Most of the cultural classes available in Santa Cruz la Laguna are organized by Amigos de Santa Cruz, a great NGO that seeks to improve the lives of local people through education and economic empowerment. This is tourism that helps the community, tourism you can feel good about.
Culture
7 Unusual Guatemalan Vegetables & How to Prepare Them
Guatemala has so much more to offer than many people’s standard potato-onion-tomato lineup. Don’t miss out on the delicious flavors and textures offered by these 7 unusual Guatemalan vegetables.
Art Buying Guide To Lake Atitlán
‘You can either buy clothes or buy pictures,’ she said. ‘It’s that simple. No one who is not very rich can do both. Pay no attention to your clothes and no attention at all […]
How To Start A Business In Guatemala: The Story Of Atitlan Leather
Atitlan Leather is not your typical online store. It is a medium that connects the unique designs of Guatemala with the world. It is a place where you can both support the communities of […]
Survival Spanish: The Guatemala Edition
Hola! Are you planning to travel in Guatemala and lacking proficiency in Spanish? Fear not! You’ll meet lots of friendly folks here who are bilingual, especially in the tourism industry. However, it’s advisable to […]
A Deeper Look Into The History of Ancient Maya Tradition in Santiago, Lake Atitlan
Wild and wonderful Santiago is one of the most traditional Mayan towns on Lake Atitlan. The original name of this Tzu’tujil (Tzoo- tu-hil) Mayan town is Tz’Kin Jay, House of the Birds. And like […]
How To Visit Maximon, Santiago’s Most Misunderstood Mayan Deity
The Cofradias and Traditionalist ways of Santiago are quite “open” and receptive to outsiders and visitors. However, if you decide to visit Maximon, there a few things you must be aware of in order […]
How to Camp in the Atitlan Reserve
I am prone to the kind of anxiety that typically goes along with working a 9 to 5 job, and even in a location as picturesque as Lake Atitlan, the stress of my work […]
5 Things to Love About San Juan La Laguna
A truly lovely way to spend a day at Lake Atitlan is a trip to San Juan La Laguna, a quaint pueblo on the west shore of the lake. To get there from Pana, you […]
How To Bargain In Guatemala
Bargaining (i.e. haggling or arguing over a price) is a cultural phenomenon. My husband is Colombian. I am from the United States. He haggles to get a lower price on just about everything, even the […]
Woofstock Unites Atitlan in Defense of the Voiceless
With a napping puppy warming my knee and a margarita cooling my hand, I listened to live musicians play against the backdrop of the lake. Atitlan residents, locals, and tourists had joined at Azul […]
A Look Inside The Stray Animal Culture Of Lake Atitlan
It only takes a few moments after arriving at Lake Atitlán to see streets filled with furry tails and dirty paws. Don’t be surprised if you, like myself, find yourself melting at the abundance of […]
The True Atitlan: Looking Past the Keychains and Travel Agencies
When you first arrive at Lake Atitlan, you most likely land in Panajachel, the tourism heart of Atitlan. Storefronts, vendors, art galleries, and restaurants draw you in with their brightly colored tapestries, ethnic foods, […]