Top Central Highlands Classes & Workshops

Go beyond just sampling Guatemalan cuisine at Antigua’s restaurants and learn to cook it for yourself at a cooking class. Visit a cooking school in Jocotenango village, and learn to make typical Guatemalan food, choosing from assorted dishes and picking up local cooking tips as you work. Then, savor your creations with your hosts on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Agua Volcano or in a colonial-style dining room.

About 20-minutes from Antigua, the peaceful town of Parramos is a world away from the bustling streets of Guatemala’s tourist capital, which makes it the perfect place for a family-led cooking class in a local home. A great way to immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Guatemalan cuisine, this small-group cooking class also gives you the chance to learn more about Guatemalan culture and stories.

Turn your cooking class in Antigua into an authentic cultural experience with a visit to the market. Learn about local ingredients, everyday life, and the different flavors that make up Guatamalan cuisine. In addition to practicing new cooking techniques under the guidance of your instructor and making 5 dishes, sample a variety of local fruits-including some you may have never seen before.

You will put to work your creativity by designing, cutting and carving your own jewel of Jade. You will be guided by one of our expert jade carvers so you can take home a unique creation, made with your hands. You will take with you a piece of our land and our culture. An incredible and unique experience, you can not miss! We await for you.

Immerse yourself in Guatemalan culture and cuisine with a small-group cooking class at Cuscun Cooking School in Antigua. First, visit the local market to shop for fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices, then get hands-on in the kitchen under the guidance of a local chef. Create a variety of typical Guatemalan dishes, such as ‘tamales, ‘pepián’ (meat stew), or chiles rellenos (stuffed chilies).

It will be 3 hours of Guatemalan magic, you will live a stately experience, where I will show you the cuisine of Guatemala. I will take you to my house that is located in one of the most exclusive areas of the city, you enjoy beautiful avenues from a 21st floor, and I will invite you to cook in my kitchen, I will take you back to the past with a demonstration of a Mayan ceremony, and we will be tasting the dish that you choose, I will explain step by step and where your dish comes from. Includes 3 times where I choose your entry and posts I am is a surprise to you. I use fresh and seasonal ingredients, traveling more than 200 km to bring the best of Guatemala and include it in your food. Depending on the season we can make hot cocoa, a surprise gift from our culture, I will take home a special ingredient, a photo with a typical Guatemalan costume. It is an activity to get out of the ordinary, and get to know Guatemalan culture in depth.

Within this open car tour to better live the experience, you will know the coffee processes in a different way since the experience is directly with a local coffee farmer , it is an incredible activity which you must live, you will know both planting processes, as well as you will drink artisan coffee, in one of the most iconic communities in the coffee world by the area of Antigua Guatemala

Take a morning to learn the Maya art of backstrap weaving in a beautiful central Antigua courtyard, surrounded by plants. Sit alongside a master weaver and learn her story. Guatemala is a country rich in its textile tradition, with lots of colors everywhere. But do you know what it really takes to create a weaving? Beginners can gain appreciation of this tradition, and advanced weavers can dive into the nitty gritty details of single-sided or even double-sided brocade. Stitch by stitch, learn to weave a traditional motif.

What makes this activity special At Casa San Miguel, participants not only watch a cooking demonstration, but become part of the experience. Guided by local chef David Farfán, travelers prepare authentic Guatemalan dishes using traditional techniques handed down from generation to generation. Small groups guarantee personalized attention, hands-on learning and a warm, familiar and welcoming atmosphere. Participants also enjoy Guatemalan coffee, local drinks and printed take-home recipes. The optional market tour adds an immersive cultural touch, connecting travelers directly to local ingredients and traditions.

Join a local family in a traditional village near Antigua and learn how to prepare authentic Guatemalan dishes using age-old techniques and locally sourced ingredients. Grind corn, seeds, and spices by hand using the ancient pedernal stone. Learn traditional Mayan cooking techniques and use heritage utensils. Enjoy dishes like Pepián, Jocón, Kak'ik, or a vegetarian option. Take the recipes and skills home to recreate the flavors yourself.

What sets this experience apart is its quiet intimacy and authenticity. Rather than a group-led ritual, this is a self-guided cacao ceremony, allowing each guest to move at their own pace and connect in a personal, unforced way. The ceremony centers on Guatemalan ceremonial cacao, honoring its cultural roots and heart-centered tradition. Every element—sage cleansing, intention-setting, ritual release, and gratitude—is intentionally simple, creating space for reflection rather than instruction. The result is a grounded, memorable experience—one that feels both sacred and approachable, and lingers well beyond the cup itself.

Pepian is one of Guatemala emblematic dishes, however on this cooking experience, you will learn how to make the Mayan San Antonio Aguas Calientes recipe: An explosion of flavors thanks to Mayan techniques. A unique experience you won’t see at any restaurant or cooking school.

Our workshop is quite hands-on, with an introduction to various coffee brewing methods, tips and tricks to get the best out of your brew, step-by-step guide and demonstration, as well as the opportunity to taste our Guatemalan coffee that we are for. so famous.

Step into the role of a true alchemist as you conjure your very own magical elixir at El Alquimista. Guided by an ancient manuscript and surrounded by mystical ambiance, you’ll mix enchanted ingredients, chant incantations (optional, but encouraged), and stir your bubbling cauldron to create the legendary Elixir of Euphoria — a dazzling, fruit-infused cocktail crafted with tequila, vodka, and a touch of enchantment. Watch as colors swirl, aromas rise, and your potion comes to life in a cauldron designed for two—perfect for sharing with a fellow spellcaster. Whether you’re a novice mage or a master of mixology, this hands-on experience is as whimsical as it is delicious. One cauldron serves two potions per sorcerer. Are you ready to stir up some magic? *Non-alcoholic option available for children and sober wizards.

Curioser and curioser! Step through the enchanted doors of El Alquimista, Antigua’s fantasy café and potions bar, and find yourself in a tea party straight out of a storybook — where time forgets itself, flavors defy reason, and the unexpected is always on the menu. Surrounded by curious contraptions, and shelves stacked with potions, you’ll delight in a whimsical spread of sweet and savory bites, crafted to charm both magical minds and mortal tastebuds. Sip from a steaming teapot of enchanted herbal infusion, brewed with Guatemalan herbs and spices—each blend more curious than the last, and chosen to stir dreams, awaken laughter, or calm the Queen of Hearts herself! So put on your finest hat (mad or not), bring your most peculiar friends, and prepare to sip, nibble, and giggle your way through an afternoon of wonder! Experience includes: -Two brownies with ice cream or an assortment of enchanted treats -Tartines of your choosing -A teapot with a tea/infusion/coffee

Sip three handcrafted cocktails in a candle-lit, magical space in Antigua, with a Potion Master to guide you through this enchanted tasting. Storytelling and lore create an immersive alternative to traditional gourmet experiences—with flair such as color-changing drinks, smoke, and flaming garnishes.

Experience a unique adventure where our visitors enjoy an authentic Guatemalan cooking class alongside locals, learning traditional recipes in a real kitchen steeped in history, flavor, and culture. You can also enhance your visit with a special option: a jade carving class, where you'll create your own piece while discovering the ancestral significance of this precious material in Guatemala.

Did you know that the ancient Mayan culturist developed the art of clay sculpture? Know some of the symbology of art in the collective imagination, and immerse yourself in the method of Jungian therapy and imagine your own fantasy of mud and make possible with the artisan mud

¡Descubre el arte ancestral de las muñecas quitapenas en San Lorenzo El Cubo! Únete a un taller único en la casa de Doña Rosa, donde aprenderás a crear tu propia muñeca mientras te sumerges en la calidez de una experiencia comunitaria auténtica. ‍ Hazlo tú mismo/a: diseña, crea y lleva contigo un recuerdo especial. Conecta con la comunidad: conoce la historia y tradiciones locales de la mano de Doña Rosa. Turismo sostenible: apoya directamente a las familias artesanas. Reserva tu lugar y lleva contigo un pedacito del alma de Guatemala. #ArtesaníaConAlma #SanLorenzoElCubo #DoñaRosa #Worrydoll

More than just coffee, this is an immersive tasting journey where fantasy meets specialty brewing in the heart of Antigua Guatemala. Each experience includes 3 carefully crafted signature lattes, designed with unique flavors, artistic presentation, and magical storytelling that transforms every drink into its own adventure. This activity is special because it combines creativity, ambiance, and high-quality coffee into a memorable ritual unlike a traditional café visit. Perfect for travelers, couples, and anyone seeking a distinctive experience, guests can explore imaginative beverages inspired by wonder and alchemy while enjoying one of Antigua’s most unique themed café settings. Optional dessert pairings elevate the journey even further, making it a truly enchanting escape.

Without a doubt, learning how to make Guatemalan pepián and plantain mole will provide you with a unique culinary experience and will bring you closer to the rich gastronomic tradition of Guatemala. Guatemalan cuisine is known for its diversity of flavors, native ingredients, and traditional culinary techniques that have been passed down through generations.

This activity is unique because it moves beyond standard sightseeing, offering an immersive cultural connection through the meditative process of painting in the heart of Antigua Guatemala. It transforms your stay into a hands-on creative journey tailored to any skill level, allowing you to capture the city's iconic beauty regardless of your experience.

Discover the magic of San Antonio Aguascalientes by visiting the home of Milvia, a talented weaver who inherited the ancient art of the waist loom. During this tour, you will learn about the rich tradition of Guatemalan fabric, immersing yourself in a unique cultural experience. In addition, you will participate in the preparation of the delicious cucumber, a typical dish full of flavor and history. This tour is ideal for seekers of cultural experiences, families with children and those who want to connect with authentic local traditions. Live unforgettable moments, get up close and personal with the life and work of a family dedicated to traditional art, and take memories for a lifetime.