For shopping - or simply sightseeing - the markets of Guatemala are some of the finest anywhere in the world. The large markets of Chichicastenango, Sololá and San Francisco El Alto are all well worth a visit, but equally fascinating are the tiny weekly gatherings in remote villages like San Juan Atitlán and Chajul, where the atmosphere is hushed and unhurried. In these isolated settlements market day is as much a social event as a commercial affair, providing the chance for villagers to catch up on local news, and perhaps enjoy a tipple or two, as well as selling some vegetables and buying a few provisions. Most towns and villages have at least one weekly event.