Weaving with Milvia in San Antonio Aguascalientes from Antigua

Watch a weaver work the ancient loom, then make lunch with her family

This four-hour activity takes you by public bus from Antigua to the mountain village of San Antonio Aguascalientes, where you learn waist loom weaving directly from Milvia, a weaver who inherited the craft through her family. You participate in preparing chicken pepian, a traditional Guatemalan dish, and eat lunch together. The experience is built around the actual work and daily life of a family practicing textile arts that have passed through generations.

The experience

The day starts with pickup from Antigua's central park, then a walk to the bus station where you board a public bus bound for San Antonio Aguascalientes. Once you arrive, the walk to Milvia's house is short. She and her family receive you there, and the waist loom, the tool that defines Guatemalan weaving, is where the learning begins. You see how the loom works, how the threads are arranged, and what it takes to produce the patterned cloth that fills the village's markets and homes.

After the weaving session, you move into the kitchen to prepare chicken pepian, a dish built on a tempered seed sauce that carries the region's flavor. You work alongside the family, making corn tortillas on the comal and mixing the components that will become lunch. A natural drink (fruit juice or an infusion of Rosa de Jamaica, tamarind, or horchata, depending on what is available) rounds out the meal. You eat together, not as an observer but as part of the table.

The return follows the same route: a walk back to the bus station, the public bus to Antigua, and a final walk to the central park where the morning began. The whole outing takes four hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Lunch including chicken pepian (or vegetarian option), corn tortillas, and a natural drink.
• hands-on experience learning waist loom weaving with Milvia.
• pickup from Antigua central park.
• public bus transportation to and from San Antonio Aguascalientes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Senior (56 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

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 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Stroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Impact Connection Guatemala

Is this one for you?Pickup from Antigua's central park and public bus transport mean you don't need a car or a separate ride to reach the village. If you're staying in Antigua without transportation, this activity gets you to an authentic weaving family and back within a single morning or afternoon.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

10 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is a waist loom and how is it different from other looms?

A waist loom is a simple backstrap loom where one end of the warp threads attaches to a fixed point and the other end wraps around the weaver's waist, allowing the body to control tension. Milvia uses this traditional method, which has been the primary weaving tool in Guatemalan highlands for centuries and produces the narrow, intricately patterned textiles the region is known for.

Do I need any weaving experience to participate in this activity?

No experience is required. Milvia teaches you directly at her loom, so you learn as you go. The activity is designed for families with children and for anyone seeking a hands-on connection to the craft, regardless of prior skill.

What is chicken pepian and will I actually cook it myself?

Chicken pepian is a traditional Guatemalan stew made with a sauce of ground seeds, spices, and either chicken or vegetables, served with rice. You participate in the preparation alongside Milvia's family, making the corn tortillas and helping with the components, then eat the meal together at their table.

How do I get to San Antonio Aguascalientes from Antigua without a rental car?

Public buses run regularly from Antigua's bus station to San Antonio Aguascalientes. Pickup is included from Antigua's central park, where you walk to the station to board. The bus ride is part of the experience, and the return follows the same route back to the park.