Guatemala Info
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Posts: 14
Home Country: guatemala
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 Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:20 am Post subject: SHOPPING IN GUATEMALA / GUATEMALA SHOPPING GUIDE |
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SHOPPING IN GUATEMALA
Guatemala presents a mind-boggling selection of traditional handicrafts at remarkably low prices. The work of local artisans and weavers is usually called típica, roughly translated as "typical goods." Compared to those in smaller towns, the típica shops in Guatemala City tend to have finer quality, more expensive wares, often refashioned for contemporary tastes and uses.
If you're looking for a good deal, stick to the street. Bargaining is the modus operandi of street vendors and is also common in the markets and shops; asking prices are sometimes rather high, so be patient.
Guatemala's public markets are a wonderful way to witness the everyday lives of the population. Vendors line a jumble of narrow, warrenlike passages and hawk fruits and vegetables, flowers, meat, nuts, candles, incense, toiletries, and gaudy, U.S.-made T-shirts.
If you missed something in the highlands, don't worry; the market in Guatemala City's Zona 1 has a little bit of everything, at prices as low as you'll find anywhere else.
A general note: It's illegal to take pre-Columbian and colonial artifacts or antiques out of Guatemala. Only postcolonial works -- anything made after 1820 -- can be exported.
With the exception of the big market downtown, in the Old City, shop hours are weekdays 10am-1pm and 3pm-7pm, Saturday 10am-1pm. |
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