The Mercado de Artesanías is Guatemala City’s government-run handicraft market, at 6a. calle 10-95, zona 13; INGUAT last published its general hours as Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 18:00, in March 2022, so call INGUAT before you go.
INGUAT, the national tourism institute, lists the market as one of three attractions it administers, with the Castillo de San Felipe Lara and the Museo de Paleontología y Arqueología de Estanzuela (INGUAT, read 10 November 2026). AGN’s May 2023 article calls it the Mercado de Artesanías La Aurora.
In short: Address 6a. calle 10-95, zona 13. Daily 9:00-18:00 according to INGUAT notices of 23 March 2022, and the AGN notices of 2023-2025 (checked 10 November 2026) give no newer general timetable; call 2290-2800 (INGUAT) to confirm. Around 50 shops selling regional textiles, woodwork, ceramics, candles, paintings, jewelry, basketry and clothing. No entry fee is mentioned in any of the notices.
Address, hours and contacts
| Detail | What the source prints | Publisher and date |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 6a. calle 10-95, zona 13, Guatemala City | INGUAT press release and AGN, 23 March 2022; AGN, 27 May 2023 |
| General hours | Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 18:00 | INGUAT press release and AGN, 23 March 2022 |
| Administered by | INGUAT | INGUAT list of administered attractions, read 10 November 2026 |
| INGUAT information | 2290-2800 | AGN, 27 May 2023 |
| INGUAT tourist assistance | 2290-2810 or 1500 | AGN, 27 May 2023 |
AGN’s 2022 notice puts the hours this way: “La atención al público es de lunes a domingo de 9:00 a 18:00 horas.” INGUAT’s own press release of the same day repeats them. Neither INGUAT’s page of administered attractions nor any later notice read on 10 November 2026 republishes a general timetable, so treat 9:00-18:00 as the last published figure, not a confirmed current one. The phone numbers are INGUAT’s general lines, not a direct line to the market.
Is it worth a stop on a layover?
That depends on whether you want to buy crafts. None of the government notices gives a distance or travel time from the airport terminal, and none mentions luggage storage. Work out the airport side first with our long-layover guide and the La Aurora airport guide, then confirm the market’s hours by phone. Our La Aurora Zoo guide lists the city bus stop opposite the market, if you are combining the two.
What the market sells
INGUAT’s March 2022 press release describes the market as a reference point for buying textiles from different regions, woodwork, ceramics, candles, paintings, jewelry, basketry and clothing. An AGN photo feature of 30 May 2022, marking the market’s 48th anniversary, lists leather, wood, ceramics, candles, paintings, antiques, silver and jade jewelry, basketry and clothing. In May 2023 AGN described more than 50 locales with products from different departments.
None of the notices publishes prices. Ask each seller for the price and how they take payment before you choose.
Who sells there
In March 2022 INGUAT gave its biosecurity and Safe Travels seals to the market’s businesses. INGUAT’s press release counts 49 tenants and artisans; AGN’s lead says 43 tenants, then prints a list of 49 businesses. Grouped by what their names say, the list looks like this:
| Type of business (March 2022 list) | Names as printed |
|---|---|
| Textile and típica shops | Textiles Fuentes Agustín, Tejidos típicos manuales Tikal, Tienda típica Los Cofrades, Tienda típica La Monja Blanca, Exportadora de tejidos regionales Tecún Umán, El Güipil, Típicos Kashken |
| Shops named for a craft town or region | Nebaj, Comalapa´s Handicrafts, Artesanías de Chinautla |
| Associations and foundations | Asociación de Autogestión Artesanal y Ecoturismo, (Saq´onak) Colores Q´eqchi; Fundación para el Desarrollo del Museo Ixchel |
| Wood, bamboo and art | Especialidades en madera, La Magia del Bambú, Galería de Arte Galería de Arte Yool Son, Miscelánea y galería de Arte Tzununiha |
| Food and drink | El Rodeo Café, Restaurante J&R |
The list dates from 2022, and tenants change. The foundation listed is the one connected with the Museo Ixchel, the textile museum covered in our Guatemala City museums guide.
Fairs and events at the market
INGUAT uses the market for themed fairs, which have their own hours:
- 49th anniversary, 27-28 May 2023: 10:00 to 16:00, with INGUAT’s regional-costume displays, the INGUAT marimba and folk ballet, and free parking announced for that event (AGN, 27 May 2023).
- San Juan Sacatepéquez artisans, 12-14 December 2025: textiles, ceramics, decorative items and utensils, 8:00 to 16:00 (AGN, 11 December 2025).
- Christmas pinabete trees: the legal pinabete fair is covered in our pinabete guide.
The free parking was announced for the anniversary weekend only; the notices say nothing about parking on ordinary days.
Changes announced for the market
INGUAT’s 2022 press release says artists painted murals at the market under its Arte y turismo, un país con más color project. In February 2025 AGN reported that INGUAT’s director, Harris Whitbeck, presented a proposal to the artisans to make the market more accessible, functional and attractive for traders, visitors and artisans, and that INGUAT asked the artisans and traders for their opinions. The article describes a proposal, not finished works or a closure, and gives no date for any work.
For more of the city, see things to do in Guatemala City.
Sources
- INGUAT: Atractivos administrados por INGUAT — read 10 November 2026.
- Gobierno de Guatemala (INGUAT press release): Entrega de Sellos de Bioseguridad Turística a los artesanos y arrendatarios del Mercado de Artesanías, 23 March 2022 — read 10 November 2026.
- AGN: Arrendatarios del Mercado de Artesanías reciben sellos de bioseguridad turística, 23 March 2022 — read 10 November 2026.
- AGN: Mercado de Artesanías ofrece diversos productos elaborados por guatemaltecos, 30 May 2022 — read 10 November 2026.
- AGN: Se conmemora el 49 aniversario del Mercado de Artesanías La Aurora, 27 May 2023 — read 10 November 2026.
- AGN: Inguat presenta propuesta de mejora del Mercado de Artesanías, 27 February 2025 — read 10 November 2026.
- AGN: Artesanos de Sacatepéquez expondrán su talento en el Mercado de Artesanías de la zona 13, 11 December 2025 — read 10 November 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Guatemala City's government-run handicraft market, and when is it open?
The Mercado de Artesanías is at 6a. calle 10-95, zona 13. INGUAT lists it among the attractions it administers. The most recent general hours in a government notice are Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 18:00, published 23 March 2022, so call ahead.
Is the Mercado de Artesanías worth a stop on a layover?
Only if craft shopping is the point of leaving the airport. INGUAT’s attractions list and the AGN and INGUAT notices of 2022-2025 (checked 10 November 2026) give no travel time from the terminal, so plan the airport side with our long-layover guide and confirm the market is open before you go.
What is sold at the Mercado de Artesanías?
An INGUAT press release lists textiles from different regions, woodwork, ceramics, candles, paintings, jewelry, basketry and clothing. A 2022 AGN photo feature adds leather, antiques, and silver and jade jewelry.
How many shops are there?
INGUAT certified 49 businesses there in March 2022 (AGN’s lead counts 43 tenants). In May 2023 AGN described more than 50 locales.
Were the December 2025 fair hours the market's normal hours?
No. The 8:00-16:00 hours applied to a fair of San Juan Sacatepéquez artisans on 12-14 December 2025. The general daily hours are the 9:00-18:00 ones from 2022.
Is there a phone number for the market?
None of these government notices prints a market telephone. AGN’s May 2023 article gives INGUAT’s numbers: 2290-2800 for information, and 2290-2810 or 1500 for tourist assistance.
