Markets

Antigua has a long history of markets and though I was looking for a different picture, this drawing by Frederick Catherwood from 1841 shows the Central Park (it is a view looking South and you can see the Palacio del Capitanes General and the Cathedral on the left) where Mayans from surrounding areas have come to trade for centuries.

As you undoubtedly know, Catherwood was down here accompanying John Lloyd Stephens in order to document the extraordinary culture of Central America. Now there is some amazing shopping to be done today, but who could pass up trying to buy the ruins of Copan for $50? You can read all about their fun times in the book Stephens wrote, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucutan. We have a copy so feel free to ask to borrow it. (side note: even though the current expedition has not involved visits to any Mayan ruins, Most Senior and Junior Senior member have visited dozens of them in the past and strongly recommend including them on any Guatemalan itinerary - even if you have to come back again).

As you have seen, the Central Park is quite different today. There are some vendors walking around selling jewelry and weavings and candy but it is not a true market location anymore. Over the years, vendors have set up in various locations around the city and the city has had varying levels of tolerance for these markets. Today, the primary artisan markets are in two locations - one in a modern open building by the bus station and one next to the ruins of La Iglesia Carmen. 

 

 However, on weekends the vendors spill onto the street in front of Carmen and it feels like a more traditional market.

Finally, when looking for pizza with a little more local flair than Dominos, might we suggest you try La Bicicleta de Juancho Pizza y Bar...they deliver too.