Right by San Cristobal de las Casas, you will find the Lenateros Workshop. At this magical place leaves and seeds are transformed in a great variety of items along with recycled materials and natural fibers.

The Mexican poet Ambar Past founded this workshop in 1975. The objective is to document, and spread the cultural values of the locals, the songs, literature, and crafts and to rescue things and traditions that are about to disappear like the extraction of color from plants.

The lenateros create, show, invent new things and work in different ways to make handcrafted paper, notebooks, solar silkscreen, wood engraving and painting with plants. The organization is pro environment, recycle and to create work of art.

Some of the things used at this place are recycled boxes, coconut peel, corn, banana leaves, dry flowers and office recycled paper, all these to transform it into notebooks, postcards, organizers, and more. These new creations are full of color and unique in their designs.

Sometimes the lenateros write songs and poems, stories and books. Most of the stories talk about the past,, the magic of the Mayan culture, in some books like “La jicara” “Bolom Chon” and the latest “sueno conjuros del vientre de mi madre”.

All these stories are not just that, stories, but are full of knowledge that has been passed along generation by generation along with witchcraft that is sacred to to the locals. You will find Mayan songs and even a recipe that shows how to live a long time.

The magic of this place happens because of Mayan men and women that, through their dreams they get ideas and designs. More than 250 families collect the information throughout their communities and homes.

Visiting the Leanateros Workshop helps to take care of nature, and you can take home a 100% Chiapas handcrafted souvenir.

HOURS Monday to Friday 9:30 to 17:00 hrs. Saturday 8:30 to 14:00 hrs.

ADRESS Calle Flavio A. Paniagua 54, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis. FEE Donation accepted

ACTIVITIES: Guided tours, throughout the workshop and handcrafted items.