull cloth. You will find them at every market, but also at the public beach at the lake Atitlan in Panajachel women came by to offer the clothes. I bought several pieces of the colourfull cloth, not only in red colours, but also blue, green,purple and other colours. At home I made a jacket of one of the pieces. They are also nice as bedcover or as cover for cushions. |
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| mercado de artesania, handicraft market: shopping in antigua | | |
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 |  on August 10, 2004 |
local craft at the best, you can see and touch the handicraft. open from 9am to 6pm souvenirs, craft ask for a discount always, maybe 25 % at least |
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| tikal futura mall: shopping in guatemala city | | |
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| on October 30, 2004 |
tikal futura could be the best mall in town, but spensed, try a KOREAN mall just in front of tikal futura...you will find the same item but cheaper. located at Miraflores. Another colorfull option is the Mercado de artesanias, where is lots of souvenirs and tipical clothes. it is located at zona 13, near the airport SOUVENIRS |
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| Some of the items we bought...: Chichicastenango prices! | | |
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 |  on December 4, 2003 |
Chichicastenango is a very well known market in Guatemala... The only thing it is a litlle bit touristic as well... So prices will depend on the way you look, you capacity of negociation and your spanish... Local craft... Here are some prices for some items we bought: The nice red cover in the picture was bought for 150 quetzales... 7 holes woody candle basis for 30 quetzales... And the big pillows cases for 25 quetzales each... We probably could have gotten them a little bit cheaper... but it would have been a little bit too much... Some need more the money than we do... Just one advice, don't listen to the first price, and cut it by 50% right away to have a good basis for negociation... |
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More Guatemala Tips
| Overview | General Tips Tips: 177 - Photos: 128 |
| Restaurants Tips: 70 - Photos: 40 | Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 120 - Photos: 128 |
| Things To Do Tips: 374 - Photos: 538 | Nightlife Tips: 30 - Photos: 6 |
| Off the Beaten Path Tips: 96 - Photos: 120 | Tourist Traps Tips: 15 - Photos: 5 |
| Warnings or Dangers Tips: 61 - Photos: 25 | Transportation Tips: 65 - Photos: 49 |
| Local Customs Tips: 51 - Photos: 34 | Packing Lists Tips: 18 - Photos: 7 |
| Shopping Tips: 21 - Photos: 24 | Sports Travel » Add a tip now |
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