Guatemala
Through my work with Teysha and Whole Planet Foundation, I have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time in the incredible country that is Guatemala. Where to even begin!!! Below are some of my top recommendations for art/ artisans/ ethical fashion/ beautiful hotels/ places to see. Inspiration is absolutely everywhere.
In Antigua
Art/ Fashion-
The Teysha Workshop - visit our boot making workshop, meet our team, and design your own pair.
Stela 9 - amazingly designed clothes, bags, and more. Also an incredible airbnb and cafe!
Nim P'ot - a must-see destination for all things Artisan in Guatemala, laying out the beautifully woven textiles by region as well as a wonderful representation of many of the crafts you can find in Guatemala. Everything is sourced fair-trade and you can pay with a credit card which makes for easy gift shopping.
Casa del Tejido is a great resource for in-depth learning about the culture and art of weaving in Guatemala.
Mercado de Artesanias - large artisan market by the bus station full of wonderful crafts and people.
Places to stay-
Panza Verde (heaven on earth), Hotel Real Plaza (beautiful and tranquil), Hotel Casa Antigua (nice and very central), Stela 9, Casa Santo Domingo, Casa Del Sol (affordable Airbnb option).
Places to eat-
Breakfast/ Lunch: Samsara, Sabe Rico, Pappy’s BBQ, Cactus Tacos, Roots Cafe, Cafe Condessa, Fernando's Kaffe, Stela 9
Dinner: Cafe Porque No (reserve ahead of time, tiny spot), Angie Angie, Cafe No Se (mescal bar for drinks), Cafe Sky (best sunset view), Antigua Brewing Co (also great sunset view), Los Encuentros, Luna De Miel Crepes, Fridas.
You absolutely must go visit Hobbitenango for the day (and night if you're able to snag a reservation at their hobbit-houses). Unbelievable views of the mountains and volcanoes, lush greenery, incredible food, on-point decor, and just the loveliest atmosphere. Fun for the entire family.
Beyond Antigua, I recommend visiting Lake Atitalan, the market in Chichicastenango, Xela, Zunil, and so many more destinations to explore!
My other top favorite thing is to do a hike with Quetzaltrekkers, a non-profit based in Xela. We hiked with them over Christmas from Xela to Lake Atitlan over three days, definitely one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had in Guatemala! They have several different hiking trips to check out.
