Santa Catarina Palopo

Santa Catarina Palopo sits on a steep slope above the eastern shore of Lake Atitlan, and since 2016 a project has been painting the outside of its houses in the blues, turquoises and geometric figures taken from the huipiles the women of the village wear, with each household choosing from a set of designs. Several hundred houses have been done, and from the water the village reads as a block of pattern on the hillside. The intention was to bring income into a poor community through visitors and to put its own design language on its buildings rather than someone else's. Weaving cooperatives sell in the village and the lake is directly below.

Highlights

• Houses painted in huipil patterns - the village's own designs on its walls.
• The view from the water - the painted slope seen from a boat.
• Weaving cooperatives - the source of the patterns, selling in the village.
• The steep lakeside setting - the village stacked above the shore.

When to go

Dry-season months from November through April. Half a day, usually combined with Panajachel. Morning light on the eastern shore is best for the painted houses.

Good to know

The village is small and the visit is short. Streets are very steep. Sellers approach visitors persistently. The painting project is recent and some find it more attractive in photographs than in person.

Nearby

Panajachel is west; San Antonio Palopo lies south along the shore.

Key facts