Souvenirs & Handicrafts

Lonely Planet review

Calle Santander is lined with booths, stores and complexes that sell (among other things) traditional Mayan clothing, jade, Rasta berets with built-in dreadlocks, colorful blankets, leather goods and wood carvings. Freelance vendors and artisans also set up tables or blankets, especially on weekends.

There are also wholesalers in Pana if you want to buy in bulk. If you're interested, check www.panajachel.info for some contacts.

Some travelers prefer the Pana shopping scene to the well-known market at Chichicastenango because the atmosphere is low-key and you're not bumping into tour groups with video cameras at every turn. The beach end of Calle Rancho Grande is also adorned with booths.