Guatemala – In & Beyond the Classroom

You’ll be based in Quetzaltenango (called “Xela” – shay-lah by the locals), four hours from the capital city. Known as the “city that is the soul of culture,” Xela is the epicenter of indigenous Maya art and music.

Delve into the well-kept traditions of the Maya and get to know the Xelaju people in a town full of historical treasures and scenic beauty. On any given day, you’ll see local families in the narrow city streets — adorned in brightly colored traditional fabrics, walking past artisan markets selling age-old handicrafts. In the distance, vast plains make way for volcanoes that scrape the sky. 

Since the peace accords were signed in 1996, the indigenous Maya communities have been struggling to preserve the culture and fully claim their place in society.  You’ll support Maya schools by developing learning materials and educational games that reinforce the teachers’ lessons. These teaching aids live on after you depart as a sign of solidarity and support for this community.

Explore rural Guatemala, meeting a traditional Shaman who teaches you about Maya cosmology. Dive into Guatemala’s rich culture by learning how to make colorful indigenous textiles and play the marimba (the national instrument of Guatemala).

Explore Guatemala’s cultural treasures with a visit to Antigua, a charming colonial town with gorgeous architecture and narrow cobblestone streets. Visit the largest craft market in the world, navigating locals selling everything from bright cloths to colorful flowers and medicinal plants. Trek to Lake Atitlan and experience its peaceful beauty.

The first night of the journey will be spent in the charming colonial city of Antigua. Unwind in a centrally-located 3-star hotel walking distance to Antigua’s many markets and bustling alleyways. Continue to the cultural hub of Quetzeltenango where we’ll base ourselves in a completely private compound. Relax in one of the common areas or in the grassy backyard with the group. All rooms are double, single or group occupancy (upon request). As it is a house, bathrooms are shared in the common hallways and meals are prepared in the kitchen. At the end of the trip, visit the picturesque Lake Atitlan and stay in a basic hotel in one of the villages along the lake.