Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena (Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles and Clothing), Guatemala City (must see)

The Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles and Clothing is a top-tier destination for visitors fascinated by Guatemala’s living textile heritage. Established in 1993, the museum serves as both a cultural guardian and educational hub-dedicated to collecting, preserving, researching, and showcasing the extraordinary craft of Mayan weaving.

Inside, guests explore a thoughtfully arranged series of seven permanent galleries, each exhibiting hand-woven textiles, huipiles, ceremonial costumes, traditional dyes, and weaving tools from diverse indigenous communities across Guatemala-from the colonial era to the present. The museum also includes ceramic items, jewelry, books, and artworks by renowned Guatemalan artists like Andrés Curruchich and Mónica Torrebiarte.

Visitors can deepen their experience through guided tours that not only illustrate the history and symbolism behind traditional garments but also culminate with a hands-on weaving workshop-illustrating techniques such as backstrap loom weaving.

Cap off your visit at the on-site fair-trade museum shop, which features artisanal textiles produced in collaboration with local weavers, making it both a cultural exploration and a socially positive shopping experience.