Set above Lake Atitlán in the predominantly Maya community of Santa Catarina Palopó, Casa Palopó (the first Relais & Châteaux hotel in the country and one of the most award-winning) offers travelers a particularly immersive way to experience Guatemala’s living culture. Throughout a stay, guests can learn the ancestral art of making tortillas by hand using masa and fire; visit nearby San Juan La Laguna for textile workshops and an introduction to the region’s weaving traditions; and participate in a traditional Maya Blessing Ceremony led by a local shaman. One of the property’s most meaningful connections to its community is Pintando El Cambio (Painting the Change), a long-running initiative that has transformed the village’s homes with colorful patterns inspired by the traditional huipiles worn by local women. Casa Palopó launched and leads the initiative, and today guests can pick up a brush and paint alongside local families, becoming a small part of a project centered on cultural identity, community pride and preservation. Painting the Change/Pintando el Cambio: https://casapalopo.com/social-responsability-project/ The connection to Guatemalan heritage extends throughout the hotel itself, where handwoven textiles, locally sourced art, antiques and traditional craftsmanship are incorporated into a colorful, contemporary interpretation of the country’s design traditions. Experiences – Casa Palopó