San Juan La Laguna

San Juan La Laguna is just a very small village, some 30 minutes from Panajachel on Lake Atitlan, in the Guatamalan mountains. It can also be reached in about ten minutes from San Pedro, by tuktuk.

This is a small village, on a very steep hillside with some 3,000 inhabitants. But they do have very artistic tendencies. Here, I found master weavers and painters, all exercising powerful forms of their artistry.

The village sits in the shadow of the mountain Las Cristilinas, which I understand is able to be climbed. Of course, I did not climb.

The weavers are very creative, and professional . They use only natural substances for dyes. The artists produce compelling work that jumps on the eyes. There are weaving schools, as well as Spanish/English schools. Truly an artistic community.

This is a very clean , proud town ..where ten minutes walk will get you anywhere. Adequate and very view conscious restaurants and hotels make this a very desirable location.

I would love to spend a week..and get to know the people and the artisans..I was very impressed. This is a come back place for me.