A small town on Lake Atitlan, Santiago Atitlan is home to a tight-knit community of Mayan descendants. It was once the capital of the Tz’utujil people of the Mayan civilization and was originally known as Chuitinamit.

Most of those who live here are part of the religious cult of Maximón and its not unusual for visitors to view ceremonies paying homage to this deity.

Santiago Atitlan is also home to a unique museum - Cojol Ya Association Weaving Center and Museum, founded by the Cojol Ya Association of Mayan Women Weavers – which allows visitors to explore the history and process of backstrap loom weaving and view examples of traditional Tz’utujil dress.