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- Destinations
- South America
- Guatemala
- Lake Atitlán
- Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango
Chichi, as it is called, is renowned mainly for its Sunday and
Thursday markets, Sunday being the busiest. A quaint traditional
hill village with cobbled streets and red tiled roofs, it has been
one of the largest centres of Mayan trade since pre-Hispanic times
and thousands of people gather in a spectacle of colour and
festivity every week. The market attracts tourists, commercial
traders and Mayan weavers from all over the highland area. It is
also an important centre of culture and religion, and the locals
have combined traditional Mayan religious rites with Catholicism.
This is particularly evident around the Church of St Thomas where
traders spread their goods on the steps, burn incense, offer food
to the Mayan earth god, and pray to the Virgin Mary. Like its
market, Chichi is famous for its outstanding handicrafts rich in
colour, design and workmanship. Tourist-orientated stalls blend
into the frenzied trading of local necessities like fruit and
vegetables, balls of wax, lumps of chalk, macaroni, sewing items,
soap, baskets and spices.
Information & Facts
Language
The official language is Spanish but English is
understood in hotels and tourist destinations. Many indigenous
languages are also spoken.
Money
The official currency is the Quetzal (GTQ) divided into 100
centavos. In 2001 the US Dollar became the second official currency
alongside the Quetzal and both are accepted. Travellers cheques and
major credit cards are accepted, though some more than others. It
is recommended to take travellers cheques in US dollars. Cash
exchange is easier, but more risky. Visitors are not advised to
exchange money at the informal booths on the street. There are ATMs
in the towns and cities, which accept American Express and Visa.
MasterCard and Diners Club have a more limited acceptance.