Where to find the best goodies to bring home – Chichicastenango Market vs Solola Market

Where to find the best goodies to bring home – Chichicastenango Market vs Solola Market

Chichi or Solola. Everyone’s got a different opinion and you may be reading mixed reviews wondering what is the best use of your time. Let’s talk frankly one gringo to another. The truth is that it depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Each market has its merits as well as drawbacks.

Chichicastenango market is huge and full of locals and tourists. Over the years this market has become more and more touristy all the while hanging on to Mayan tradition. Allow me to explain. Walking around in the market you will see people dressed in their typical traje selling the traditional hand-crafted clothing and purses, wood-carved masks and decorations, incense and candles amongst the usual touristy Read more

Newest, Nicest Mall in Guatemala City – Oakland Mall

Newest, Nicest Mall in Guatemala City – Oakland Mall

If you are in need of a North American shopping trip then head to the newest shopping mall in Guatemala City, Oakland Mall, located at 11 Avenida Diagonal 6, Zona 10.

The Oakland Mall has all the shops you would expect to see in a North American mall: North Face, Claire’s, Pizza Hut, the I Shop and more. The mall is three stories tall, has an indoor Merry-Go-Round for the kiddies, and enough kiosk stands that you will find everything you need, and everything you don’t within the Oakland Mall’s interior.

One of the nicest parts about the newest addition to the slew of malls in Guatemala City is that the bookstores at Oakland Mall contain a number of books Read more

The Gringo Shares His Little Black Book…

We interrupt this tour of Guatemala City to share with you an important update from the Guatemala Gringo and his other Gringo affiliate sites (see the blogroll)…

The Gringo has worked to create a system that puts readers in touch with valuable people in Guatemala and other Latin American countries. If you need an English speaking driver, real estate information, legal services and so on, all you need to do is this:

Click on this link to sign up for whatever information you want. Then you will be put directly in touch with people that you can count on to get the job done.

It is an automatic system that is shared by all the Gringo affiliate sites Read more

Mercado Central – The best place to souvenir shop

One of the must-do things in Guatemala as far as I am concerned is visit the Mercado Central, or Central Market in Zona 1.

The Mercado Central is always a bustling hive of activity as locals and tourists alike mingle through the many stalls and displays in search of different crafts and other items.

This is a great place to purchase souvenirs; you will be able to find something for everyone on your list, guaranteed. Common items include typical woven Guatemala (Mayan) clothing, sundry wares, wooden trinkets and artifacts, pieces of art, leather items and jewelry.

Locals also buy produce and live animals here, although those items aren’t as popular among tourists… wonder why…

There are three levels, and the items for purchase Read more

Buy Guatemalan Sweet Bread Online!

One of the hardest parts about relocating to Guatemala is giving up the traditional foods you enjoyed back home. The same can be said for Guatemalans who now live abroad… as well as many expats who, for one reason or another, have to head back to their country of origin.

Craving Guatemalan goods, the sweet and delicious breads in particular, can be a problem, especially when there are no panaderias or a Guatemalan bakery in sight! Thankfully, it is a problem that has a solution: Antigua Flavors and Colors.

www.Antiguafc.com was is the brain child of a Guatemalan living in the United States, who was constantly craving sweet Guatemalan treats. Evelyn, the Pastry Chef on hand, brings delicious Read more

Making Your Way to the Market

Market Days in Guatemala are a large part of the livelihood in each village, so try to make your way to these locations on their Market Days. Not only will you have a better idea of who the Guatemalan people are, you will also have the opportunity to buy a number of gorgeous hand crafted items.

 

While being the largest and most famous market in Guatemala, Chichicastenango has its drawbacks. Since it receives more traffic than most markets, it is harder to barter prices, which is what market shopping is all about. Towns such as Antigua and Panajachel offer amazingly beautiful crafts, at the prices you are looking for. Always remember, you should be Read more

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