Show up by 7am to dodge the bus swarm from Panajachel. Watch locals swing burning copal on the Santo Tomas steps, then ghost the front-row stalls. Head to the back alleys for authentic vintage huipils instead of mass-produced tourist junk. Skip the overpriced plaza cafes and grab fresh blue corn tortillas inside the gritty central food market. Book a guided walking tour if you want help navigating the chaos. It is intense, loud, and totally worth it.
