Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cojolya Association of Maya Women Weavers
( 7721-7268;
www.cojolya.org
;
Calle Real, Comercial Las Máscaras, 2nd floor; donation requested; 9am-5pm
Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat)
This small museum is devoted to the art of backstrap loom weaving.
The well-designed exhibit shows the history of the craft and the process from spinning the
cotton fibers to the finished textile. There are also daily demonstrations of backstrap loom
techniques, and a small shop.
MUSEUM
Activities
There are several rewarding
day hikes
around Santiago. Most enticing of all are the three
volcanoes in the vicinity: Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro. Before attempting a climb, en-
quire about the current security situation. It's best to go with a guide; the Posada de Santi-
ago (
Click here
)
can set up a reliable one. Guided volcano climbs run about Q400 for two
to five persons.
Less daunting a challenge than the massive volcanoes in the vicinity,
Cerro de Oro
(1892m) still yields great views and features several Maya ceremonial sites. It's some
8km northeast, about halfway between Santiago and San Lucas Tolimán.
Asotur
(Asociación guías de Turismo 'Aj tz'ikin jaay'; 5160-9805; asotur@hotmail.es; Playa Pública;
8am-5pm Mon-Sat)
, an association of local Inguat-authorized guides, leads a variety of fascin-
ating tours in and around Santiago Atitlán. You can visit the Tz'utujil community of Chuk
Muk on the slopes of Volcán Tolimán, with an unexcavated archaelogical site (Q120 per
person); participate in workshops by local weavers, painters, sculptors and chefs, with a
visit to the market for ingredients; or take a lake trip by
coyuco
(wooden rowboat) to ac-
company reed cutters who'll demonstrate how they use reeds to weave mats (Q170). Their
office is in an orange storefront on the left as you're coming from the dock.
Another worthy destination is the
Mirador de Tepepul
, about 4km south of Santiago (four
to five hours round trip, Q150 per person). The hike goes through cloud forest populated
with many birds, including parakeets, curassows, swifts, boat-tailed grackles and tucanets,
and on to a lookout point with views all the way to the coast.
The pre-Hispanic Tz'utujil capital of
Chuitinamit
is across the inlet from Santiago. The
hilltop archaeological site features some carved petroglyphs as well as some fanciful
painted carvings of more recent vintage. From the dock, it's a 20-minute hike to the top,
where there are good views of Santiago. Asotur's guides can take you across the inlet by
coyuco
and accompany you up the tenuous trail to the site.