The mercado
The "mercado" is located about 3 blocks directly west of the northwest corner of the town center. the market is opened every day, but is largest on saturday, monday, and thursday. it is big, like a maze, and you will likely lose your way and never encounter your friends again. it is dark in the covered areas, and brighter on the outside sections. the cheapest food, commodities, fresh meat, and gifts are found here.
Indigenous hand woven cloth and hand made stone and jade jewelry
Are found sold by the local indigenous women in their brightly colored clothing. the stories are all the same, "my mom made it by hand," which is likely true. you usually can bargain down by 25% or more, especially if you walk away.
Inexpensive tropical fruits
Also found in the "mercado". vine ripen fruits, papayas, plums, mangoes, cherries, strawberries, melons and other delicious unusual tropical fruits are available in abundance with seasons varying. the red curly haired "lychas" have a pleasant sweet taste like the lychees found in cans in the u.s. fruits are safe food to eat if washed. one might stay away from strawberries, unless you can assure of a good soak in bleach to wash away any "fertilizer" or contaminated irrigation water.
Hand-carved wooden masks and figures
Are popular in guatemala, and easily found in many of the shops and stalls in la antigua guatemala. these make unique and wonderful gifts to bring home to friends and family, or just something unusual to remember your trip by.
Cheap clothing, shoes, and leather goods
Found at the mercado. new pants can be acquired for as little as q8 or less. check for quality and comfort before you purchase shoes. small hard to find sizes are easily encountered due to the small size of the population.
When you change money at the bank, you will need your passport. Banks are open 7 days a week, and open until 7PM-8PM. Most of the time, a passport is not needed for changing dollars into quetzales. However, you are likely required to have a passport if you want to redeem traveler's checks. ATMs are also available, but read the charges well before completing the transaction. The ATMs and banks near Parque Central offer the most reasonable exchange rates.