An Insight Trip takes our supporters through the highlands of Guatemala to see Friendship Bridge’s work up close. On an Insight Trip, you’ll travel through the towns and villages around Lake Atitlán to visit with clients, sit in on Trust Bank meetings, watch demonstrations, or purchase directly from the artisans featured on the Handmade by Friendship Bridge® website. Meals are held with Friendship Bridge staff and leadership, providing opportunities to ask questions and gain insights into the day’s activities and our broader mission.
Who can attend Insight Trips?
Anyone who wants to learn more about Friendship Bridge’s work can attend: donors, volunteers, board members, supporters, people unfamiliar with Friendship Bridge, and more. No special experience is required — only a willingness to travel, engage directly with Guatemalan clients in the communities we serve, and spend time alongside a group of like-minded people.
Learn more
Insight Trips are one-week experiences focused on immersive learning. Participants travel with a small group of around 6–12 individuals led by Friendship Bridge staff through the towns and villages surrounding Lake Atitlán.
Sample itinerary
- Sunday: Arrive in Guatemala City and have dinner with Friendship Bridge staff.
- Monday: Travel to Sumpango to visit a Trust Bank, then to Tecpán and Santiago Atitlán for home visits with clients.
- Tuesday: Take a boat to San Juan La Laguna, visit clients, and shop in San Juan’s beautiful artisan community.
- Wednesday: Travel to Santa Catarina Palopó to visit clients’ homes and businesses. Free time to shop from local artisans before returning to Panajachel for dinner with Friendship Bridge’s leadership team.
- Thursday: Travel to Chichicastenango to visit a client from Handmade by Friendship Bridge®. Free time to explore the Chichicastenango market before visiting Sololá and returning to Panajachel.
- Friday: Free day in Antigua to explore ruins, local markets, and the city.
- Saturday: Transfer to Guatemala City. Trip concludes.
A standard week-long Insight Trip covers lodging, dining, guides, translation, and in-country transportation. Airfare is not included.
Friendship Circle members are eligible for a discounted rate on Insight Trips. See “General Insight Trips” above for more information on Insight Trips.
A standard week-long trip covers lodging, dining, guides, translation, and in-country transportation. Airfare is not included.
Insight Day Visits are condensed half- or full-day experiences offering a firsthand look at Friendship Bridge’s impact, tailored to match your interests and availability. Whether you are new to our mission or are already familiar with our work, you will have the opportunity to see firsthand how our initiatives in microfinance, education, and health services are making a real difference in the lives of the women we serve in Guatemala.
Depending on the day, you might:
- Visit with a Friendship Bridge client to hear her personal success stories and challenges
- Attend a Trust Bank meeting to observe a Non-Formal Education and loan-repayment session in action
- Join an information session on our programs to uplift and empower Guatemalan women
- Tour a Guatemalan branch office for an inside look at daily operations within Friendship Bridge
If you’d like to explore a specific program or see a part of our organization that is not listed here, please ask. We will do our best to accommodate additional interests where possible.
Cost of airfare, accommodations, and insurance not included. Friendship Bridge requires a minimum of 4 weeks for planning prior to the visit date.
Parent/Teen Insight Trips host a parent or guardian with their student(s) aged 12 or older for a one-week exploration of Guatemala. Participants engage in outdoor activities, hands-on experiences with Mayan artisan techniques, and learn about Guatemalan culture and history while also gaining an introduction to the work of Friendship Bridge. Attendance is limited to 16 participants, made up of parents/guardians and students.
A standard week-long Parent/Teen Insight Trip covers lodging, dining, guides, translation, and in-country transportation. Airfare is not included.
Meet the women whose lives you’re changing
An Insight Trip is one of the most direct ways to see Friendship Bridge’s impact firsthand. For current dates and pricing, contact Megan Juba, Development Coordinator, at [email protected] to start planning your visit, or explore other ways to get involved with our mission below.
