Lake Atitlan Maya Villages Tour: Weaving Cooperatives

Watch weavers work the loom in Santa Catarina and San Antonio

A private tour from Panajachel to the Mayan villages of Santa Catarina and San Antonio on Lake Atitlan, where you visit weaving cooperatives, ceramic studios and historic churches to learn how local families create traditional textiles and crafts. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours with round-trip shared transfer from Panajachel hotels, a live guide in English or Spanish, and a choice between a hiking route, a driving route, or attendance at a Mayan Fire Protection Ceremony.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Mayan villages and Lake Atitlan

• Travel from Panajachel
• Visit Santa Catarina village
• Explore weaving cooperatives
• Meet local families
• Visit San Antonio village
• See local ceramic studio
• Visit historic churches
• Experience Lake Atitlan views

The experience

Santa Catarina and San Antonio sit on the shores of Lake Atitlan, each village known for a different craft tradition. In Santa Catarina, the weavers work with the blues, purples and reds that define the region's textiles, and you'll see those colors come together in the weaving cooperatives where local families still use traditional techniques. San Antonio's potters work in ceramic studios scattered through the village, and both stops include time in local galleries and the historic churches that anchor each community.

The tour leaves from Panajachel with hotel pickup at selected hotels or from Xocomil Travel on Calle Embarcadero. You choose the route when you book: a hiking option that moves through the villages on foot, a driving tour that covers more ground by vehicle, or a visit timed to the Mayan Fire Protection Ceremony if that departure is running. A guide who speaks English or Spanish leads the group and explains the history and methods behind what you're seeing. The round-trip transfer and guide are included. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the conditions.

A minimum of two people per booking is required. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed.

What’s included

• Round-trip shared transfer from Panajachel.
• hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels or meeting point at Xocomil Travel.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• access to weaving cooperatives, ceramic studios, galleries and historic churches in both villages.

Options for this experience

3 options

Hiking tourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30For a tougher option, you can choose to hike above the lake. The trek begins 2,000 feet above the water and offers commanding views of the 3 volcanoes, the volcanic caldera, and the surrounding

Driving tourGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30If you prefer an easier outing, you can travel by vehicle instead. Riding the local shared taxis is a great experience, sharing the journey with people from the area.

Ceremony of Mayan Fire ProtectionGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00If you want to explore Mayan culture more deeply, the local guide can arrange a visit to a curasera, a traditional Mayan healer who can perform a Mayan healing and protection ceremony.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 to 88 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 27 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Los Elementos Adventure Center & Day Spa

Is this one for you?Choose the hiking route if you want to move through the villages on foot and get a closer look at daily life. Pick the driving tour if you prefer to cover more ground by vehicle and spend more time inside the studios and galleries. The Mayan Fire Protection Ceremony is a cultural experience separate from the standard village tour, offered on select departures for travelers interested in that specific practice.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What do you actually see in the weaving cooperatives?

The cooperatives in Santa Catarina show how weavers create the traditional textiles the village is known for, working with the deep blues, purples and reds that are woven into each design. You watch the process and can see the finished pieces in the galleries attached to the studios.

Does the tour include a meal or drinks?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. You'll have time to purchase meals or refreshments in the villages, but you should plan to bring water and snacks if you prefer.

How do I choose between the hiking tour, the driving tour, and the Mayan Fire Protection Ceremony?

You select your preferred option at checkout. The hiking route moves through the villages on foot and suits travelers who want to walk; the driving tour covers the sites by vehicle; the Mayan Fire Protection Ceremony is a separate cultural experience offered on certain departures. Your guide will tailor the pace and stops to the route you've chosen.

What time does the tour start and where do I meet the group?

Hotel pickup is included at selected Panajachel hotels, or you can meet the group at Xocomil Travel on Calle Embarcadero in Panajachel. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours total, including the round-trip transfer from Panajachel.

Is Lake Atitlan itself part of the tour?

Lake Atitlan is the setting for both villages (Santa Catarina and San Antonio sit on its shores), and you'll see the lake throughout the day. The tour focuses on the villages and their craft traditions rather than a boat excursion on the water.