Top Things to do in Western Highlands
Things to do in Western Highlands, Western Highlands: The Best Shopping
Guatemalas spectacular Western Highlands run from Antigua to the Mexican border. Pines blanket misty hillsides, rivers cascade through sliver-thin ravines, volcanoes rumble overhead. Catch market day or witness offerings to drinking, smoking St. Maximon, in Chichicastenango. See traditional life in the Ixil Triangle. Clamber the Cuchumatanes Mountains. Mayan dialects and ceremonies are still part of everyday life for the majority of Guatemalas indigenous population, living where their ancestors trod.
Restaurants in Western Highlands
1. Casa Flor Ixcaco
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 128 reviews
Casa Flor Ixcaco is San Juan's only Weaving Cooperative that dedicates itself to perserving the skill of spinning natural cotton thread. The products are made by 20 local women using mayan methods that were passed down for many generations. The products are 100 % natural and handmade. Visitors learn more about the spinning and dying process in a demonstration and can sign up for weaving and dyeing classes.
Reviewed By 178nienkeb - Leiden, The Netherlands
This beautiful shop is a home for woman to do their labor with dedication and authenticity. For generations these woman are making the most fine products out of cotton. The passion for their job you can tell from the bright colors and creativity you find in the original hand-made products. They give you a class/demonstration about the whole process from the cotton to the product. By selling the products they support the woman in the village and by that way they protect the art of handmade clothes with natural products. I recommend this place for families, groups and couples. You can buy products (good souvenirs for people back home, or just for yourself) and you can ask for a demonstration were you pay for. I definitely go back if I get the chance.
2. Jenna's Galeria
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
3. Ketzali Accessories
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
4. Dalileo Chocolate
5. Galeria Imox
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
La Galería Imox lo que desea trasmitir nuestra cultura maya y tradiciones, tambien vendemos puro arte todo lo que pintamos es relacionado a nuestra cultura maya, a los protectores mayas, somos 5 artistas, cada artista tiene diferente estilo técnica y tendencia de arte, y también explicamos el calendario maya a cada visitante cobramos la explicación. Para que conoscan que cada persona, tiene un nawal o protector maya con su fecha de nacimiento podrás conocer su protector maya sus caracteristicas de cada persona, sus profesiones, y su cruz maya explicamos a cada visitante para que nos sirve en nuestra vida que debemos hacer y lo que no tenemos que hacer en nuestra vida el Calendario maya personal. Todas las personas estan asombrados por lo exacto del libro maya todo lo que dice es muy acertado lo que nos trasmite en nuestra vida, es muy sagrado. Los mayas utilizaron este conocimiento y lo aplicaron en su vida diario, si desea conocer a fondo visite la Galería Imox en San Juan La Laguna.
Reviewed By maryangelchapman - London, Canada
We visited during a free tour of the town. Juan explained the Mayan calendar and showed me my birth sign and what it meant. He took the time to explain painting techniques and was so friendly. I love the painting I bought and was so glad to have met the artist.
6. Chocolate Dona Pancha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By michaellF893PZ
If you are looking to learn more about the history of chocolate, to sample authentic Guatemalan chocolate recipes or to support a local business that trains and employs women in Xela, then this is the tour for you! The owners and employees of the business were some of the most hospitable people we have met in Guate, going above and beyond to accomodate our schedule and inability to read a map. The tour itself was very informative and the chocolate samples were both abundant and delicious. I highly recommended supporting this local establishment while in Xela!
7. Yabal Handicrafts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Y'abal Handicrafts offers high quality artisanally made bags, purses, scarves, home accessories, stuffed animals, and more. We are a Fair Trade social enterprise that supports two cooperatives of indigenous women weavers through the sale of their textiles. Our products are a mix of contemporary and traditional Mayan design. All profits are re-invested in social programs for rural communities.
8. TinteMaya
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
Women Weaving Better Lives TinteMaya is comprised of 25 artisan women from San Juan La Laguna, a small community by Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, who are working together to promote these values: Equal opportunities for women. The local culture in Guatemala does not offer many economic opportunities for women, leaving the men in control over the family’s finances. TinteMaya enables each individual woman to transform her weaving skills into an economic opportunity and allow the work to be done at home while still taking care of the family. The sale of each product ensures a fair wage to the woman or women who made it; with this money, they can make spending decisions and contribute to the wellbeing of their children. Every purchase pushes gender equality and independence in the right direction. Ecological Sustainability. The use of plant dyes promotes local biodiversity and plant health, minimizes water pollution and creates organic waste for fertilizer. In order to divert waste, Tinte Maya uses recycled material in some weavings by harvesting thread from used sweaters and other sustainable techniques.
Reviewed By oliviassaurman
My friend and I had the pleasure of learning and connecting with these beautiful women over two days. Our first day was spent with Amalia, who taught us about the natural dying process taken to create the beautiful textiles you see all over Guatemala. We hand picked sacatina leaves and cinnamon leaves to create our dye baths, which yielded a beautiful blue and a deep red wine color. We mixed these with achote to create a beautiful mix of colors to dye our pants with. On the next day we returned to participate in the weaving workshop offered by Tintemaya. This was equally an incredible experience. I spent time learning how to weave a bag while my friend worked on a scarf. If you’re traveling around Lake Atitlan I highly recommend stopping by San Juan to participate in this beautiful experience offered by Tintemaya. I feel so lucky to have been able to learn from these women.
9. Manos Crucenas Artisan Store
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Manos Cruceñas Artisan Store stocks woven, beaded, crocheted, and ironwork products made by indigenous artisans from the Santa Cruz community. Browse products made by artisans earning fair wages while enjoying breathtaking views of Lake Atitlan. You can shop in the retail store, buy wholesale and design your own products made by local artisans, or take one of the beading or weaving courses. The store is located below Café Sabor Cruceño and makes an ideal day trip from anywhere on Lake Atitlan. All proceeds support the community of Santa Cruz La Laguna through the local nonprofit Amigos de Santa Cruz which runs education and economic empowerment programs.
Reviewed By Lorne29 - Claremont, United States
The small store is one part of the Amigos de Santa Cruz non-profit organization. Local townspeople use Amigos looms and other tools to create their crafts. The staffers are very friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable. I purchased a couple of simple bags that included the town's very pretty individual tribal (?) pattern.
10. Atitlan Women Weavers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Are you looking to experience Guatemala in an authentic and personal way? Step inside the culture of the Mayan women and experince the art of weaving visit with local women who love to share their art. Learn how hand spun-cotton, local dyes and the back-strap-loom weaving which keep the textiles 100% local. Experince the culture first hand and let us share our culture with you! Come and enjoy this unique experience, and together we can support indigenous women artisans around Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Reviewed By hisume - Washington DC, United States
As a single guy traveling alone, I haven’t the faintest idea how to weave anything. But these ladies changed my mind. They offer weaving classes for scarves and table runners and I chose to make a scarf. They let me pick out the colors and patters and we set to work. The entire family was there taking turns keeping an eagle eye if I made any mistakes and gently correcting. Even though their English wasn’t too good, they were excellent teachers. The entire process was about 6 hours (you can spilt into multiple days if you’d like). In the end, I have a scarf that I will truest treasure. For less than 40USD, this was totally worth it! Also, the trip advisor map is wrong. Use google maps to find it- it’s on the main gringo street to the west of the docks about 3-4 minutes.
