On the west side of the plaza, this whitewashed church is similar in form and function to Santo Tomás, but smaller. Ceremonies go on continually in front of the church, as worshippers ring a bonfire of fragrant copal, while within, candles are placed upon blackened stone slabs.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Reserva Natural Atitlán
13.66 MILES
A former coffee plantation being reclaimed by natural vegetation, this reserve is 200m past the Hotel Atitlán on the northern outskirts of town. It makes…
K'umarcaaj
6.73 MILES
The ruins of the ancient K'iche' Maya capital of K'umarcaaj remain a sacred site for the Maya, and contemporary rituals are customarily enacted here…
Nearby Chichicastenango attractions
1. Museo Arqueológico Regional
0.04 MILES
Chichi's archaeology museum holds the collection of Hugo Rossbach, a German who served as the town's Catholic priest until his death in 1944. It includes…
2. Market
0.06 MILES
Some villagers still walk for hours carrying their wares to reach Chichi's market, one of Guatemala's largest and a highlight of many people's trips to…
3. Mural
0.07 MILES
Be sure to admire the mural that runs alongside the wall of the town hall on the east side of the plaza – it’s dedicated to the victims of the civil war…
4. Centro Comercial Santo Tomás
0.07 MILES
Even on non-market days, the covered market on the north side of the square buzzes with activity. The fresh produce on display is a reflection of…
5. Iglesia de Santo Tomás
0.09 MILES
This church on the plaza's east side dates from 1540 and is often the scene of rituals that are more distinctly Maya than Catholic. Inside, the floor of…
6. Galería Pop-Wuj
0.17 MILES
On the way down the hill to the shrine at Pascual Abaj, you might stop into this interesting gallery. Developed as an art institute for local children…
7. Pascual Abaj
0.43 MILES
On a hilltop south of town, Pascual Abaj (Sacrifice Stone) is a shrine to the Maya earth god Huyup Tak'ah (Mountain Plain). A stone-faced idol stands amid…
8. K'umarcaaj
6.73 MILES
The ruins of the ancient K'iche' Maya capital of K'umarcaaj remain a sacred site for the Maya, and contemporary rituals are customarily enacted here…