Chichicastenango

Chichicastenango’s name means “town between nettles” and it is located 145kms from Guatemala City. It is one of the most visited tourist sites in Guatemala due to its cultural richness, the colorful market day and the own place’s syncretism. Besides K’iiche’, Spanish is also the spoken language in Chichicastenango. The local fair is celebrated from the 14^th to the 23^rd of December, December 21^st being the most important day in honor of Saint Thomas Apostle. During those days, tourists are able to witness the presentation of the different cultures alive in the town.

Discover Chichicastenango
Located in the highlands of Guatemala, the city offers an invaluable wealth of culture. It offers the visitor the great opportunity to submerge in the Mayan legacy, and be a witness of an incredible mystic experience. Also called Chichi by Guatemalans and foreigners, the best days to visit is Market days (Thursday and Sunday), and marvel with the color and syncretism of the place.

Tourist Office http://www.visitguatemala.com/en/discover.com

The closest tourist office to Chichicastenango is the one in Panajachel. Address: Main street, 0-87, zona 2 Panajachel, Solola

Tourist assistance phone number: 1500

Public Transportation

There are chicken buses from Guatemala City to Chichicastenango but we do not suggest you to use these transportation. There are also vans leaving from Antigua and Panajachel and you can easily visit Chichi from either place. In town you can take Tuk Tuks (three wheeled mototaxi). But since the town center is so small you will most likely not need transportation.

Highlights
The highligts of Chichicastenango are definitely the market days on Thursday and Sunday. Hoever other interesting sites are the Gucumatz Arch, Rossbacj regional museum, Santo Tomas Church, El Calvario Church, local cementery, Chichicastenango’s brotherhoods, and ceremonial masks museum.

The essentials of Chichicastenango:
1) Market day
2) Gucumatz Arch
3) Santo Tomas Church
4) Rossbacj Regional Museum
5) El Calvario Church

Market day
Main market days are Thursday and Sunday. On those market days the center is full of colors from all different areas of the region. Highlights are handmade crafts like textiles, wooden masks, ceramics, güipiles (Indian regional blouse), bracelets, earrings and other wooden handcrafts which are on display for sales.

Gucumatz Arch
Located north the urban area, the arch is built with edged stone. Its name comes from the figure made by the archaeologist Flavio Rodas Noruega of a snake eating a person.

Regional Rossback Museum
The museum consists in two large rooms. In these rooms you can appreciate the different pottery and clay sculptures and obsidian pieces coming from Mayan zones. It is also home of the Rossback collection which contains exceptional pieces of Jade jewelry. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm and from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Thursday from 8:00am to 4:00pm and Sundays from 8:00am to 2:00pm.

Santo Tomas Church
Santo Tomas Church was founded in the year 1540. It was built over a pre-Hispanic archeological site. In the interior there are beautiful pieces of Guatemalan colonial imagery. Catholic and ancient Mayan ceremonies are mixed inside the church. It possesses an 18 steps staircase that represents the 18 months in the Mayan calendar. In the staircase the Mayan priests burn incense. Most of the church’s altarpieces date from the XVII century. The Convent is a very important and historic place since it was the place where the sacred K’iche’s book, Popol Vuh, was found. It is also known as Monastery.

El Calvario Church
Located west of central Plaza of Chichicastenango, it has the same form and function as Santo Tomas Church. Since it is smaller is less visited. Inside the image of Jesus in the sepulcher is kept and people can witness the fire ceremonies and Mayan woman offering textiles and prays to pre-Hispanic gods.

Events in Chichicastenango
Thursday and Sunday are market days. A local fair dedicated to the local Saints is celebrated from December 14 - 21. During Holy Week there are also important celebrations.