Masaya Handicrafts (Artesanía) Market - Mercado Viejo

In the 1990s, Masaya’s municipal government remade the old market into a handicrafts market aimed at drawing tourists to the city. The Mercado Viejo de Masaya, as it is known in Spanish, is in a central plaza framed by impressive old stone walls. Today, the wares on offer range from truly fine handicrafts, particularly the famous Masaya hammocks, to tacky Made-in-China tourist souvenirs, and everything in between.

The hammocks of Masaya are rightfully famous. They are still by and large made entirely by hand. Typically, a single family will make the hammocks at home, with one hammock easily taking several people a day or two to complete.

There are also handicrafts from around Nicaragua, such as masks from the different popular performances (e.g., the Gueguense) and ceramics from San Juan de Oriente.

Prices tend to be high, but you may be able to do a little light bargaining.

Masaya’s new market is the one made to replace the old market when it was turned over to the tourists. The new market is like many Nicaraguan markets: crowded, dirty, and dirt cheap. You can even find some handicrafts at the new market, though the prices tend not to be too much lower than in the old market. The new market is near the big outdoor bus terminal.