Lake Atitlan Guatemala Weaving Workshop
Lake Atitlan Guatemala Weaving Workshop will have you arriving in San Juan at the boat docks you climb a steep hill that has unique textile, painting, and art stalls on either side of the street.
Most of these products are produced by cooperatives of women from the village. The art here is very unique and unlike what you find in other villages around the lake.
You also see many murals painted on the side of buildings throughout San Juan that are an expression of their culture.
Lake Atitlan Guatemala Weaving Workshop Details
Lake Atitlan Guatemala Weaving Workshop
TRIP DURATION: roughly 7-8 hours
TRIP LOCATION: San Juan La Laguna
TRIP PHYSICAL LEVEL: Easy & Relaxed
TRIP DETAILS:
TRIP DETAILS: $130.00 (Q970) – 1 person (private workshop)
$70.00 (Q525) – 2 or more people – all weaving supplies are provided.
You will spend a day in the home of one of the weavers of Lake Atitlan. Lunch is provided you can help cook a local meal if you like. We do not do group type weaving workshops. In order to learn and have a day of cultural experience we have found it best to limit the number of guests.
WHAT TO BRING: Bring camera, water, snacks, clothes that you don’t mind getting dye on, and be prepared to have an incredible day!
Weaving Workshop Contact
Guate 502-4467-9981
whereisguatemala@gmail.com
Tz’utujil weavers of San Juan La Laguna
My sister and I accompanied tour guides, Jim and Stephanie, on a guided tour of the villages of San Juan, San Pedro, and San Antonio Palopo on Lake Atitlan. San Antonio was not part of the original request, however, Jim was more than willing to accommodate so that we could check out the town’s ceramics and the sunset from the cathedral overlooking the lake.
Jim takes pride in supporting local artisans and gaining their friendship, trust, and respect. This translates into a seamless tour experience that does not feel like a tour, but more like a glimpse into the lives and homes of Jim’s friends around the lake, during which you are welcomed more as a friend than a tourist. This was a truly great experience, and I have great respect for the work that Jim does to enable Lake Atitlan’s artists to maintain their culture without being exploited.
Lake Atitlan Guatemala Weaving Workshop. The Tz’utujil weavers of San Juan La Laguna are well known for making their own pure organic cotton thread and the use of natural dyes. By using traditional techniques, styles, and designs, the women of San Juan La Laguna work to preserve weaving traditions for future generations.
Lake Atitlan Guatemala Weaving Workshop
Lake Atitlan Textiles Workshop takes place in our instructor’s home. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only learn to weave, but also to spend time with a Tz’utujil Maya family, experiencing indigenous life in a small village.
As a participant you will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of one of the oldest forms of artistic expression by working and learning directly from the Tz’utujil women of San Juan.
You will learn how they grow their own cotton, harvest it by hand, spin it using ancient techniques, and then use natural dyes and colorants derived from locally found plants, tree, bark, berries, leaves, roots, wood, and insects in the Lake Atitlan area.
A few of the plants that are used are coconut shell, pericón, pepper, purple basil, hibiscus flowers, and achiote, among many others.
Grow Your Own Cure