Lema Association
Lema Association
4.5
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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About
Lema, one of the oldest weaving cooperatives in the Solola region, is located in the center of the historic and tranquil town of San Juan La Laguna that borders Lake Atitlan. All of the textiles at Lema are made by local artisians that use natural dyes to create a diverse array of culturally authentic textiles. In addition to the store, Lema offers an authentic Guatemalan experience in a Tzutujil village through their home stay experience! The package includes a complete cultural experience in San Juan La Laguna. Each homestay offers two bedrooms with one to two beds. Bathrooms are shared with host families and other guests. Three authentic, homecooked, Guatemalan meals are provided daily. Homestays also offer traditional weaving classes, local coffee plantation tours, fishing tours, and guided hike of the "Mayan Face."The store is located up the hill from beautiful Lake Atitlan. San Juan La Laguna attracts many tourists with its tranquility and authentic Mayan culture. You can either take the minibus from Antigua or embark on a short ferry ride from Panajachel, a more urban area with many bars and restarants.Once you arrive at the San Juan dock, Lema is about a seven minute walk directly up the hill. Tuc Tucs are available to transport guests and luggage for a small fee of 5 quetzales.A basic understanding of Spanish for the home stay experience is advisable. WiFi is not available but there are many internet cafes within walking distance. Feel free to contact us with any questions! We look forward to meeting you!
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

4.5
23 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
4
Average
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Terrible
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Diane H
Chicago, IL34 contributions
Feb 2020
I visited Rosa's shop and had a demonstration of the local natural dyeing process, followed by a lesson in backstrap weaving. I had studied natural dyes before this demo, so was particularly interested in their cultivation of cochineal insects for dyeing. Maria gave me the tour (I had little Spanish, but she used her phone and google translate quite effectively before the translator we hired arrived...it's an accessible tour even without much Spanish). The place where the cactus are growing and harvested, including the greenhouse where they are collecting the cochineals was most interesting. Maria demonstrated the dyeing process , including using vinegar and aluminum salts to alter the pH and change the color of the dye. Following the demonstration, we returned to the shop at Lema to see how the warp is strung for the backstrap weaving process. Maria demonstrated, then gave me a chance to try some weaving. It is harder than it looks to get your mind and your hands to work together to weave successfully. I had enough time to get the feel for what I was doing, and to recognize the worth of all those woven things in the shop. It took about 2 hours, so we had the afternoon to explore the town. Rosa has built up a great business that benefits the local women, so if you're in the town and looking for textiles to take home, give this place a look!
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Colleen54097
Narragansett, RI14 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
I love to stop in at Lema whenever I'm in San Juan! The textiles are just beautiful, and they capture the traditional arts of dyeing and weaving while also incorporating great, trendy designs. The women are always friendly and helpful; they often answer my natural dye questions even if I am not a paying customer for one of their demonstrations. Just genuinely great customer service and lovely handmade products!
Written 18 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tickflea
Atlanta, GA4 contributions
May 2017 • Family
The people at Lema are great! Their products are some of the nicest in the area, well made, and well designed.
Written 1 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicholas W
4 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Another great weaving store that is home to handmade items from hacks sacks to hammocks! What a great family that runs this store, they are such caring and loving people. Definitely go check them out and see what all they have to offer!
Written 28 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cbartonicek
Burlington, VT10 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
This cooperative of women are some of the sweetest and most inspiring women I have ever met. San Juan La Laguna is not quite in the radar of most tourists visiting Lake Atitlan, but it really should be! Mostly because of this cooperative. This cooperative was a power struggle with the men of this town solely to the fact they did not want a group of women operating a storefront in town. It took them 7 years (!) to receive approval from them to simply open the store. They are now there, creating incredible textiles, and all sorts of incredible products from the textiles, from the hand-spun, hand-dyed, hand-woven yarn they create, all with natural dyes using local plants. Truly an amazing and unique place to visit.

The store is a showroom of their process and products. You can even sign up for workshops!

The women mostly speak Spanish, but if you approach them, they will certainly share their story with you!
Written 13 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tommNJ
Fair Haven, NJ2 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We wandered into the shop to find not only beautiful colors and patterns in the fabrics but also wonderful artwork being painted on the columns. With little understanding of each other's languages, we then were given a delightful and informative demonstration of how the fabrics were dyed, spun, and woven.
Written 13 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DeliaLop
Oakland, OR198 contributions
Feb 2017
I stopped in looking around town nice cotton clothing, I bought a cream colored shirt for 120Q lower cost here than several other places.
Written 14 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

drewtippet
Chicago, IL5 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
I stayed with the family above the shop and had an absolute blast. They are truly down to earth and sweet people. I participated in the weaving workshop and while I struggled personally, the women were patient and managed to correct my many mistakes. After, I had an awesome scarf as product of my and their work! I would recommend it to anyone who is in the town of San Juan.
Written 3 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lieselotte V
Ghent, Belgium12 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
I did the weaving class with Tanja, and it was amazing. It's great to make your own scarve, of course with the help of the real weavers :-) and in the mean time they tell you about the deying techniques and about their life.
The other things they have in the shop are also absolutely amazing.
I can absolutely recommend going there and spend some time with these lovely ladies.
Written 4 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dr_ruthSydney
Sydney230 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
As a part of a cultural tour of the pueblo we visited this store where the store manager was sitting weaving , explained the dying method in Spanish. We had already been to another cooperative but were attracted to the unusual display items. The colours are more muted than many of the brights available at souvenir stores around about.

They stocked hammocks, beach bags, clothing and other woven whatnots. Much more usable colours that don't streak GRINGO. We bought a bag with a beautiful design which had a self tie in cream, wine and mustard but many other pastels and brights were there too. A satisfying experience to buy souvenirs you're actually likely to use at home.

The other thing is that we are supporting the women's textile cooperative in a very underprivileged country.
Written 2 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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LEMA ASSOCIATION (San Juan la Laguna) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Lema Association

Lema Association is open:
  • Sun - Sun 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Mon - Sat 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM