The Mercado Central occupies a vast underground space directly behind and beneath the Metropolitan Cathedral in Zona 1. Three levels of stalls sell a comprehensive range of Guatemalan handicrafts: textiles, woven blankets, huipiles, carved jade, leather goods, ceramics, and wooden masks from every region of the country. The lower levels extend into food halls with local restaurants and stalls selling fresh produce, grains, and spices.
The Mercado Central is one of the best places in the capital to buy textiles and crafts at prices that — after polite bargaining — are well below what the tourist markets in Antigua charge. The quality ranges from mass-produced tourist goods to genuine artisan work, so it pays to look carefully. The food section on the lower levels is cheaper still and a good place for a working lunch.