Authentic local experience with a community of women

Recommended by 90% of travelers

Panajachel, Guatemala

3 to 5 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Led by local women, this cultural tour of Santa Cruz la Laguna offers a fascinating insight into Maya life on Lake Atitlan and how the ancient traditions can still be seen in modern Guatemala. Arriving in Santa Cruz by boat, you'll meet the women at the dock and walk up to the town, where you'll visit a home for a cooking class, learn about local handicrafts, and relax with a steam bath in a traditional adobe temazcal.

Experience local life and be welcomed into a village home
Learn to cook traditional food and enjoy a homemade lunch
Try your hand at making local jewelry and traditional clothing
Enjoy a private tour run by local women in the community

Sample Menu

Main

Tamale

Rice base, spices and a special sauce wrapped in maxan leaves cooked over firewood. To choose with vegetables or chicken.

Main

Chipilín or bean tamales

Corn dough accompanied by chipilín leaves or beans wrapped in milpa leaves. Surprise accompaniment.

What's Included

Lunch
Sauna
Bottled water
Material for the craft workshop

Private transportation

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

PQRV+8C2, Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala
Wait for the women leaders at the main dock of Santa Cruz la Laguna, in front of the boats, at the main dock.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.9:00 am

Itinerary

Santa Cruz La Laguna

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Santa Cruz La Laguna

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.6

based on 31 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

An amazing authentic...

Deme_M, Jan 2026

An amazing authentic experience. Paula invited us into her home and showed us how to cook traditional guatemalan food and then we all enjoyed lunch together. She showed us her weaving and we even enjoyed the temazcal sauna she had in her home. She did not speak english but we managed . One of my favorite experiences.

Wonderful experience!

Emeline_Z, Feb 2025

We had an amazing time with Pauline & Elena & our translator Julie in Santa cruz. We were graciously welcomed into their home where they taught us how to cook a traditional mayan meal, bead bracelets & weave. We made pepian & tortillas, the meal was the best pepian we had in all of guatemala. We definitely recommend this experience to anyone wanting to learn more about the mayan culture in Guatemala. We also recommend an english translator if available. We were able to speak in spanish with the woman as well. We would love to go back & visit again one day. We are so thankful for our time with Pauline, Elena & Julie.

Did not show up

Julia_P, Jun 2024

We were so excited as the reviews and description for this experience looked amazing. Unfortunately, we waited for the hosts at the meeting place for an hour. They did not respond to any messages and we ended up getting a refund. So sad :(

Incredible experience

Antisha_C, Jun 2024

What an amazing experience this was. The ladies met us and took us back to their home for a great authentic jewelry and cooking lesson. The 2 women were very nice and even with a language barrier, they helped us every step of the way. The food turned out delicious.

Tour no showed

Jeannine_W, Mar 2024

We went all the way to Santa Cruz with our ticket confirmed the night before and they were not there. We contacted the tour directly and they said we had cancelled which we did not.

Cultural Day

Dahlia_S, Mar 2024

We loved having this cultural experience during our last full day in Guatemala. Ana and Francisca were very accommodating and patient with us. We had a great time cooking traditional Guatemalan food and the temazcal was surprisingly relaxing. We would highly recommend this experience for anyone interested in learning more about Guatemalan culture.

It was a refreshing and informative event!!

Marcia_D, Mar 2024

Preparing the food for lunch was amazing the children really enjoyed it along with us sitting all together and eating the meal. Making the jewelry was fun and the ladies were so welcoming; we felt right at home!

Favorite Guatemalan Experience

Michael_E, Mar 2024

The most authentic experience we had in Guatemala. Las mujeres de la luna were incredibly welcoming even though we did not speak perfect Spanish. They welcomed us into their home and were super fun to vibe with!! the weaving was our favorite part! it was such a fun process and so nice to take home our work! as well, the tamalitos de chiplin we helped prepare were sooooo good!!! and of course, the temezcal was so relaxing. overall, we learned so much!! Definitely different from our other touristy experiences around lake Atitlan. could not recommend more.

Waiting for a refund

Sarah_C, Apr 2023

We went to the meeting point a half hour early and no one at the spot had ever heard of the tour we were trying to take. We called and messaged the local company many times without an answer and the phone seemed to be disconnected. We contacted Viator who also was not able to connect with the local company. We are still waiting for a refund. On a positive note we met a local person who was able to find women i. The community to create a Similar experience for us and that was amazing. However we obviously had to pay out of pocket for the experience. Hoping Viator gets back to me Soon with the refund.