Whether you're shopping at the bustling Maya bazaar in Chichicastenango, from the street vendors in Panajachel, or at the artisan market in Antigua, Guatemala is one of the world's best places to buy beautiful goods at unbeatable prices. However, haggling is part of the shopper's game, and it's unwise to purchase without a plan. Here are some tips to help you bargain with the best of them.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Allow fifteen minutes of bargaining time per purchase
Here's How:
- Choose your item. In Guatemala, almost every price is in question, be it on a multihued Mayan blanket, hand-carved machete, bag of coffee, or beaded monkey keychain.
- Shop around. If you see something you like in a nicer storefront, the same item will likely be available from a street vendor at a lower price. The owners of touristy stores are less likely to haggle. Plus, if you shop on the street, you'll be buying from someone who truly needs the money.
- Decide exactly how much you want to pay, and determine the figure in both quetzales (Guatemalan currency) and your country's currency.
- Ask the salesperson the price of the item. Here it pays to know some simple Spanish - start with "Cuanto Cuesta?" (How much?)
- Compare their quoted price to the price you desire to pay, and determine whether your desired price is feasible. Know that it's common for a merchant to quote a figure that is double what they actually expect to receive.
- Now, give the salesperson a figure, quoting a price below your desired one.
- At this point, the theatrics come into play! Expect the salesperson to roll their eyes, shake their head, and quote a price lower than their original.
- Now it's your turn. Shake your head, frown, wander around the store, and quote a figure higher than your last, but lower than theirs.
- Repeat steps seven and eight until you've closed in on a price you're both comfortable with. If the merchant won't budge, don't be afraid to walk away. It's likely that the same item will be available in another shop.
- Above all, don't sweat a couple quetzales. Many tourists take bargaining too seriously. Remember, the Guatemalan people are working to feed their families, and those extra quarters mean much more to them than they do to you.
Tips:
- Learn your Spanish numbers, at the very minimum. It's much easier than holding up fingers.
- Don't take pictures of the merchandise (or the Mayan people) without expecting to fork over a few quetzales.
- When you don't want to buy, smile and say, "No Gracias." Repeat as necessary.
What You Need:
- Simple Spanish skills
- A calculator, if quick math isn't your thing
- Quetzales in small and larger bills, and a hidden money belt for the largest
- A backpack or shoulder bag to hold your purchases
- An optimistic attitude!
