Meet your friendly guide near your Puerto Quetzal cruise ship terminal and jump on board your transport. This educational and cultural shore excursion in Guatemala takes you to San Antonio Aguas Calientes, approximately a 90-minute drive from the Puerto Quetzal cruise terminal and located about 10 minutes away from Antigua City. Along the way, your guide will tell you fascinating information on your surroundings as well as Guatemala's history and culture. Passing famous volcanoes and amazing scenery, be sure to have your camera ready for the beautiful scenery and great photo opportunities. Complimentary bottled water is included.
The picturesque San Antonio Aguas Caliente is an indigenous town located just outside Antigua. Most of the town's residents are "Cakchiquel" natives, who are easygoing and super friendly. They are best known for their intricate unique weaving skills. The women use a backstrap loom to weave traditional patterns, beautiful dresses, and other different textiles.
Here you will find typical fabrics, threads, and waist looms, or simply enjoy the landscapes and colonial architecture.
You will be able to see firsthand how they work their magic using the looms to make beautiful pieces of clothes - artwork right before your eyes. Although weaving is what they are most famous for, the town's residents are also farmers; they harvest beans, corn, and coffee.
Be treated to a typical Guatemalan lunch, Pepian, which you will also have hands in preparing. "Pepián" is a thick meat stew and is one of the oldest and most recognizable dishes of Guatemalan cuisine. Its origin is influenced by Guatemala's colonial past and indigenous cuisine. The meat-based stew, thickened with gourd seeds, can be made with beef, pork, or chicken (beef is more common in urban centers) and its traditional recipes include tomatillo, tomato, and hot chilis.
While enjoying your lunch the spiritual Mayan guide will share with you a little about their culture, and traditions. They will also explain about the Nahual, a protective spirit that is represented by an animal. According to the Mayans, everyone has one and is unique to each person because it's according to their date of birth.
At the end of your Puerto Quetzal Shore Excursion, your guide will take you back to your Puerto Quetzal cruise ship terminal.
