From the cratered rims of Volcán de Fuego to the mirror-still waters of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala overwhelms the senses with color, rhythm, and scent. Markets brim with hand-dyed textiles, coffee roasts steam from street stalls in Antigua, and the chatter of Kaqchikel and K’iche’ vendors rises beneath painted colonial facades — a perfect setting for collecting Guatemalan souvenirs that carry stories.

Whether you’re after wearable art, edible treasures, or small talismans from the highlands, every region has a signature craft. Here’s what to buy in Guatemala to bring a piece of this layered, luminous country home with you.

1. Handwoven Huipiles and Textiles

Why pick this up: Huipiles (women’s blouses), cortes (skirts), and woven belts are wearable maps of community identity: colors, motifs, and thread counts can tell you which village the piece comes from — Chichicastenango, Santiago Atitlán, or San Juan La Laguna. They’re soft, practical, and deeply personal souvenirs.
What to look for: Natural dye colors, tight, even weaving, and motifs that match the artisan’s town. Ask about the backstrap loom process and whether the piece is wool (warm) or cotton (airy).
Price bracket (2025): Q80–Q600 for huipiles; smaller items like belts Q25–Q120.
Where to find it: Chichicastenango Market, the craft stalls of Antigua Guatemala, Panajachel and lakeside villages around Lake Atitlán.

2. Guatemalan Jade Jewelry

Why pick this up: Jade has been revered since Maya times; a jade pendant or bead bracelet connects you to millennia of ritual and artistry. Modern jewelers blend ancient symbolism with contemporary design.
What to look for: Deep, even green with translucence for higher-quality jade; ask about provenance (Peten and the central highlands supply a lot of local jade). Certification helps for pricier pieces.
Price bracket (2025): Q150–Q2,500 depending on size and quality.
Where to find it: Antigua’s artisan shops, Zona 10 boutiques in Guatemala City, and galleries in Flores and Petén.

3. Antigua Coffee Beans

Why pick this up: Coffee from Antigua and Huehuetenango is famously aromatic with bright acidity and chocolatey notes — a quintessential taste of Guatemalan terroir you can brew at home.
What to look for: Whole beans for freshness, roast date on the bag, single-origin labels like Antigua, Acatenango, or Huehuetenango. Specialty roasters in Antigua often offer cupping notes.
Price bracket (2025): Q35–Q200 per 250–500 g depending on roast and certification (organic/fair trade).
Where to find it: Coffee shops and roasters in Antigua, specialty stores in Guatemala City, and farmer stalls at markets.

4. Maya Chocolate and Cacao Products

Why pick this up: Guatemala is part of the birthplace of chocolate. Look for stone-ground bars, drinking chocolate mixes, and bean-to-bar chocolates that celebrate heirloom cacao varieties.
What to look for: Minimal ingredients (cacao, sugar, sometimes spices like cinnamon or achiote), single-origin labeling, and artisanal packaging. Raw cacao nibs are great for bakers.
Price bracket (2025): Q35–Q250 for bars and gift sets.
Where to find it: Chocolate ateliers in Antigua, agricultural cooperatives in Alta Verapaz, and artisan markets.

5. Muñecas Quitapenas (Worry Dolls)

Why pick this up: Tiny, embroidered worry dolls from the highlands are a charming, portable folk tradition: tell them your worries, tuck them under your pillow, and they “take” your cares overnight.
What to look for: Hand-stitched faces, authentic traditional clothing at miniature scale, and natural-fiber stuffing for the most traditional dolls.
Price bracket (2025): Q10–Q60 for small sets or elaborately dressed dolls.
Where to find it: Chichicastenango, local craft stalls in Quetzaltenango (Xela), and artisan shops in market towns.

6. Patzún Lacquerware (Barniz de Patzún)

Why pick this up: Patzún’s lacquered boxes, trays, and religious motifs are made with a layered technique that gives a glossy, jewel-like finish — perfect as decorative souvenirs or functional keepsakes.
What to look for: Smooth, even lacquer without bubbling, traditional motifs (floral or colonial scenes), and sturdy wooden bases. Small boxes and spoons travel well.
Price bracket (2025): Q40–Q700 depending on size and intricacy.
Where to find it: Artisanal shops in Patzún, regional craft markets, and galleries in Antigua.

7. Hand-Carved Masks and Wood Sculptures

Why pick this up: Colorful festival masks and carved saints reflect Guatemala’s vibrant ritual dances and Catholic-and-Maya syncretism. They make dramatic wall pieces that carry dance-floor energy.
What to look for: Solid wood (often cedar or pine), hand-painted detail, and appropriate sizing for transport. Ask the carver for the dance or story behind the mask.
Price bracket (2025): Q200–Q3,000 for large masks; smaller carvings Q60–Q400.
Where to find it: Santiago Atitlán, Sololá markets around Lake Atitlán, and artisan stalls in Antigua.

8. Mayan Amber Jewelry

Why pick this up: Amber from the Petén and Izabal regions is fossilized resin with golden warmth — sometimes containing tiny plant inclusions — and is prized for jewelry and small carvings.
What to look for: Rich honey tones, clarity, and whether pieces are untreated. Request a simple authenticity check at reputable shops.
Price bracket (2025): Q200–Q2,500 depending on size and clarity.
Where to find it: Jewelers in Flores, markets in Petén, and selected boutiques in Antigua and Guatemala City.

9. Guatemalan Hammocks

Why pick this up: Coastal and Pacific weavers produce hammocks with a soft, supportive weave perfect for lazy afternoons or as bright home decor. They’re practical and evocative of beachfront towns like Monterrico.
What to look for: Even weave, sturdy loops and cords, and colorfast dye. Consider the size — single vs. family hammocks — for packing.
Price bracket (2025): Q50–Q800 depending on size and material.
Where to find it: Monterrico, Pacific coast markets, and artisanal stores in Puerto San José and Livingston.

10. Wool Blankets and Frazadas

Why pick this up: Highland wool blankets and kitchen textiles are both cozy and colorful — ideal souvenirs for chilly nights or as table runners that carry traditional patterns from towns like Nebaj and Chichicastenango.
What to look for: Natural wool or wool blends, even stitching, and traditional geometric designs. Hand-loomed pieces will be pricier but last longer.
Price bracket (2025): Q120–Q1,000 depending on size and fiber.
Where to find it: Markets in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Chichicastenango, and craft shops in Antigua.

Tip: When buying handcrafted items, ask about the artisan or cooperative that made them — it supports local makers and gives your purchases a richer story. 🌎

Guatemalan souvenirs are more than things; they’re threads of history and landscape you can tuck into your bag and revisit at home.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author 

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!