Weekday mornings are spent in class, but special activities are offered in the afternoon and on weekends.

Students with Spanish speaking guides take students out of the class room (in our case, the garden) and into nature and the local culture.

In the last couple of years we have incorporated a local non-profit organization called "Caminos de Esperanza" into many of our afternoon activities. Please go to: Social Project/Voluntary Work to learn more.

An example of one of our non-voluntary activities are cooking classes:

How to make Dobladas

Below are photos of students making Dobladas:

(Click on image to see larger)

Dobladas are made with ground meat, chopped vegetables and spices. They are wrapped in corn tortillas and fried in olive oil. Finally, the the meal accompanied by a salad made of cabbage and onions with a tomato dressing and cheese. This is but one of our Guatemala culinary delicacies.

How to make Pulique

Pulique is a traditional Guatemalan meal, prepared at home by the family for national holidays or weddings.

(Click on image to see larger)

Pulique is made with chicken and beef, accompanied by some tamalitos made of corn and a rich tomato soup. The tamalitos are made of corn dough and cooked wrapped in corn leaves. You can also cook them with leaves from other plants as our ancestors did.

At the Nature Reserve

Cooking classes are just one example of the many tours and activities we offer our students.

Jardin de America gives you the opportunity to explore different indigenous towns and sites around the most beautiful lake in the world, Lago Atitlan.

• The Nature Reserve and The Butterfly Reserve:
  See waterfalls, local flora and fauna (such as monkeys) and an herb garden with spices, natural dyes and medicinal plants. One enclosed part of the reserve is full of butterflies.
• Ma Ximon Rituals and Santiago Atitlan:
  San Simon or Ma Ximon is a deity that people from Santiago Atitlan and neighboring towns have been offering rituals to for centuries.
• The Mayan Witch or Shaman's Cave:
  This cave is on a mountain near the lake in which many local people as well as people from other villages come to do rituals or sacrifices to offer their Mayan gods.
• Scenic Hikes:
  The students can enjoy the lakeside landscape on many scenic hike. Take beautiful pictures of Atitlan, contemplate sunsets and make lifetime memories.
• Tours around the lake:
  On the weekends students have the chance to explore Mayan villages surrounding the lake on boat tours. (The photos on the right were taken on one of the weekend tours. For more information see below)
• Market Day and Handicraft Cooperatives:
  To make your experience in Panajachel more interesting, the school organizes field trips to the different markets on market days. Watch Mayans trade their products just as their ancestors did before them. See how the Mayans weave their clothing.
• Make Your Own Tortillas:
  Learn how to make your own Guatemalan style tortillas, and come to watch how tortillas and typical dishes are made by hand.
• Guatemala and Central America in Film:
  Watch Spanish language films about Guatemala's as well as Central America's traditions and culture.
• Dance the Salsa and Merengue:
  Salsa and Merengue lessons are available at school.

Join us and be part of Mayan-Guatemalan life. Studying with us does not mean just sitting and studying. Come to Jardin de America and learn through experiencing Guatemala's rich traditions.

At Jardin de America a Mayan village is your classroom and all who live there, your teacher!

NOTE: Some activities described above have a small fee associated with them. Most activities require a minimum of 3 interested students.