Volunteer and Explore in a Mayan Village - Full Day

7 h 30 min Free cancellation

Volunteer and Explore in a Mayan Village - Full Day, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Here's your chance to volunteer and make a difference in a Mayan village if you have just one day.

Before your hands-on community service, start your day with a traditional Guatemalan breakfast. Then go behind the scenes to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Mam-speaking Maya via a walking tour of the village and a visit to the home of a local family.

After lunch and a demonstration of traditional backstrap weaving, share your skills and interests by engaging in meaningful volunteer work that will impact the lives of so many villagers.

Opportunities include assembling clean water filters or emergency food bags and delivering them to people's homes; assisting in the health clinic; engaging with children on art projects and soccer play; and practicing English with the staff.

78% OF YOUR ACTIVITY FEE DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE PROGRAMS and CLINICS of LOCAL HOPE/XELA AID THAT EMPOWER LOCAL FAMILIES and COMMUNITIES TO BE HEALTHY, EDUCATED AND SELF-RELIANT.

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At a glance

Duration: 7 h 30 min
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Local Hope Trips and Activity Packages

Ages: Infants (0–0 years) · Children (1–5 years) · Youth (6–18 years) · Adults (19–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Hand-woven keepsake from our Fair-Trade Weaving Coop
Included: Bottled water
Included: Snacks
Included: Lunch
Included: Breakfast

Not included

Not included: Gratuity for tour guide

Itinerary

1
San Martin Sacatepequez

7 hours
- WELCOME - 9:00AM: Traditional breakfast
- VILLAGE TOUR - 10:00AM: Stop by our fire ring of "naguals" for a brief lesson on Mayan cosmology. Next, a gentle walk to the village along streets lined with fields of corn, potatoes and other local crops. Go behind the scenes to learn about daily life
- VISIT A MAYAN HOME for an up-close, personal view of family life
- LUNCH, WEAVING DEMONSTRATION – Noon
- COMMUNITY SERVICE – 1:00-4:00PM: Become an honorary member of our Empowerment Team by serving on projects that will enrich lives.
You can choose to:
- Prepare clean water filters or assemble emergency food bags which you'll deliver right into people's homes
- Join a health project to assess children's health and distribute anti-parasitic medicines or vitamins
- Treat 20 kids to an art project or soccer game
- Practice English with one of our eager staff
- OUR FAIR-TRADE COOPERATIVE - Wrap up your day with a visit to our Fair-Trade Weaving Coop and to choose a hand-woven treasure

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

The tour starts at 9am and ends at 4:30pm at the Eco-Guest House in San Martin Chiquito - about an hour from Quetzaltenango, in the Western Highlands.

End point

The tour starts at 9am and ends at 4:30pm at the Eco-Guest House in San Martin Chiquito - about an hour from Quetzaltenango, in the Western Highlands.

Pickup points

From Quetzaltenango (about an hour from the village), you can choose the option of having us pickup/drop off from Central Park for an extra fee. Pickup at 8am. We will return you to Quetzaltenango at the end of the day. Please choose the "With Pickup in Quetzaltenango" option at checkout. The van holds up to 5 passengers. Please contact us with any questions.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Options

Meet at Tour Starting Point

Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks: Enjoy a traditional Guatemalan breakfast and lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients by our expert chef in our restaurant

Begin day at 9am, end at 4:30: Begin your day at 9am at the Eco-Guest House, San Martin Sacatepequez, with a traditional Guatemalan breakfast.
With Pick Up in Quetzaltenango

Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks : Enjoy a traditional Guatemalan breakfast and lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients by our expert chef in our restaurant

Pickup/dropoff: Quetzaltenango: Transport to/from Central Park in Quetzaltenango to the Village - about 1 hour away. $50 flat for 1-6 passengers, round trip.

Pickup included