For centuries, Mayan women have kept alive the tradition of weaving that produces some of the most globally recognized textiles. At a glance, it may appear these clothing pieces are fairly similar, but coming to understanding the history and culture of Guatemala and having the opportunity to take a closer look at textiles from several villages, you can glean that these textiles are far more complex and representative of more than you can imagine.

There are at least eleven villages surrounding Lake Atitlán, and you might visit them all for different reasons. I made it to four during my latest trip to Guatemala, and was amazed at how each village could be described as having its very own personality: Panajachel with its familiar vibe, illusory San Juan La Laguna, beguiling San Pedro, and reticent Santiago.

Guatemala is a Central American country just underneath Mexico that is home to Mayan culture, volcanoes, delicious coffee and so much more. It is one of the largest countries in Central America and hosts the most populous urban area, Guatemala City. There is so much to explore in Guatemala, but here are ten things I learned while there that I found most interesting.

Guatemala is fairly simple to navigate, even with limited Spanish. It can be as cheap or as expensive as you’d like depending on how you travel, but it’s important to note that your money can go a long way here. Convenient transportation like tuc tucs and chicken buses or meals at the local market rather than at restaurants are both ways to stretch your money.

Aside from visits to local markets and Mayan villages, taking a Guatemalan cooking class was as cinematic as it sounds. When I think about travel, food is almost synonymous, and it presents a unique opportunity to understand the history and culture of a new place through its best dishes.