Major city · Guatemala
Chichicastenango
Spend one day for the market and church; add a second day if you want the Santo Tomás festival in December.
Chichicastenango is a highland town famous for its Thursday and Sunday market and the Santo Tomás festival in December. A single day covers the market and main sights; a festival visit needs an extra day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr, plus Dec for the festival
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chichicastenango110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chichicastenango, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for visitors; keep an eye on belongings in the busy market and stay clear of fireworks smoke during the Santo Tomás festival.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122/123 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport (Main gateway to Guatemala; shuttle or bus to Chichicastenango takes 4–5 h).
- Getting aroundThe town is compact; walk between market, church and hotels.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféQ5–Q8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km)Q30–Q45
- Metro or bus rideBus shuttle (city‑to‑city, 2 h)Q30–Q50
- Budget bedPosada room, a night, per personGTQ 15
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomGTQ 150
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomGTQ 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 80 · Mid GTQ 150 · High GTQ 250
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport (Main gateway to Guatemala; shuttle or bus to Chichicastenango takes 4–5 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chichicastenango: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is compact; walk between market, church and hotels. Buses and shuttles run from Guatemala City, Antigua and Panajachel to Los Encuentros, then a short ride to town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Atitlán
goDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Shuttle from Chichicastenango to Panajachel (≈2 h), then boat
Scenic lake and villages; good for a half‑day
Panajachel
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Direct shuttle (≈2 h) from town
Gateway to Lake Atitlán, markets and cafés
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Posada El Arco
Family‑run posada, $15–$30 GTQ, breakfast included, walk from market
Santo Tomas Hotel
Upscale hotel next to market and church
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q80–Q120 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q120–Q200 excl. bed
- High
- Q200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Posada room2 × 1 night × GTQ 25 | GTQ 50 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 150 | GTQ 300 |
| Shuttle Guatemala City → Chichicastenango (round‑trip)2 × GTQ 120 · check | GTQ 240 |
| eSIM, 7 days data2 × GTQ 180 · check | GTQ 360 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 95 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 523 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 1,045 |
2026 estimate in GTQ; flights and long‑distance transport excluded
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | Q5–Q8 |
| Handicraft (small item) at market | Q20–Q50 |
| Taxi 5 km | Q30–Q45 |
| Bus shuttle (city‑to‑city, 2 h) | Q30–Q50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Market crowds on Thursdays and Sundays; arrive early for better prices
- Festival fireworks can be loud and cause smoke; keep a safe distance
- Posada phone lines often unreliable; be prepared to show up in person
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
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ChichicastenangoChichicastenango
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
US consulate in Guatemala City; other embassies in the capital.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Guatemala City → Chichicastenango (shuttle, round‑trip): about Q120, 4–5 h total travel (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-kuhl-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan-to kwes-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (don-de es-ta el mer-ca-do)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chichicastenango. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr, plus Dec for the festival · avoid May–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Chichicastenango
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