2 Best Sights in The Highlands, Guatemala

As in most colonial villages, the heart of Chichicastenango is its central square, and any tour begins here. It's pretty tranquil here when the market isn't open, but not on Thursday and Sunday when hundreds of vendors (and buyers) arrive from near and far. The market long ago outgrew this square, and spills onto adjoining streets. All the major sights are either here or nearby. Three blocks north is Arco Gucumatz, an arch over 5 Avenida where you watch vendors heading to the square the night before or very early the morning of market day.

The city's central plaza, ablaze with pepper trees, is one of the most beautiful in Central America. It is surrounded by neoclassical architectural masterpieces, most of which date from the early 20th century (earthquakes took their toll on older colonial structures), such as the magnificent building called Pasaje Enríquez, built in 1900 in the style of a center-city European shopping arcade. Bees buzz around the park's numerous flower beds. Be careful if you're susceptible to harm from their stings.