The original market, designed by Miguel Rivera Maestre, was located at the Plazuela del Sagrario where the first cemetery of the city used to be. Throughout the years it has been used for different purposes. In 1871, it was used as barracks, but due to the earthquakes of 1917 and 1918, the building started deteriorating. After the earthquake of 1976 it was declared a dangerous building, and it was re-built underground. At present, it offers a wide range of products, including foodstuffs such as grains, fruits and vegetables, live animals, and a great variety of handicrafts made of textiles, silver, leather, wood, maize leaves, bamboo, clay and many other materials.
This urban shopping center includes more than 100 stores of best national and international brands. Customers can find anything from laser disks, clothing, and electric appliances to outdoor gear, shoes, novelties, gifts and many other things. The third floor has a variety of restaurants that cater to every taste. There are entertainment facilities for children and adults in the form of movie theaters, bowling alleys and amusement arcades. It is well worth using the facilities that this shopping center has to offer, and appreciating its unique interior decor.
This is one of the oldest shopping centers in Guatemala. It is very popular and has several cheap shops. Here you will find bookstores, pharmacies, electric appliances, boutiques, beauty salons, gift stores, home accessories and jewelry. You will also find one of the stores of Paiz supermarkets, the most popular supermarket in Guatemala. You can also come to this place to relax in one of its coffee shops, eat lunch in one of its restaurants, or have a drink in one of its bars.
This department store is one of the biggest in Guatemala. By going over its three levels you will find every department from men's, women's, and children's clothes, to furniture and electric equipment for your home. They stock a variety of articles for your home, books, sporting goods, baby goods, shoes, jewelry, perfumes, and personal accessories. All of this from the best brands. The friendly staff are very efficient.
The little shop filling the entranceway to Sabe Rico is a sweet place, in all senses of the word. It stocks specialty foods both packaged and homemade, including gluten-free products ranging from chocolates and granola to bread and pasta. The already impressive establishment is increasingly amazing as patrons walk deeper; the shop gives way to a courtyard, then two separate garden areas filled with lush greenery and charming shaded tables. The menu lists a delicious variety of dishes, and pleasant surprises like teas brewed from herbs grown organically just a few feet from your table... or, with luck, the pure white rabbit who was too cute to cook might pop out of the vegetation to lend a fanciful feel to your dining experience.
A small bookshop in the entrance of this well-known Antigua establishment stocks a good number of titles, and a gamut of seating arrangements provide the ideal spot to curl up with your new read or discuss it with new friends. To keep you fueled, the menu offers a variety of cuisines (including plenty of vegetarian food), such hummus and falafel, traditional breakfasts, and plentiful drink selections. Happy hour runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every evening, with live music most nights and lectures about local history and environmental initiatives every Tuesday.
This huge second-hand bookshop has been open for 25 years, buying and selling books and handling a stock of about 60,000. The friendly staff are very helpful and there is a wide range of books: university and other text books, languages, fiction, magazines, literary works by Guatemalan authors such as Miguel Angel Asturias, general interest and more.
Conveniently located across the street from the Parque Central, El Mercadito (the little market) is an excellent source for high quality folk art. Shoppers can expect to find wood carving, waxworks, glass work, and ceramic pieces along with softer artesania such as clothing and textiles, or sparklier artesania such as jewelry. The entrance hall is lined with brilliantly colored examples of traditional embroidery, visually luring passerby into the pleasantly colorful store.
It is touted to be the first American-style mall in the town and was established in 1988. Centro Comercial Megacentro may not be big but it does have nice options for shoppers. It features boutiques, beauty shops, salons and a food court. The prices are reasonable compared to other malls.
This bookshop, which has been open for over a hundred years, sells religious literature. You will find Bibles in book and CD form and titles such as "Let's Open The Bible," "You Are The Faith," and the "Biblical Atlas." If you prefer, there are also videos and audio cassettes. For children there are special books such as "Hidden Treasures" and a selection of audiovisual material. The shop offers good quality books at fair prices between 25 and 200 quetzals. Payment is in cash or by credit card.
This is a large chain of bookshops and stationers. It makes its own gift wrap, card, glossy paper and other types of paper. It also sells exercise books, pencil cases, erasers and everything else needed for school and office. As for books, you can find Guatemalan classics such as The Mystery of the Green World and Legends of Guatemala, or text books on mathematics, social studies, natural science, geography, encyclopedias and dictionaries. There is a wide range for children, including books of stories, games, puzzles and for coloring. Don't miss this shop when you come to Guatemala.
Vending folk artwork from the highlands of Guatemala, Casa de Gigantes grabs customers' attention immediately with two huge carved wooden statues of a man and a woman standing midway through the store. They are traditional artifacts from the Baile de los Gigantes of the Fiesta de Corpus Christi, celebrated 60 days after Easter each year. Founded in 1963, Casa de los Gigantes is proud to offer both traditional and original designs of furniture and home accessories in pine wood, as well as providing a retail venue for women from around Guatemala who work in other materials. Textiles, pottery, beading, and carved stone crafts are available in the store.