Santiago Sacatepequez

Santiago Sacatepequez is a Kaqchikel Maya town of approximately 35,000 people located about 12 km northwest of Antigua Guatemala in Sacatepéquez department. Sitting at roughly 2,000 metres elevation, it shares the cool highland climate of its neighbour Sumpango, with temperatures averaging 15–22°C. Like Sumpango, it is famous for its giant kites flown during the Day of the Dead on November 1st.

The town has a strong indigenous identity and is the municipal seat of one of the department's larger municipalities. The weekly market draws vendors and buyers from surrounding villages. The landscape offers panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes and highland valleys.

By Plane

La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City is approximately 55 km east. Shuttles to Antigua take about 1 hour; Santiago is a further 20 minutes by road.

By Car / Road

Santiago Sacatepequez is accessible via the road from Sumpango, about 3 km further west. From Antigua Guatemala, the drive takes about 25 minutes. Chicken buses from Antigua and Chimaltenango serve the town for Q5–10. From Guatemala City, the drive is about 1.5 hours via the CA-1 and local roads.

The town centre is compact and walkable. Tuk-tuks are available for local trips. The walk from Sumpango takes about 30–40 minutes.

• Central plaza and parish church — a spacious plaza surrounded by colonial-era buildings, with the parish church as the focal point

• Giant kite workshops — like neighbouring Sumpango, Santiago has family workshops that construct elaborate giant kites for the November 1st celebrations

• Weekly market — a bustling highland market with produce, textiles, and traditional goods

• Attend the Day of the Dead kite festival (November 1) — Santiago hosts its own version of the giant kite tradition, with massive kites flown over the cemetery

• Visit the weekly market — one of the best highland markets in the area, drawing vendors from across the region

• Walk the surrounding highlands — trails through agricultural land offer views of volcanoes and the highland landscape

Comedores near the market and plaza serve Guatemalan staples: desayuno for Q15–25, almuerzo for Q20–30. Market vendors sell tamales, atol, and fresh fruit. Dining options are limited to local eateries.

Bottled water is recommended. Soft drinks and beer are available at shops and pulperías. Traditional hot drinks like atol blanco and atol de elote are popular at the market, especially during the cooler months.

• Budget: Basic hospedajes for Q50–100 per night. Options are limited.
• Mid-range / Upscale: No significant hotels. Stay in Antigua Guatemala (25 minutes) for full accommodation options.

The weekly market sells fresh produce, traditional textiles (huipiles, cortes), pottery, and household goods. Miniature kites are sold as souvenirs, especially around the Day of the Dead. Prices are lower than in Antigua's tourist shops.

• Sumpango (~3 km east) — sister kite-flying town
• Antigua Guatemala (~12 km southeast) — the colonial capital
• Chimaltenango (~20 km north) — departmental capital
• San Lucas Sacatepequez (~10 km southeast) — a highland market town