Name: Living Mayan Culture
Start: 2024-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-01-24T00:00:00.000Z
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico

Jewel Murphy

17 reviews

Jan 15 - 24, 2024

Group size: 6 - 8

Living Mayan Culture

San Cristobal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico

$2,495

Deposit: $500

Jan 15 - 24, 2024

Group size: 6 - 8

San Cristóbal de las Casas is a magical, chic, international town high up in the Sierra Madre mountains of Southern Mexico. Magical, in part, because it is surrounded by Mayan villagers whose ancestors built the great cities of Palenque and Bonampak. Today they live in largely autonomous communities with feet planted in both the traditional and modern worlds. They speak their own languages, make their own clothes, practice a syncretic religion blending Catholicism and native ideas but also use cell phones and WiFi. The legacy of colonialism, liberation theology and the Zapatista rebellion of 1994 are all part of the story of resiliency we witness. We’ll use San Cristobal as our homebase while take day trips to nearby villages. We have planned the trip around several village festivals both religious and secular. You’ll visit 5 different indigenous communities and learn how clothing, food and ceremony contribute to a unique and vibrant community life, one very different from ours. Please note the itinerary is subject To change based on opportunity, enthusiasm and whim.

- Intimate visits to 5 different indigenous villages

- Visits to 3 different community festivals

- A focus on learning about the textile traditions, IMO, the most intact and active in all of Mexico. Meet with a curated selection of award winning artisans, curators, designers and women’s co-operatives.

- Time at a ceremonial center blending Catholicism and native religions described by travel writer Nick Ryder as ”one of the most intense religious centers anywhere“.

- Boat ride through a stunning natural canyon with monkeys, alligators and great birdwatching

-Many opportunities to shop artisan direct and also to shop the San Cristóbal street markets some of the best in the country. Pom Pom lovers take note.

- DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS

Your $500 deposit is non refundable and holds your place. Final non refundable payment is due 30 days before the start of the trip. Please be committed to this trip Failure to make your final payment in 30 days before the trip may forfeit your deposit and your place. We only offer refunds if the tour is cancelled because of government imposed restrictions and or lockdowns in which case there there will be a full refund This is the rare exception to our no refund policy.

INSURANCE -

Medical Travel insurance will be required for this trip as we will be in a remote location. We also recommend trip cancellation insurance as well for your own peace of mind. Lots of people like https://www.travelinsure.com and they cover both.

Transportation
Comfortable and private vans
Lodging
Based on double occupancy. We’ll stay in a centrally located hotel with beautiful gardens.
Most meals
We’ll take most meals together but you’ll have several evenings to explore the great food scene in San Cristóbal. We’ll explore a variety of cuisines from street food to four star
Guide Services
Our charming, licensed guides are bi lingual and have both lived in San Cristóbal for many decades .
Entrance Fees
Educational Materials
We’ll provide you with a Chiapas centered reading list and our personal recommendations for shopping, food and drink. Plus complimentary travel journal

Airfare/Transfer to SC
You will be responsible for airfare. The closest airport is Tuxtla Guittierez about 75 minutes by vehicle fromsan Cristóbal. Shuttles are plentiful and can be arranged for an additional charge
Gratuity & Tips
Completely at your discretion
4 Dinners
We want to give you the opportunity to explore San Cristobal on your own. It’s tiny, walkable and full of great restaurants. Or stay close to home and eat at our hotel. Your choice
Personal Shopping
There are lots of great things to buy from market trinkets to weaving commanding large sums. We recommend budgeting about $500 to $2,000 for shopping.
Alchohol
On your own Amigos.
Travel insurance
INSURANCE - Travel insurance will be required for this trip as we will be in a remote location. We recommend travelinsure.com

Single supplement - add $495

$495

Gathering Together
Gathering Together
Mon Jan 15
We’ll meet for a light meal in our cozy B and B and have a little meet and greet.

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Exploring & Museum Day
Exploring & Museum Day
Tues Jan 16
We start at a historic museum where we learn about the colonial legacy, the enslavement of the Mayan people and the last of the independent indigenous tribes. After lunch we head down to the mind blowing Mayan Textile Museum for a private tour. Our day ends right next to one of the largest indigenous crafts markets in Mexico. Free to explore and we’ll meet later for a welcome dinner
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The Village Church
The Village Church
Wed Jan 17
Today we head to the market and ceremonial center of San Juan Chamula -

We’ll learn about the traditions of their blended religion and visit home altars, their cemetery and their church filled with incense and candles. Pretty sure you’ve never seen anything like it. On our way home we visit a museum dedicated to the social justice work of Bishop Samuel Ruiz.

Back in town the evening is free to explore and enjoy dinner on your own.
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The Market & the Artist
The Market & the Artist
Thur. Jan 18
We’ll stay in town this morning and visit the staggeringly packed and colorful Mercado and learn about what a local food economy looks like. This is one of my favorite Mexican markets. Afternoon visit to indigenous poet, artist and weaver Maruch in her village. We lunch with her family and learn about textile traditions and contemporary culture. Evening on your own in San Cristóbal
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A pottery Village
A pottery Village
Fri. Jan 19
Today we head down from the mountains to a Mayan village specializing in ceramics. We visit with two families and learn how life has changed over time for them. Because their craft is pottery, you don’t find woven textiles but they have their own traditional dress here which is beautiful.
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San Sebastián Festival
San Sebastián Festival
Sat. Jan 20
We head to Zinacantan, land of flowers where they celebrate their village saint today. We visit both the “official” and the “unofficial” church. Expect music, fireworks, dance in a display that is both solemn and festive. Afterwards time with a weaving family and we end the day with a trip to the Mayan Medicine Museum. Evening on your own.
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Deep Nature & A Fiesta
Deep Nature & A Fiesta
Sun Jan 21
We head down into the lowlands this morning for a boat ride through the magnificent Sumidero Canyon home

of birds, crocodiles & monkeys.

Afterwards we head to Chiapa de Corzo a town famous for lacquerware (an insect derived process where they paint the gourds using only their fingers). The town is having a festival so we’re hoping for multiple parades. We will also have the opportunity to visit home

altars dedicated to the the village saints !
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San Idelfonso Saint Day
San Idelfonso Saint Day
Mon. Jan 22
Today we go out to the village of Tenejapa as they celebrate their saint day. Lucky us. We also include visits with the longtime women’s weaving cooperatives and pom pom makers. (Footnote - Pom poms are part of the traditional men’s dress in this community but they have adapted them for the tourist industry. I am a tiny bit of a pom Pom aficionando and these are the best of the best). Our day ends at the beautiful and moving Romerillo hilltop cemetery. Dinner on your own later that evening.
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Exploring Town & Textile
Exploring Town & Textile
Tues Jan 23
A final day to pack and do last minute shopping, get a massage, visit an orchid garden or whatever your heart desires. Late afternoon we meet with humanitarian activist Sergio Castro in his home which is part doctors office and part Museum filled with treasures his grateful patients have gifted him. He’ll share stories about his textile collection and his work treating burn victims in the highlands. And finally we’ll end with a celebratory farewell meal.
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Our Final Farewell
Our Final Farewell
Wed Jan 24
Some of you will stay on for a few more day, some head home (we’ll help arrange transport), and some head out to the ancient Mayan ruins in the jungles. Grateful to have this adventure with everyone.
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Gathering Together

Mon Jan 15

We’ll meet for a light meal in our cozy B and B and have a little meet and greet.

Jewel Murphy

17 reviews

I’m an award winning floral designer and shopkeeper indulging my late in life wanderlust. Sharing Mexico with others is my love language. I believe in slow travel, cultivating authentic cross cultural experiences, reciprocity, eating well and having fun. With two decades of travel experience, I’ve carefully curated my tours to take you places you might otherwise never see and to visit people who are world class artisans and caretakers of their cultural heritage.

A one of a kind experience! I had a fabulous time with an extraordinary guide, fabulous accommodations and unbelievable experiences.

By Tobi S for Festival & Ceremony in Chiapas on Jan 29, 2025

This was an amazing and transformative 70th birthday trip for me. We returned almost two weeks ago, but today I still feel the effects of our time together. We shared an immersive art experience woven together by the brilliance of Mija and Jewel. Seamlessly, we moved from the beautiful Oaxacan villages, to the urban gems of Oaxacan City where we tasted, touched and experienced the authentic culture of this beautiful region. We started as individuals seeking our own intentions for this adventure and by the end of our time together had formed into one collective bonded by beauty, art, food, culture and the spirit of the Oaxacan people. We clearly saw the magic of the area through the lens of Mija and Jewel who are deeply rooted in the landscape of this area and its people. In my opinion, the only way to begin to understand the culture and the arts of this region is to be guided by our dear cultural creatives that are seasoned devotees to this area. All of our guides and artists were local and authentic and shared not only their artistry but also a deeper sense of meaning. I feel grateful to have found this artventure when on a whim and in need of a change of perspective, I googled, “best art retreat in Mexico”. Google was right, it was the best art retreat I could have imagined. Thank you Mija, Jewel and wonderful Cohort. Ellen/ Portland, OR.

By Ellen H for Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz on Apr 01, 2024

It was a great trip full of exploration and exposure to other cultures and experiences. Mija brings a caring attitude, joy & curiosity to the art experience and a sense of fun and adventure to the touring portion. Her intimate knowledge of Oaxaca deepened my appreciation for this magical place. I highly recommend!!

By Susan R for Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz on Mar 22, 2024

The trip with Jewel and Mija was beyond what I had hoped for. It was intimate, well planned, easy, real, and so much fun. Because of Mija and Jewel's connections we met and experienced local artists, cooperatives, and community settings that we would not ordinarily have access to. On at least 4 mornings prior to breakfast local artisans came to the Casa where we stayed to display and sell their work. It was fun to meet them, learn about their craft and support their work. Everything was curated from a place of authenticity and with the goal of offering up real and heartfelt experiences. The schedule provided a good balance between studio time and out and about time, as well as some free time thoughtfully folded in. There is nothing that I would change about the trip. It was fabulous on many levels.

By barbara c for Oaxaca Artventure with Mija Matriz on Mar 20, 2024

Jewel and Mija made this the trip of a life time. Learning the life of the Oaxaca people and their culture. We visited areas that the average tourist probably wouldn't have seen. Being involved with the communities. Accomodations were good and the staff were lovely at Casa Colonial. Mija provided the enthusiasm and demonstration for all levels of art students. I felt like an artist when I departed! I look forward to my next trip back to Oaxaca.