Itinerary
For a day, forget about the digital world and travel in time...
We will travel to Amatenango del Valle, approx. 50 minutes from San Cristobal, a Tzeltal village where women to this day keep the tradition of pottery as it was done in pre-Hispanic times. The potters will explain the tradition and share the secrets of clay.
We will visit the workshop and gallery of Juana Gomez, creator of the giant jaguars, a nationally recognized potter and even abroad.
We will try a typical breakfast prepared for us by the artisan and participate in a workshop with her, during which we will try our artistic talent and have fun as children again.
An experience for all ages, particularly recommended for families with children!
See Availability.
Iguana Hostel, Chiapa de Corzo 16, Barrio del Cerrillo, 29220 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
Traveler pickup is offered
The tour ends in the main square of San Cristóbal.
09:00 AM
6 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Posted By : kiraj701
The tour was very nice! There was a pottery festival in town. We saw traditional dances and ate a lot of nice typical food (also many vegetarian options). After that we went to the pottery workshop. The different steps of the work were shown. We were allowed to potter our own things. We took them with us and dryed them at home.
Rudy translated everything very good!
Thanks for this experience. Would totally recommend.
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Posted On : 2023-11-05
Posted By : vagabundosdebaja
What a unique insight in the life of pottery artists! Ruddy invited us to participate in an experience that is to be cherished. Meeting the artist, Juana Gomez Ramirez, was the highlight of our experience. She shared her stories, her humor, and her experience as an indigenous artist. Our 9yo daughter enjoyed the art of pottery making with all the Juana's family of ceramics artists. We shared lunch and stories over the communal table and soaked in the atmosphere of indigenous pottery making. Thank you Ruddy and Monika for giving us the chance to connect with such amazing artists!
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Posted On : 2023-04-19
Posted By : larisaj364
This was an amazing and unforgettable experience, one we will hold dear. We work in Indigenous rights and land justice, and Rudy tailored our experience to that. His approach to the pueblo and the artists and their families is kind, thoughtful, and respectful, and we felt welcomed warmly and with care. The pottery art in the village is stunning, the meal was wonderful, and the workshop and tour experiences were some of the best we have ever experienced. We are really grateful to have been guided in this way by Rudy, and his reciprocal relationship with the artisan-teachers shows. In addition, he has a fascinating and deep perspective on local history and cultural issues. This was an absolute highlight of our trip - highly recommended.
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Posted On : 2023-04-13
Posted By : mafegaletti
This was a very special day for me, not only to understand more about their creative process, but for having the opportunity to have a good and open conversation with Albertina and her family at the delicious breakfast they offered us. She also instructed us on how to do their famous palomitas and it was a very nice activity. Thank you Ruddy for that, totally recommended.
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Posted On : 2022-12-04
Posted By : PaulaDubs
Amazing experience. We were taken to a beautiful village. The ladies made us an amazing breakfast with coffee from their own coffee trees. We were shown how to make different clay pieces by the ladies. Afterwards we were taken to another lady's pottery workshop and afterwards we went out to their farm with their family to pick vegetables for a delicious bbq. The best part of this tour was talking with the women about the challenges they had faced in their community and how through their craft have been able to live a more independent and better life. All of the money for tour goes directly to the women, and Rudy does not take a fee for running these tours. A must do if you are in San Cristobal.
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Posted On : 2022-08-13
Posted By : MrsTrev27
Rudy was an excellent tour guide! Our kids don’t know Spanish, and he was great about explaining things to them in English so that they could be involved. Maria’s family was so welcoming and made us a delicious breakfast. The coffee was the best coffee I’ve ever had! We took a tour of the grounds and workshop and then learned how to make doves out of clay. Our daughters loved the experience of learning pottery from the experts. They had a daughter the same age as our kids and they all enjoyed playing together in the yard. There is a small shop where you can purchased handcrafted pottery. Definitely a must do!
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Posted On : 2022-07-29
Posted By : willisjohnston
This is the only tour company to adventure with in San Cristobal! We had the blessing of hiring the AMAZING and knowledgeable Rudy for a private tour of textiles and pottery. It was a day my partner and I will never forget. It moved us so very much. We got to experience a side of Mexico that so many never see, and we felt so welcomed by the artisans and their families. We were able to support the artisans with purchases of their amazing work, and at Juana Gomez’s taller, we got to learn how to sculpt with clay and made really cheeky monkey masks! Hands down one of the best days ever, and I can’t wait for more tours with Rudy next time I am in town!
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Posted On : 2021-12-12
Posted By : Pilar
Mari and Albertina were so warm and wonderful. I loved hanging out with them in their peaceful and beautiful pottery studio. My husband, teenager and I made a dove and a plant pot. Our guide, Rudy, is so knowledgeable about Mexico and of this region. This is important to us because when we are on vacation, we want to learn and soak up the culture and history of the communities we visit. This tour delivered and far exceeded our expectations. Thank you, Rudy!
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Posted On : 2021-07-21
Posted By : KellyM1053
This tour was one of our highlights in Chiapas. There are many tours that basically provide narration to an experience you could otherwise do yourself. This pottery workshop allowed us to interact with people we wouldn't have otherwise met, learn about the culture/people, and spend some time making art in a traditional way. (Note, my husband and I are both hobby potters, and they were able to adjust the workshop to be good for both beginners and those with more experience.)
Rudy was an amazing guide who went above and beyond. We purchased pottery from the artists and were trying to figure out how to get it back to the US with us. Rudy went above and beyond, transporting the packed pottery to Tuxtla Gutierrez the following weekend so we could pick it up and pack it in our luggage.
If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and make time for this tour.
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Posted On : 2021-06-13
Posted By : Alicia123b
We had an amazing experience, Rudi was an excellent tour guide was very friendly. He picked us up on time and dropped us back off to our accommodation. The pottery workshop felt very authentic and allowed us to meet Mayan women, it didn’t feel over touristy. I really enjoyed making pottery with them, it was very relaxing and enjoyable. We also learnt about how they make bigger sculptures. They cooked us a delicious lunch as well. Overall a great day and would definitely use this company again.
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Posted On : 2021-06-01
