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Life by the Lake

2027 Retreat in Guatemala

February 25- March 4, 2027

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A Week in Guatemala: Tikal, Lake Atitlan, and More

We're offering a brand-new itinerary this retreat week — and we've taken care of every detail so you don't have to. A week designed for slowing down and savoring where you are. Life by the Lake Retreat invites you to step out of daily routines and into a more intentional rhythm at Casa Paloma, Joyce Maynard’s home on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Set between water and volcanoes, the retreat offers a rare combination of beauty, ease, and thoughtful hospitality—creating space to rest, explore, and be fully present.

❋ A Place Made with Care

Casa Paloma is Joyce Maynard’s home and retreat center on Lake Atitlán, lovingly built over twenty-five years. Each room and casita is unique, decorated with the work of local artisans, and offers lake and volcano views that invite rest and reflection.

❋ A Journey, Not Just a Stay

You'll check into a lovely lakeside hotel on Lake Peten and celebrate your arrival over an introductory dinner overlooking the water. The following day, a one-hour ride through the jungle — with a lunch stop along the way — brings you to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, where experienced guides will lead you through the site, culminating in a sunset view from the temple.

❋ Culture, Curiosity, and Discovery

Rather than a traditional workshop, this retreat centers on experiencing the rich Mayan culture of the region. Included excursions may range from visiting a cloud forest in search of the quetzal to exploring local markets, learning traditional weaving, or taking a cooking class with Casa Paloma’s chef, Rosa.

❋ Conversation and Connection

Each day offers time to gather with Joyce for thoughtful conversation—over morning coffee or in the evening—about books, ideas, and the stories of our lives, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere of shared experience and genuine connection.

Four women practicing yoga on mats in a tranquil, outdoor, wooded space with stone and wooden elements.
A group of six people sitting and standing around a long striped table outdoors, enjoying drinks and smiling, with colorful flags hanging above and a lush garden in the background.
Group of women dressed in colorful striped robes standing together on wooden floor in front of lush tropical plants.
A man in a blue shirt and gray cap showing a large, yellowish mushroom to a woman in a red shirt and black hat in a rustic room with wartime artifacts.
A group of women and one man, mostly wearing hats and sunglasses, standing on a colorful street decorated with hanging lights and flags, with mountains in the background.
A wooden pier extends into a lake with a mountain in the background. A boat is docked at the pier with a person standing nearby. Another person is sitting on the pier, and some tree stumps are protruding from the water.
Aerial view of a river surrounded by lush green trees and a small town with homes and buildings, with mountains in the background during sunset.
A person dressed in traditional indigenous attire sitting in front of a sacred fire, surrounded by offerings and natural items on a grassy mat.
Colorful woven textiles and accessories, likely traditional Mexican embroidery, displayed on a market stall.
Multiple plates of tacos with meat, shredded cheese, onions, and jalapeños on a table.
Colorful waterfront homes with wooden decks and lush greenery along a clear blue lake. Some homes have terraces overlooking the water, surrounded by trees and flowering bushes, with mountains in the background. 
Days 1–2

The Journey Begins

The retreat begins with an easy landing and a gradual transition into the week ahead. From the moment you arrive, details are handled so you can slow down, get oriented, and begin connecting with the group.

Arrival in Guatemala City

Your journey begins in Guatemala City, where retreat manager Erica Dixon will meet you and accompany you on a 45-minute flight — covered by us — to the town of Flores in the Peten region. From there, your Guatemalan adventure begins.

Evening on Lake Peten

You'll check into a lovely lakeside hotel on Lake Peten and celebrate your arrival over an introductory dinner overlooking the water. 

Exploration Time

The following day, a one-hour ride through the jungle — with a lunch stop along the way — brings you to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, where experienced guides will lead you through the site, culminating in a sunset view from the temple.

Howler monkeys are a near-guarantee. Jaguar sightings at the temple have been reported recently, too.

Dinner that evening is a barbecue right in the park, with vegetarian options available — a standard throughout the entire trip. Then it's back to the hotel for the night.

Journey to Lake Atitlán

You'll fly back to Guatemala City with the group, then board a shuttle to Lake Atitlan. En route, we've arranged a lunch stop at a traditional Guatemalan restaurant in the mountain region of Tecpan.

Welcome at Casa Paloma

You'll arrive at Casa Paloma — your host's retreat center and home — by boat. Staff will bring your bags to your room. .Joyce will be there to welcome you—margaritas in hand (with or without alcohol)—as you step onto Casa Paloma and begin the retreat.

A cozy kitchen and dining area with a large window overlooking a lake and mountains, decorated with potted plants, wooden furniture, and hanging pots. 
Days 3–7

The Week at Casa Paloma

Life at Casa Paloma unfolds slowly and with intention. Each day balances structure and spaciousness, supporting cultural adventures alongside rest, reflection, and connection—always with room to follow your own pace.

Settle Into Rhythm

Life at Casa Paloma unfolds slowly and with intention. Days balance gentle structure with ample freedom—inviting rest, curiosity, and connection, with space to follow your own energy and interests.

Morning Rituals

Mornings begin quietly. The sauna is warm, the lake calm—offering time for swimming, kayaking, or simply sitting with coffee as the light moves across the water and volcanoes.

Movement & Presence

Optional yoga on the deck invites gentle movement and grounding—an opportunity to breathe deeply, stretch, and arrive fully in the day, surrounded by lake and sky.

Shared Meals

Meals anchor the day. Breakfasts in the garden begin with delicious farm-to-table food and friendly conversation, followed by relaxed lunches and memorable dinners that bring everyone together around the table.

Conversation & Connection

Evenings—or early mornings over coffee—offer unhurried conversation with Joyce as your host. Topics range from books and ideas to life stories and shared experience, shaped organically by the group.

Optional Excursions

For those who wish, the week includes optional explorations of the region: sunrise hikes overlooking five volcanoes, visits to local markets and weaving collectives, cooking lessons with our chef Rosa, ceremonies, artist studios, and time in the surrounding cloud forest.

Evening Gatherings

As the day winds down, evenings invite ease and connection—shared stories, laughter, and quiet moments together, often around the fire, before resting into the night.

Day 8

Wrap Up

The final morning is simple and well cared for. Before dawn, your packed and labeled bags are transported from your room to the dock. A boat carries you across the lake to Panajachel, where a shuttle continues on to the airport. Coffee, tea, fruit, and bread are provided for the journey—an easy, quiet close to the week.

What’s Included

Seven nights of accommodations, all meals, in-country flights, transport, excursions, massage, yoga, and opening and closing night drinks. Basically, you just need to tip our incredible staff and bring yourself.

When you're ready to venture beyond your hammock — and you will be — we've got a lineup that reads like a bucket list:

  • 🦜 Hike the cloud forest hunting for the elusive, resplendent quetzal (we almost always find one)

  • 🌋 Watch the sun rise over all five volcanoes (yes, five)

  • ☕ Tour a coffee roastery and understand why Guatemalan coffee hits different

  • 🎨 Browse local markets and artisan workshops, including a weaving collective

  • 🍫 A cacao ceremony, because chocolate deserves reverence

  • 🔥 A profoundly moving fire-healing ceremony with the remarkable Shaman Tomas

Back at base: the sauna is fired up every morning, yoga awaits, kayaks and paddleboards are yours for the taking, and the lake swimming is — we're just going to say it — some of the best you'll ever do.

And then there's the karaoke machine. The microphones are ready. The only question is: are you?‍

Bonus: Want to tack on a visit to the stunning Spanish colonial city of Antigua after the retreat? Our travel coordinator Martha Herrera will handle every detail. Just say the word. ‍

Accommodations

Rooms are reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Before making your final decision, please carefully read the room description and click through the gallery of pictures. You want to be aware of each room's unique features.

Lakeside houses on a hillside with lush green trees and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
  • A colorful bedroom with a bed that has a striped multicolored bedspread, throw pillows, and a blanket. There are wooden cabinets and shelves, artwork on the walls, large windows with curtains, and a view of greenery outside.

    Tuk Tuk

    2 guests ~ $4,495 each

    Down on the ground floor, where the villa's heart beats with vibrant color, lies Tuk Tuk, a room named for a painting of the charming little vehicles that zip through town. A built-in desk invites you to set down your thoughts, while handcrafted art adorns the walls, along with handmade Mexican dolls, and a gorgeous hand-crafted wall candelabra.

    A wall of windows opens to a private patio, where a hanging basket chair swings gently in the breeze and a built-in bench invites quiet contemplation. The private bathroom also boasts breathtaking views through the window.

    Two queen beds, draped in curtains to keep the morning sun at bay, promise restful slumber after a day of adventures.

    Note that this room does not get good internet service. But you have only to step out onto your patio—where a view and a hanging basket chair await you—to check your phone. 

    Capacity ~ Shared room with 2 queen beds and a private bathroom.

    Due to the proximity to the dining terrace, there are times that the Tuk Tuk bathroom is used by other guests.

  • Estrella

    Estrella

    Couple ~ $9,500 | 1 guest ~ $ 5,795

    Ah, Estrella! You’ll be perched high on the villa's second floor, where the bed floats like a royal barge. Yes, it's that high, requiring little pull-out steps.  There’s a reason the bed is so high:  It gives you an unparalleled view of the volcano and the lake, with a skylight directly overhead for stargazing.  

    And there’s more:  A balcony with coffee wood railings decorated with hand-carved fish.  Inside, you'll find antique furnishings, like a high desk fashioned from a repurposed ironing board and a hundred year old wooden church with secret cubbies. The bathroom features a deep soaking tub where you can bathe in candlelight. Step outside to a secret garden with a hammock, an outdoor shower and outdoor fireplace.  

    A gentle word of warning: We chose not to hang curtains over the windows where the morning sun pours in. 

    Capacity ~ 1 queen bed

    Private bathroom. This room is in the main house on the shores of the lake.

  • A cozy A-frame attic bedroom with wooden walls and ceiling, featuring a large bed with white linens, a colorful striped blanket, and a smaller bed near a window with a view of mountains and trees. There is a rustic wooden bench, a small side table with a book, and a guitar leaning against the wall.

    Pajaro

    2 guests ~ $4,595 each

    Ascend a spiral staircase, a journey to the villa's highest nook, and you'll find Pajaro, a room nestled among the treetops with a private balcony for stargazing or early morning coffee with the birds. A living tree branch comes through the room, forming a bench next to a little avocado-wood writing desk with a skylight nearby where the moonlight shines in.  

    A grand balcony offers panoramic views of the lake and volcanoes. And because you're so close to the sky, you’ll wake to the songs of the birds, if you leave your windows open. 

    Pajaro’s private bathroom, a little adventure of its own, is reached by another spiral staircase leading downstairs. If going up and down stairs isn’t your thing, this might not be your nest. But for those who dare, a magical treetop retreat awaits.

    Capacity ~ A shared room with 2 double beds and a private bathroom down a spiral staircase.

    This room is in the main house close to the shores of the lake.

  • Cozy bedroom with wooden walls and ceiling, a large bed with a colorful striped blanket, decorative pillows, a small side table with framed picture and plant, window with curtains, and a wall decorated with hanging animal masks.

    At Home in the World

    Couple ~ $8,700 | 1 guest ~ $5,395 | 2 Shared guests (twin beds) ~ $4,495 each

    At Home in the World: Named After Joyce’s 1998 Memoir

    This unique casita offers a flexible sleeping arrangement with your choice of a comfortable queen bed or two cozy single beds. Inside, a handcrafted avocado wood desk awaits your reflections and creative endeavors. If you’d rather not be woken by the morning sun, curtains adorn the windows.

    Step onto your private veranda, where wood railings frame breathtaking views of Casa Paloma's vibrant gardens, the serene lake, and the majestic volcano in the distance. The casita itself is thoughtfully decorated with local textiles and intriguing masks, immersing you in the rich culture of the region. 1

    Just a few charming stone steps from your door, you'll find your private bathroom and shower, featuring a beautifully hand-painted ceramic sink from a local pottery. For moments of quiet inspiration, a secluded outdoor writing table beckons amidst the peaceful surroundings.

    What truly sets this casita apart is its enchanting open-air, thatched-roof sitting room with a writing desk overlooking the lake and a couch so comfy you might just fall asleep there, surrounded by lush flora and the sounds of local birds. 

    The private bathroom with hand-painted ceramic sink and lake-view shower sits just outside the door.

    Capacity ~ 1 queen bed or 2 twins.  Private bathroom right outside of the casita.

    This casita is located midway up the property, right after Count the Ways.

  • A cozy bedroom with stone walls and a large window showing a mountain view, featuring a bed with a white blanket and a yellow throw, a blue armchair, and curtains.

    Piedra

    1 guest ~ $4,895

    Discover the elemental charm of Piedra, a truly unique retreat built entirely of local stone, where the spirit of the earth meets the tranquility of the lake.

    This intimate space, perfect for a solo traveler seeking solitude and connection with nature, features hand-carved stone heads embedded in its walls.  

    A comfortable twin bed provides a restful haven, while the handmade double bamboo doors open directly onto your private beach for an early morning swim or possibly the magic of a late-night dip. 

    A glass door on the opposite side leads to the shared bathroom with Azul, just a short climb away. Piedra is more than just a room; it's a sanctuary, a place where you can immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the lake and the enduring strength of the stone.

    Capacity ~ 1 twin bed.  

    Shares bathroom with Azul guest.

  • Bedroom with large windows and curtains overlooking a lake and mountains.

    Azul

    1 guest ~ $4,995

    Azul sits perched at the water's edge, so close to the lake you’ll almost think you’re swimming.  We decorated this room with handwoven blue textiles, hand-painted blue ceramics, hand embroidered blue huipiles on the wall.  Carved blue birds…and the floor is the color of water.   Open the French doors, and the gentle lapping of the waves and the birds' songs will lull you to sleep. 

    Your balcony leads to a lovely bathroom with Dutch doors and custom painted Italian tiles.  But there’s more:  A deep-soaking bathtub, big enough for two, sits under a high palm roof, open to the lake but situated in such a way as to ensure your privacy. 

    Azul shares a bathroom with Piedra . A separate shower and toilet from the sink area offers privacy, a thoughtful touch for shared space.

    Capacity ~ 1 queen bed.  

    Shares bathroom with Piedra guest.

  • A cozy rustic bedroom with a large bed covered in a colorful striped blanket, a pillow with a plaid pillowcase, and a small, stuffed animal next to a window with views of trees and a lake in the background. The room features wooden walls, a bamboo-style headboard, and a small table with a tablecloth and chairs.

    Count the Ways

    Couple ~ $8,500 | 1 guest ~ $5,195

    Count the Ways: Named After Joyce’s 2017 Memoir

    We designed Count the Ways to feel like the inside of a boat, with ship-style windows opening by pulley and a prow that juts out to a gorgeous view of the lake and volcano.  Exposed beams, antique hand-carved armoire and hand-painted table and hand-woven textiles lend a cozy, rustic flavor to the space.  Look closely and you’ll find a number of hand-carved wooden owls perched on the beams.  And you’ll hear real birds out your windows.


    This rustic-flavored casita, with its comfortable queen bed suitable for a solo traveler or a couple, provides a private sanctuary. A private bamboo-wall bathroom is located on the path right outside the casita with a stunning volcano view from the shower. A ceramic sink, decorated with hand-painted birds, sits under the trees.

    Capacity ~ 1 queen bed. 

    Private bathroom right outside of the casita, located closest to the outdoor kitchen. 

  • A cozy bedroom with a bed covered in a beige blanket and decorative pillows, large sliding glass door leading to a balcony with a rattan chair and a small table, tropical scenery outside, bamboo ceiling with a woven pendant light, wooden furniture, and earthy tones.

    Casa Una Two

    Couple ~ $8,700 | 1 guest ~ $5,395

    This room holds the distinction of being the highest on the entire property, with a comfortable queen bed and hand-made avocado desk, custom adobe walls, and some of the best lake and volcano views. The room features a private balcony that overlooks …well, basically everything.  You’ll feel totally private here, except for the birds. 

    This bedroom has a beautiful bathroom with a huge shower and floor to ceiling windows.  Just outside the bathroom door, a built in armoire with loads of clothes storage.  This bathroom is generally private, unless the sleeping space known as The Nest is in use, in which case its occupant would share the Casa Una 2 bathroom. 

    Capacity ~ 1 queen bed private bathroom unless there is a guest in the downstairs library, and the price will be reduced $200.

    Casa Una is a special place, but it does require climbing the equivalent of four flights of stairs, twice a day, at high altitude. If this would be challenging, another room may be a better fit. We want your stay at Casa Paloma to be as comfortable as possible. The stairs are well lit at night—but be prepared: the climb may take your breath away, if only for a moment. Casa Una may take your breath away.  For a minute or two anyway.

  • Bedroom with a bed covered in striped yellow, gray, and brown blankets, white and yellow pillows, stone accent wall, sloped wooden ceiling, large glass sliding door leading to a balcony with wicker chairs, and lush greenery outside.

    Casa Una One

    Couple ~ $9,300 | 2 guests ~ $5,395 each

    Situated on the ground floor, with soaring stone walls and stunning lake and volcano view, this room has two queen beds , hand built avocado wood desk and a roomy custom-built-in armoire of exotic conacaste wood. On one wall:  a hand-woven rug from Oaxaca, and steps from the beds, a balcony with gorgeous antique rattan chairs.  

    The bathroom of Casa Una 1 is unlike any other on the property, featuring a partially open-air (but totally private) shower that leads out into a private garden with hand-carved stone heads built into the wall, mood lighting, lush plantings and roses, and a seven-person jacuzzi that stays hot all day and night. 

    Capacity ~ Shared room for a couple or two guests in 2 queen beds with a private bathroom.

    Casa Una is a special place, but it does require climbing the equivalent of four flights of stairs, twice a day, at high altitude. If this would be challenging, another room may be a better fit. We want your stay at Casa Paloma to be as comfortable as possible. The stairs are well lit at night—but be prepared: the climb may take your breath away, if only for a moment.

  • A cozy interior space showing a kitchen with a sink, a vase with flowers, and two drinking glasses on a wooden tray. Behind the kitchen, there is a bedroom with a bed covered in a vibrant, multicolored blanket. The room features wooden trim around the windows and doors, and decorative woven light fixtures hanging from the ceiling.

    The Bird Nest

    Couple ~ $9,800 | 1 guest ~ $5,995

    Set apart from the other casitas on the property, The Bird Nest is a perfect spot for a super-romantic getaway or a contemplative solitary retreat. The stone entry way—featuring hand-carved stone heads and lined with roses, leads to a tile patio table and chairs-- the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee or an evening cocktail. 

    As you step through the door, you'll be invited into a foyer decorated with original artwork and museum-quality textiles as well as a kitchenette built of exotic conacaste wood featuring  a center island , coffee maker, mini refrigerator, cooking utensils and sink. 

    One whole wall of curtained windows offers a breathtaking view of the lake and volcano.  Outside, a balcony with seating so comfortable you might just want to sleep out there. 

    From the queen- sized bed with custom conacaste wood headboard it’s only a few steps to a spectacular soaking tub nestled under a hand-tied palm palapa roof and sitting on a hand-laid stone floor.   

    And there’s more:  A set of stone steps leads to a grassy private rooftop garden with a teak chaise lounge for two, with roses blooming around you, bamboo soaring behind, and birdsong in all directions. 

    The Bird Nest is the most private of our villas, offering unparalleled seclusion and tranquility. 

    Capacity ~ 1 queen bed.  Private bathroom.

    It is a climb of 2 flights of steps and sits right above the main house.

Learn More About Casa Paloma
A detailed illustrated map of Casa Paloma Atitlán, showing different buildings, a garden, docks, a lake with boats, paths, trees, and various amenities such as a yoga platform, outdoor kitchen, sauna, and herb garden.

Ready?

Reach out to Megan Woolsey, our U.S.-based Life by the Lake manager, to learn more. Sign up early and you get first pick of accommodations at Casa Paloma.

Though honestly? Every single one of them is beautiful.

See you at the dock. 🌊

Apply for the Retreat

Questions? Email Megan — lifebythelakewithjoyce@gmail.com

What People Are Saying

  • “Those days with Joyce in Guatemala to dig into my story and to explore the structure of a memoir changed me as a person and a writer. The knowledge I gained equals an MFA (or two) in creative writing.”

    — Mary B, Texas

  • “Each unique feature of this workshop, taken alone, is worth going back for: the creative boost to your writing, the truly divine food, and Joyce Maynard, who you really must see in action to believe.”

    — Elizabeth H, Florida

  • “Great Writers who are great teachers are rare. Joyce possesses the talent to do both.”

    — Priscilla B, New Hampshire

  • “When you think you’re not ready is the best time to attend a workshop offered by Joyce Maynard. Our time together was transformative to finding my voice and story.”

    — Jude S, Maine

  • “Write by the Lake gave me the clarity and confidence I needed to write my memoir. The setting alone is magical and transformative - but when combined with the teaching and support from other writers, the experience is truly life-changing.”

    — Gina B, Pennsylvania

FAQs

  • While you don’t need to be an athlete, the week does require a lot of walking. The first night and day in Antigua requires walking on flat cobblestone roads. Tuk Tuks (small motorized vehicles) are available for hire. The trip to Casa Paloma requires stepping into a small boat to travel to the property. Once you’ve arrived at Casa Paloma, you will need to step up out of the boat onto the dock (Joyce’s staff is there to assist). Casa Paloma is built on the side of a hill so there are steps to take you from one casita to another, from your casita to dinner, down stone steps to the massage, up steps to yoga, etc. On excursions to neighboring lake villages, there may be uneven walkways and sloped roads. There are Tuk Tuks available to hire by the lake as well. As a participant of Joyce’s retreats, expect to be walking and climbing stairs every day.

  • As of now, Guatemala is NOT requiring proof of a negative Covid test taken 3 days before departure, or proof of vaccination. In the interest of transparency, not everyone in the local Mayan indigenous community who is working at Casa Paloma has chosen to receive the vaccination. That being said, in our two years of hosting groups post-Covid, there has never been an issue.  

  • You will need a passport to enter Guatemala. If your passport is within six months of expiration, please renew it before you leave for Guatemala or you may encounter problems. We do recommend that you bring a photocopy of the first page of your passport and keep it separate from the passport itself. You do not need any special vaccinations to enter the country, although it is always wise to be up to date on tetanus, hepatitis, and rabies vaccinations when traveling to less-developed countries.

  • Retreat participants are responsible for booking their flights. Direct flights to Guatemala City are available from Miami, Newark, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. For those flying to Guatemala from other cities, a change of planes will be required. Book your flights early because sometimes they sell out or get expensive the closer you get to your departure date.

    In-country transportation to the lake, shuttles to and from the airport, and boat rides while at the lake are included.

  • Please make sure that your flight will arrive in Guatemala City no later than 4 p.m. to make it on time to dinner in Antigua. When booking your departing flight, only book something that leaves after 12:30 p.m. on the date of your departure. You will need time to travel from Lake Atitlan back to Guatemala City that morning.

  • Full refund (minus $500 admin fee) if cancellation is 8 weeks prior to retreat start date. 50% refund if cancellation is 6 weeks prior to the retreat start date. No Refund if cancellation is after 6 weeks prior to the retreat start date. You can purchase private travel insurance to reimburse you should you need to cancel after six weeks. We have had good experiences with the following travel insurance company:

    Happy Extraordinary Travels
    Bettye H. Ridley
    Travel Insurance Advisor

    Direct Phone: 1 - 888 - 474 - 0387
    Office Hours: 9:15 AM - 5:30 PM EST (M - F )

    Email: bettye@travelinsurance.com
    Website: www.travelinsurance.com
    Reviews: www.trustpilot.com/review/travelinsurance.com

  • There will be a bank at the Guatemala City airport when you arrive that offers a standard exchange rate on your American dollars. (Currently around 8 Quetzales to the dollar.) If your flight arrives late at night, you can use an ATM at the airport. There are no ATMs or banks in San Marcos, so I encourage you to get the money you need in Antigua. If you find yourself needing additional cash over the week, you can make a quick trip to the village of San Pedro, or take the boat to Panajachel. If you bring Traveler checks, they should be American Express only. Credit cards are not accepted in the village of San Marcos.

  • Lake Atitlan is not in the tropics. There is no Malaria. One of the many great things about the region of Lake Atitlan is that there are almost no bugs. An occasional scorpion has been spotted, but they are not lethal if you are stung by one. There are harmless spiders and at night the trees and the sky sparkle with fireflies. The weather at Lake Atitlan in February and March is typically sunny skies with temperatures in the 70s by day, cooling down to the 50s at night. in the mornings and a little cooler at night. Please bring a sweater or shawl for evenings outdoors under the palapa.

  • Yes, by all means, bring your laptop. Instead of carrying around a computer bag, you should use a simple backpack. The electrical current is the same as back in the U.S.

  • There is a doctor and a small hospital run by Americans in Santiago, about 45 minutes away. San Marcos is a very health-conscious town, but the orientation in the village leans toward preventive medicine and alternative healing. There is a doctor in a nearby village, and the Clinica Naturista in the village is led by an American nurse, but the nearest hospital that I would want to go to would be in Antigua. Several people with health problems have joined our retreats over the years. We kindly ask that you let us know about any health issues you have so we can help accommodate them.

  • There is a good internet connection at Casa Paloma. The best way to communicate with loved ones in the U.S. is on WhatsApp, which uses wifi for free messaging and calls. Family can use WhatsApp to makcallu or Manu (Casa Paloma retreat manager) for no freet is also the way to communicate with your retreat group and Gina, Megan, Manu, or Martha (travel coordinator in Guatemala) before and during the trip. The airport wifi is not always dependable. To troubleshoot this, it is recommended you bring a prepaid calling card. It can be costly to make international calls otherwise.

  • Tuition to the workshop is all-inclusive, with the following exceptions:

    ● Tips for helpers

    ● Healing Work: You should know that the village of San Marcos offers a vast range of alternative healing and massage practitioners. A ninety-minute massage will cost $30-35.

    Most other treatments are similarly priced.

    ● Phone: around a dollar a minute without your cell phone.

    ● Shopping budget: Your costs there can go from $4 for a pound of freshly picked and roasted local coffee or chocolate, to a couple hundred dollars if you want to fill your suitcase with textiles.

  • ● Soap and Shampoo

    ● Towels for shower and swimming

    ● Laundry service

    Please note: there are no hair dryers in the rooms.

  • When you tell your friends you’re coming to Guatemala, many may express concern that it’s a dangerous country. If you visit the U.S. State Department website you will see that Guatemala is still one of the countries with a travel advisory in place.

    Guatemala earned its “dangerous” reputation during the 30 years of brutal internal war. In the years since the 1996 signing of the Peace Accords, the country has struggled with corrupt leaders, as many countries do. As with most cities, there are parts of Guatemala City that are unsafe. There have also been robberies on the highways and back roads around the countryside, but you will not be taking these roads at night.

    The vast majority of the Mayan people in the village are peaceful, friendly, and trustworthy. They are the kind of people who would return a hundred quetzal notes they found in the pocket of your jeans when doing your laundry (as has happened to me). When traveling anywhere outside your country, be mindful not to flaunt expensive jewelry or cameras. It is recommended that women attending the workshop carry a backpack or a shoulder bag (there are beautiful ones for sale in Guatemala). We have never had a retreat attendee be a victim of physical violence.

  • A part of the proceeds from the retreat always goes to worthwhile projects and groups in the villages of San Marcos La Laguna and Santiago. Your attendance at a retreat or workshop in Guatemala provides the best kind of help to the Mayan indigenous community: bringing jobs and tourism to an area that has experienced hardship over the years. Let us know if you are interested in any volunteer projects around the village and we can help facilitate that.

    Poverty in Guatemala: Families in Guatemala do not go hungry, but in the villages, there is very little in the way of material possessions and comforts. While this may be difficult for Americans to see or understand, please know that a lack of money and possessions does not have any bearing on their happiness and ability to have fun. Guatemalan kids don’t have toys, but they tenderly care for babies and old people, and have a deep connection to earth. Little boys in the village roll hoops and catch fish at dawn. Girls help their mothers make fresh tortillas. One thing hardly ever hear in this community is the sound of a crying infant or child.

    One thing we always ask of participants at my retreats and workshops which does not have to involve any expense: If you are not using your full two-suitcase luggage allotment, it would be much appreciated if you could bring with you a bag of used clothing, particularly sneakers for kids. Some students bring down one or two pairs; others collect them from friends or buy up a pile of shoes at the Goodwill and come with ten pairs or more.

    Every year we have a giant shoe giveaway in town. One of the great things about living in this little village is that it’s a small enough place for your actions to make a difference. So, the month after the workshop, it’s easy for me to spot the effect of your time here. Children whose toes used to be sticking out of their sneakers can be seen jumping around in used but still-good Nikes. For a child here, shoes are among the few possessions that matter.