Family Activities:

Mercado Central

Attraction

Mercado Central

8 Calle and 8 Ave., Guatemala City

Located in relatively safe and historic Zona 1 (easily walkable from Parque Central, Palacio Nacional de la Cultura and Catedral Metropolitana), this huge, multilevel indoor market is the place to buy souvenirs.

While you can hardly turn around in Antigua without street vendors pressuring you to buy something, this underground market in Guatemala City is cool in two ways: out of the heat and no pressure. Still, be sure and talk vendors down. They expect it. The prices here are slashed from Antigua and Atitlan, and you can choose from an abundance of singular Guatemalan artistry.

With any luck and some bartering skills, you’ll leave with bags stuffed full of embroidered blouses, leather goods, tote bags, bookmarks, and other Maya woven items.