Small Change 4 Big Change
Small Change 4 Big Change
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Small Change 4 Big Change is helping local indigenous families offer authentic experiences for tourists looking to get off the beaten path. Spend a morning with us touring the local springs and Mirador (look-out point), visiting our organic gardens, learning to weave and cook traditionally, or in a cultural class, then enjoy a delicious lunch with a local family. You will have the opportunity to buy typical artisan products directly from local indigenous women at the prices they sell to vendors in Antigua, which provides them the opportunity to support their families proudly.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
22 reviews
Excellent
22
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0
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madammolly
Philadelphia, PA3 contributions
Jan 2023
What a wonderful experience! Our 4 kids and we were taken in the moment we arrived. The women we worked with were so kind, so warm, and so eager to share their work and culture with us. The project was entirely organized when we arrived, it was easy to set up, and every person we were in touch with was responsive and kind. The organization is a brilliant and supportive cooperative literally created just to support these women and their work. A really fabulous way to have some real experience as a tourist in Guatemala.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lilmelissa
Philadelphia, PA43 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
I took two 12 yr olds to the weaving and tortilla making workshop. We loved it. The women give a detailed description of traditional weaving and traditional foods in Spanish, then they teach how to use the back strap loom. They have rescue animals that are very friendly. We also made tortillas. The town is lovely and it’s so nice to get outside of the touristy bustle of Antigua. Highly recommend this experience and a wonderful organization to support.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Péter N
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
Me and my wife had the wonderful opportunity to stay for a night with Enoc and his family. It was a great and uplifting experience - we had breakfast and dinner together, had a short walk to the canopy trails, were able to practice our spanish, and learned so much about the everyday life of this community. We visited some of the more advertised sites of Guatemala, which were indeed beautiful, but if I will have a chance to go back, I will choose Santa Catalina Barahona. It is just such a welcoming place, truly honest and authentic. I did not really feel myself as a tourist there, as there were only locals, all kindly greeting us. We were really happy to experience something which is not really found in tourist blogs, but it still gave us a whole lot better experience. And the guest house of Enoc's was amazing, the nicest accomodation we had in Guatemala. Miklos
Written December 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sokano
Los Angeles, CA11 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
My family and I volunteered to help out with the pre-K classes and English classes. It was so much fun and so rewarding. We learned about the local culture including food, gardening, weaving, history of the area and customs. Lisa and Irvin, who run the organization, were amazing and arranged for us to meet and get to know the people. We wanted to be sure to give as much of our time and skills as possible but I truly feel we got more than we could give. It was so much more meaningful than the typical tourist experience.
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beyondcookies
So Cal41 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
My husband and I, as well as my mom and cousin spent 3 wonderful days with Lisa De Mena, the founder of Small Change 4 Big Change, and her husband Irvin, learning about the local culture and participating in preschool classes in the morning and English classes in the afternoon.
We also enjoyed a fabulous meal of Pepián served by a local family, visited the goats (including new twins Estrella and Luna) and tilapia ponds, hiked up to a scenic point with a bunch of the kids and a local family, and toured their organic vegetable garden.
They are doing incredible work, focusing on education and sustainable health. It's amazing to see the difference that all of these programs are making and we had such a wonderful experience that we can't wait to go back again!
Lisa and Irvin are wonderful hosts and communicating with them before, during and after was a breeze! We stayed in Antigua so Lisa was kind enough to provide a ride several times. We also took the bus a couple of times (only 5 quetzals and 20-30 minutes). We might try a homestay next time, which Lisa can help coordinate. I encourage anyone looking for a fun, authentic and enriching opportunity to plan a visit. There are also pictures and more information at their Facebook page (-smallchange4bigchange-).
Thank you Lisa, Irvin, Sonia and Imelsa for an absolutely wonderful time! We look forward to returning soon!
We also enjoyed a fabulous meal of Pepián served by a local family, visited the goats (including new twins Estrella and Luna) and tilapia ponds, hiked up to a scenic point with a bunch of the kids and a local family, and toured their organic vegetable garden.
They are doing incredible work, focusing on education and sustainable health. It's amazing to see the difference that all of these programs are making and we had such a wonderful experience that we can't wait to go back again!
Lisa and Irvin are wonderful hosts and communicating with them before, during and after was a breeze! We stayed in Antigua so Lisa was kind enough to provide a ride several times. We also took the bus a couple of times (only 5 quetzals and 20-30 minutes). We might try a homestay next time, which Lisa can help coordinate. I encourage anyone looking for a fun, authentic and enriching opportunity to plan a visit. There are also pictures and more information at their Facebook page (-smallchange4bigchange-).
Thank you Lisa, Irvin, Sonia and Imelsa for an absolutely wonderful time! We look forward to returning soon!
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie on Travel
London, UK177 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
We had an incredible experience with Small Change 4 Big Change! We were blown away by the kindness and hospitality of the local Guatemalan community in Santa Catarina and we learned so much about the culture and way of life here.
Lisa, founder of Small Change 4 Big Change, was our guide for the day. We had so much admiration for her kind-heart and generosity - she's doing some amazing work for the community here. We enjoyed a vegetarian lunch together at a local family's home, which was really fresh and delicious. We then learned about marriage traditions and local life from Sylvia, the local lady who made us lunch. She gave such an interesting talk which Lisa translated for us! We tried on local Guatemalan clothing, ground coffee beans on a traditional grindstone and had a little peak at her weaving work.
We spent the afternoon with Lisa, on short hikes around Santa Catarina. It's a beautiful town with architecture similar to Antigua but without any of the tourists and even more gorgeous views. We hiked up to the viewpoint and saw the natural cold water springs that have been channelled into pools where you can swim on hot days.
We also visited the cooperative community gardening project. There was such a warm and friendly atmosphere here! We loved hearing about the produce they were growing and how Small Change 4 Big Change are supporting locals and helping to educate them about nutrition. We wish we'd had more time so we could volunteer for a while because the community and atmosphere was so lovely!
If you're visiting Antigua, then don't miss this opportunity to get a little off the beaten track and really experience authentic Guatemalan culture.
Lisa, founder of Small Change 4 Big Change, was our guide for the day. We had so much admiration for her kind-heart and generosity - she's doing some amazing work for the community here. We enjoyed a vegetarian lunch together at a local family's home, which was really fresh and delicious. We then learned about marriage traditions and local life from Sylvia, the local lady who made us lunch. She gave such an interesting talk which Lisa translated for us! We tried on local Guatemalan clothing, ground coffee beans on a traditional grindstone and had a little peak at her weaving work.
We spent the afternoon with Lisa, on short hikes around Santa Catarina. It's a beautiful town with architecture similar to Antigua but without any of the tourists and even more gorgeous views. We hiked up to the viewpoint and saw the natural cold water springs that have been channelled into pools where you can swim on hot days.
We also visited the cooperative community gardening project. There was such a warm and friendly atmosphere here! We loved hearing about the produce they were growing and how Small Change 4 Big Change are supporting locals and helping to educate them about nutrition. We wish we'd had more time so we could volunteer for a while because the community and atmosphere was so lovely!
If you're visiting Antigua, then don't miss this opportunity to get a little off the beaten track and really experience authentic Guatemalan culture.
Written September 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lydiaweyrich1
Columbus, OH2 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
If you're coming to Guatemala to truly embrace the culture this is a must. There is no better way to experience the people of Guatemala than eating in their home with them.
Written April 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lemchop1
3 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
Oscar and Silvia's cultural class was amazing! I highly recommend this experience to anyone traveling in Guatemala. You will get a cultural immersion, wonderful traditional meal, and access to the finest souvenirs you can find there. Complete with an interactive lesson on marriage customs!!!
This family is very hospitable, and incredibly kind. This is a one in a lifetime experience, so you don't want to pass this up! They truly make everyone feel welcome and at home.
This family is very hospitable, and incredibly kind. This is a one in a lifetime experience, so you don't want to pass this up! They truly make everyone feel welcome and at home.
Written April 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hannah C
Florida3 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
I worked with Small Change 4 Big Change for an alternative spring break program through my university. We built stoves, tilapia ponds and worked in the English classes they provide for the local children.
Our group was fortunate enough to have lunch provided by the families and truly be emersed in their culture. There was one family who provided a cooking class (so we could actually see the effort that is put into their meals) that we actually got eat after! Oscar and Silva also took the time to provide a cultural class that you could not EVER get by going to a museum or typical attractions. The class was so informative. They engaged with us and let us be apart of the presentation. I couldn't stop talking about it to my friends and family when I got back to the states. Silva also has a little shop set up in her home of souvenirs she and other local women made. I wish I had brought more money with me for that, I wanted everything! Silva and Oscar were so welcoming and willing to answer any question we had. If you want a true Guatemalan expereince, I highly reccommend attending one of their classes!
Our group was fortunate enough to have lunch provided by the families and truly be emersed in their culture. There was one family who provided a cooking class (so we could actually see the effort that is put into their meals) that we actually got eat after! Oscar and Silva also took the time to provide a cultural class that you could not EVER get by going to a museum or typical attractions. The class was so informative. They engaged with us and let us be apart of the presentation. I couldn't stop talking about it to my friends and family when I got back to the states. Silva also has a little shop set up in her home of souvenirs she and other local women made. I wish I had brought more money with me for that, I wanted everything! Silva and Oscar were so welcoming and willing to answer any question we had. If you want a true Guatemalan expereince, I highly reccommend attending one of their classes!
Written April 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ma Fda Batista
Baltimore, MD3 contributions
Oct 2019
Small change for big change is a wonderful organization who is committed to helping the community and its development. With their approach on cooperation they have built a strong relationship with the local families. It's on a beautiful location that allowed us to get to now the real livelihoods of rural Guatemala and it's indigenous culture. It's well worth the visit.
Written October 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do I arrange for transportation from Antigua?
Written June 23, 2018
Hi there, you can come on the chicken bus to San Antonio/Santa Catarina Barahona. Santa Catarina is the end of the line, and you can get a tuk tuk or walk 1k from there.
Or you can take the "busitos" that go to Santiago Zamora, and ask to get off at "El Pescador," where we can walk over and get you.
Written June 26, 2018
Hi So could you volunteer for the day or do you have to stay during your vacation . Thank you
Written May 22, 2018
Hello, yes you are welcome to volunteer for the day! We have preschool from 9-11 and tutoring from 2-5.
Written May 23, 2018
Is this visit good for a solo traveler?
Written January 8, 2018
Hi there, yes, you can come on your own, we welcome you!
Written January 9, 2018
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