Our Offerings
The Guatemala Boutique is an Aztec-meets-Mayan fusion of the cultures of Mexico and Guatemala. It found its home in historic San Juan Bautista, CA, in 2004.
Our vision at the Guatemala Boutique is simple: to purchase at a fair price directly from the artesanos; to curate masterfully the best handcrafted Mexican and Guatemalan products; and to guarantee with pride the finest pieces of folk art, textiles, and sterling silver jewelry to our customers.
Claudia, the owner, travels several times a year to both countries, personally selecting the inventory directly from indigenous artists and craftspeople. Her frequent shopping travels have resulted in long lasting and meaningful friendships with many different families, whose main source of income is generated from the sale of their handicrafts. Supporting the livelihood of both the artisans and the folk art are very important to us!
Our inventory is full of history, tradition, and folk stories. Claudia relentlessly seeks to learn from the artesanos, always asking questions and listening to their stories, which undoubtedly provide crucial information about the symbology and the history of the piece(s) she is purchasing. Our goal when you walk into the boutique is to make you feel you are in the presence of these remarkable pottery workers, silversmiths, textile weavers, woodcarvers, and painters. We want to immerse you in the colors and textures of this vibrant and living culture. Give us the chance, and we can tell you the story of the piece you are acquiring!
Come Visit us!
We are open Wednesday through Sunday 11AM - 5PM
108 Third St, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045
The Boutique
Travel with Claudia Lopez was founded in 2018 as an extension of an interest in creating a travel company whose focus is to enhance your cultural travel experience. Itineraries are culturally based. Each itinerary will be designed with a region in mind, including specific architecture, gastronomy, and traditions that are pertaining to that specific city/town/region.
We offer all-inclusive small group travel packages using extensive expertise. You will stay in reputable, quaint, and colonial hotels; dine at hand-picked restaurants where you can sample excellent foods and beverages of the region; shop at some of the most authentic places where artifacts for the boutique are found; and meet some of the artisans with whom Claudia is friends. And, you will have the expertise, personal assistance, and enthusiasm of Claudia as your tour guide.
Claudia, the founder of the boutique, is a Guatemalan native who lived there until she was 14 years old. She has returned to her beloved land frequently, even backpacked solo on two trips through Central America. She started traveling to Mexico as an interpreter while in college, falling in love with the culture and the people to the degree that she decided to adopt the culture as her own. It wasn’t until a few years ago that she learned she is, in fact, part Mexican, as her great grandmother was a native of Chiapas. No wonder she has become so fond of Mexico!
Sights, sounds, colors, and taste are truly different, depending on where you travel and with whom you choose to travel. Travel with Claudia and experience the true essence of the Guatemalan and Mexican culture!
All-Inclusive Tours to Mexico & Guatemala
Claudia Lopez is a Guatemalan and Mexican culture expert and an author in the making. Her culture knowledge extends vastly as she has traveled to a total of 17 states in Mexico and over 50 percent of Guatemala. In addition to her travels, she maintains close communication with artists, weavers, writers, designers, friends, and government officials who are eager to share factual information and personal knowledge of their country.
“My friends, the artesanos with whom I work, and the overall locals are essential to augmenting my knowledge every day!” - Claudia.
Claudia is the owner and curator of the Guatemala Boutique, LLC, and the Guatemalan Boutique Tours, LLC. Both companies are a testimony to her passion for culture. One company showcases beautiful folk art, while the other takes you on cultural adventures. She left her professional career in 2011 upon realizing that her heart was deeply rooted in becoming a culture expert.
She is a member of the San Jose Women’s Cub where she has presented as an expert on topics such as Mexican Silver Jewelry and Textiles of Guatemala. She has served as Vice-President on the Teatro Vision’s Board of Directors since 2015; and she is a member of Opera Cultura’s Board of Directors since 2020. Both companies are based in San Jose, CA. Claudia has also served as a docent at the San Jose Museum of Quilts in San Jose, CA.
She is an expert on the creation of Day of the Dead altars and has provided instruction and installation of altars at institutions such as San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, San Jose Multicultural Artist Guild, the Mexican Heritage Plaza, the New Museum of Los Gatos, the Mexican Consulate in San Jose, Gilroy Arts Alliance Center, and El Teatro Campesino.
Claudia holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration (project pending).
She is available as a speaker on topics such as:
The Lucky Guatemalan ~ Claudia’s personal immigration journey
My First Business at Age 7~ Claudia’s personal story on becoming an entrepreneur
Mexican Silver Jewelry ~ The beginning of silversmithing in Taxco, Mexico
The Textiles of Guatemala and Mexico ~ Symbolism, traditions, and folk tales
Mexican Folk Art ~ Let’s talk about the who, what, where, and why
Mexican Folk Hearts Book ~ Work in progress to be published in fall 2021
Day of the Dead ~ History and tradition
Creation of Day of the Dead Altars ~ Honoring our ancestors
Claudia’s knowledge and diversity allow her to adhere to your specific needs. There are many other topics that she is exploring on an ongoing basis, so feel free to contact her for information.