Top Things to do in Lake Atitlan
Countries
The 10 Best Gift & Specialty Shops in Lake Atitlan, Western Highlands
Discover the best top things to do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala including Casa Flor Ixcaco, Dalileo Chocolate, Jenna's Galeria, Artesania Tzunun Ya, TinteMaya, Manos Crucenas Artisan Store, Atitlan Women Weavers, Casa de Los Nawales, Multicolores, Thirteen Threads Fair Trade Store and Maya Women's Center.
Restaurants in Lake Atitlan
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. Dalileo Chocolate
3. Jenna's Galeria
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
4. Artesania Tzunun Ya
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The project of 'Tienda de Artesanias TzununYa' inicitated to support single mothers raising their children alone in the area of the Lake Atitlan. Through our Project, we selected single mothers and let them produce the products to increase their income. We sell products manufactured through the Guatemalan traditional weaving process. You may see this on Friday and Saturday.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Casa de Los Nawales
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
9. Multicolores
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Multicolores is a non-profit association of Mayan women artists who design and create hooked rugs and embroidered art. Working with 9 groups of women in 7 communities in the Guatemalan Highlands, Multicolores offers creative education, fair pay, and health and leadership programs to artists. Visit Multicolores’ headquarters to shop our exclusive gallery of contemporary textile art.
10. Thirteen Threads Fair Trade Store and Maya Women's Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Thirteen Threads (Oxlajuj B'atz') is a non-profit organization that provides a market for local indigenous women to sell their handmade products for a fair wage at our Fair Trade Store. It is one of the only fair trade markets in Panajachel. All products are of top quality and unique designs, and provide a brief history of the producer's cooperative. Products include textiles, jewelry, coffee an chocolate. Our store hours are from 9am-6pm Monday-Sunday, and we are closed from 12-2pm daily. We also provide day tours to many nearby communities to meet with women's cooperatives, hear their stories, and explore their craft. Tours are available 7 days a week and require 24 hour notice to reserve. If you are in town, stop by for a visit!
