The three backstrap-loom class listings compared here all teach the weaving of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, the Kaqchikel town next to Antigua: Museo Casa del Tejido Antiguo teaches “4 hours of one- on-one minute by minute weaving instruction” with all materials included, but prints no fee, while Etnica sells a 3-hour workshop with San Antonio women weavers for $125 (USD) and Columbus Guatemala Travel lists one from USD $56.00 (read 10 November 2026). Casa del Tejido is open Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00.
In short: For the longest, most one-to-one lesson, contact Casa del Tejido in San Antonio and ask the price. For a packaged half-day with transport from your Antigua hotel and lunch, Etnica’s workshop starts at 9:00AM. Etnica teaches in Spanish; a translator costs extra.
The three classes side by side
Each organizer’s own page, read 10 November 2026.
| Museo Casa del Tejido Antiguo | Etnica, Weaving and Brocade Workshop | Columbus Guatemala Travel, Weaving Workshop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Its museum, 0 Avenida 4-16 Zona 4, San Antonio Aguas Calientes | A culture and weaving school in San Antonio founded by Kaqchikel weavers | Listed as Antigua, Sacatepequez; the page describes San Antonio’s weaving |
| Length | 4 hours | 3 hours, starting 9:00AM from your Antigua hotel | Listed as 1 hour (approx.); the text says 3 hours |
| Teaching | One-on-one, San Antonio technique | Women weavers of San Antonio, in Spanish | Not stated |
| Materials | All materials included | Needle, backstrap loom and threads | The backstrap loom, which can be packed to take home |
| Extras | History of the craft | Round-trip chicken bus, textile demonstration, rustic lunch, contribution to the project | Focus on small pieces such as a napkin |
| Price printed | None | $125 (USD); group size 2 - 2; the page does not say whether per person | From USD $56.00; booking box from $60.00 |
Museo Casa del Tejido Antiguo
The museum calls itself “the premier stop for information on Guatemala’s unique cultural heritage of ancient weavings”. Its backstrap class teaches “the specific technique or style of backstrap loom weaving from San Antonio Aguas Calientes”, which it describes as a Kakchiquel-speaking community near Antigua, together with the history of the craft. All materials are included, and the lesson is one-on-one for 4 hours.
The same page sells two other options: a typical bracelet, with all materials and a choice of colors, and a Traditional Guatemalan pepian cooking session with ingredients and instructions included. No price appears for any of the three on the home, About Us or Contact pages (checked 10 November 2026). Contact: (+502) 5908 7509 or the form on its Contact page. Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00.
Etnica’s workshop with San Antonio weavers
Etnica’s booking page says a local host meets you at your hotel at 9:00AM and takes you by chicken bus from the market to San Antonio Aguas Calientes, to a culture and weaving school founded by a group of Kaqchikel Maya weavers. The women teach the backstrap loom and the brocade technique, and the day ends with a rustic lunch with them before the return to your hotel.
Included, per Etnica: the 3-hour workshop in Spanish, the round-trip chicken bus, a textile demonstration, materials (needle, backstrap loom and threads), the finished piece, the lunch (special diets with prior notice) and a contribution to the project. A translator can be added on the payment page. Etnica’s one-day policy allows a possible refund for cancellations at least 48 hours before departure, made by email with Cancellation in the title, and none after that. Etnica describes itself as an intermediary that works with local operators and families.
Columbus Guatemala Travel’s weaving workshop
Columbus Guatemala Travel’s booking page lists a Weaving Workshop from USD $56.00, with its booking box showing from $60.00, and gives the duration as 1 hour (approx.) while its own description says the workshop develops the skills in 3 hours. The loom used in class can be packed for you to take home and finish, and the session concentrates on small pieces such as a napkin. Ask which length and price apply before you pay.
Before you go: learning to read San Antonio weaving
Nobi, a family shop in San Antonio Aguas Calientes, 30 minutes from Antigua by its own description, runs a one-hour presentation, Todo sobre San Antonio A.C., for Q25 per person including a hot drink, given as a PowerPoint with subtitles in Spanish and English. It covers why San Antonio weaving is expensive, how to tell it from other towns’ textiles and how to distinguish hand-woven from machine-made cloth. Nobi says its presenters belong to San Antonio’s INGUAT-certified community guides. It is a talk, not a weaving class.
Other weaving classes in Guatemala
The backstrap loom and how museums classify it by town are explained on Guatemalan traditional clothing. For a cooperative class in Quetzaltenango with published quetzal prices, see community tourism in Guatemala. On Lake Atitlan, workshops with natural dyes are on San Juan La Laguna textile tour, and the Santiago museum on Cojolya weaving museum. The town itself: San Antonio Aguas Calientes.
Sources
- Museo Casa del Tejido Antiguo, home, About Us and Contact, read 10 November 2026
- Etnica, Weaving and Brocade Workshop, read 10 November 2026
- Columbus Guatemala Travel, Weaving Workshop, read 10 November 2026
- Nobi, Actividades Culturales and Todo sobre San Antonio, read 10 November 2026
Prices and times are each organizer’s own published figures on 10 November 2026.
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- Genki Traveler: a monthly subscription for up to 12 months that covers up to €1,000,000 for unexpected medical care while traveling abroad, at public and private doctors and hospitals.
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- Faye: single-trip plans sold to residents of U.S. states (not U.S. territories); its FAQ lists emergency medical cover of up to $250K and emergency medical evacuation of up to $500K, and adventure and extreme activities need a paid add-on for medical cover.
Limits, prices and the altitude rules side by side: travel insurance for Guatemala · insurance for volcano hikes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I take a backstrap-loom weaving class in or near Antigua, and what does it include?
In San Antonio Aguas Calientes, the weaving town next to Antigua. Museo Casa del Tejido Antiguo there offers 4 hours of one-on-one instruction with all materials included; its website prints no fee (checked 10 November 2026). Etnica sells a 3-hour workshop with San Antonio women weavers, with chicken-bus transport from Antigua and lunch, for $125 (USD); Columbus Guatemala Travel lists a weaving workshop from USD $56.00.
How much does the Casa del Tejido weaving class cost?
Museo Casa del Tejido Antiguo does not print a class fee on its home, About Us or Contact pages (checked 10 November 2026). Ask by email or on (+502) 5908 7509.
Is the class in English?
Etnica says its workshop is taught in Spanish by the San Antonio weavers, with a translator available as a paid add-on. Casa del Tejido and Columbus Guatemala Travel do not state a language.
Do I keep what I weave?
Etnica includes the final piece. Columbus Guatemala Travel says the backstrap loom can be packed for you to take home and finish, and that its workshop focuses on small pieces such as a napkin.
When is Casa del Tejido open?
Its About Us page lists Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00, at 0 Avenida 4-16 Zona 4, San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Sacatepequez (checked 10 November 2026).
