Location: Chichicastenango
Top Things to do in Chichicastenango
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The 7 Best Things to Do in Chichicastenango, Guatemala
Chichicastenango, also known as Santo Tomás Chichicastenango, is a town in the El Quiché department of Guatemala, known for its traditional K'iche' Maya culture. The Spanish conquistadors gave the town its name from the Nahuatl name used by their soldiers from Tlaxcala: Tzitzicaztenanco, or City of Nettles. Its original name was Chaviar.
Restaurants in Chichicastenango
1. Chichi Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
All the tombs are above ground at this cemetery which marks graves in a variety of ways, some with brightly colored miniature churches and others as mounds with name-bearing crosses or piles of fire-blackened rocks.
Reviewed By John B
We walked through this very colourful cemetery and learned a little about this history of Chichicastenango with our Guatemalan host as a guide.
The place is respectful and observant of the beliefs of the townspeople.
The only downside is the amount of litter on the ground.
There were some very thin stray puppies here, and I wish I had brought something for them to eat.
2. Santo Tomas Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Mayans enter through the front door, but others are relegated to the side door of this unusual 1540 church which combines Catholic and Mayan spiritual practices.
Reviewed By Travellover6128 - San Francisco, California
We had a guide who explained the history of this church, which was fascinating. It was wonderful to learn that the Mayan people and the Catholics share a church and have a joint service.
Loved the background to the Mayan alters and the ceremonies performed on these.
Free to enter and worth wondering around.
3. Mercado de Chichicastenango
Overall Ratings
4 based on 494 reviews
Thursdays and Sundays, this mountain village is transformed into the world's largest handicrafts market, where you'll find pottery, colorful textiles, carved wooden masks, flowers, incense and other Mayan goods for sale.
Reviewed By jaybeeFL - Florida
Drove over for the day from Lake Atitlan and were so glad we did. This market is huge and you will be amazed at the friendliness of the locals. The colors, flavors and smells of the products for sale are never ending. Homemade crafts, tasty sweet treats, roast Guinea pig...you name they got it! The main market is in front of St. Tomas church but it extends out from in every direction. It is predominantly a market for locals but is also a major tourist attraction as bus loads and private tours pour in to experience this extravaganza. If in Guatemala, don't miss it!
4. Pascual Abaj
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
This ancient and sacred shrine is lavished with offerings of food, candles and the occasional live chicken. It is hoped that these gifts, accompanied by prayer, will bring prosperity and good luck.
Reviewed By The B - Washington, DC
This was our second visit to the Pascual Abaj. Through the Pascual Abaj Museum we arranged for a spiritual leader to conduct a traditional Mayan ceremony for us. Through the explanation of each step of the ceremony we were better able to understand the beliefs of the Maya's that have been handed down generation to generation for hundreds and hundreds of years.
As our ceremony was performed other ceremonies were ongoing in the immediate vicinity all adding to an almost mystical feel that took you back in time to when the Maya were the rulers of the land that they still occupy.
Even if you do not arrange for a private ceremony hike to the top of the sacred hill and you hope to grab a glimps of Mayan life.
5. Museo de Mascaras Ceremoniales
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Maxime L
This little museum is on the way to Pascual Abaj. It's small, but the owner will give you a wonderful tour of the mask gallery. A very charming visit, with plenty of amazing masks.
6. Museo Arqueologico Rossbach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By r0landbrunner - Zurich, Switzerland
there are three rooms in this museum, but only one has archeological findings. they are exposed behind glass in bit wardrobes, with hardly any light so see them properly. still there are some really great pieces and it was worth the 30 minutes to go through.
7. Casa Tzocoma
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
The initiative of this project is to present the culture of the people of Chichicastenango through the preservation and exhibition of indigenous crafts and costumes.Tzocoma home is a Maya altar and is one of the four major Mayan altars in the village north corresponding point; according to the 4 cardinal points in the Maya cosmology
