The Central Market - Introduction

Photos by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

I wish I could reproduce all the aromas, the flavors, the sounds, the vibrant colors, the forms and textures one can smell, taste, hear, look, and touch in this place. The Guatemala City’s Central Market is a feast to the senses!

If there is a commercial center where you can find handicrafts and souvenirs from all over the country at a reasonable price, this is it. This is also the place where you can find a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, meat, typical food, wooden artifacts, and more.

It is located in Zone 1, or downtown, and before getting there, I have to recommend being cautious, even though is a relatively secure place, avoid wearing fancy clothes and jewelry. Although a well designed, organized, and clean market, since it is a massive several stories underground concrete structure, I could say that the building itself does not represent what it is inside.

On the street level is a paid and very secure parking lot from where you can access the 3 lower levels, which are built like mezzanines and divide the market into 3 different sections, exactly the same number of days I need to explore the place with you. Ah, while exploring keep in mind that haggling over the prices has to be part of the experience when you visit a market like this.

Here is just a sample of what we will experience tomorrow: