Registration is open for March 25-April 2, 2027
Spanish Immersion Retreat in Guatemala
The 2025 Spanish Immersion retreat was a huge success, so we’re bringing it back in 2026, with even more great activities added.This retreat is a weeklong light-immersion in Spanish study at all levels, including beginner, intermediate, and beyond.
Before you join the retreat, you’ll be asked to evaluate your level of Spanish (from “all I can say is ‘Hola’ to “advanced’.)) This allows us to place you in a group with one or two other retreat participants of roughly your same level. Guests spend each day with their own professional local tutor where you’ll engage in conversation and classes that include Spanish language, Guatemalan history, and Mayan culture.
Every day, our group will head out to explore places and meet local people (artisans, a coffee roaster, fisherman, artists ) around Lake Atitlan. . Led by an expert local birder, we’ll travel across the lake to search for the national bird, the rare quetzal, visit a weaving collective, hike to a waterfall, take a cooking lesson with our chef, Rosa, and much more. The week closes with a two hour long fire ceremony with a local shaman, and (of course) a party.
This will be a transformational Spanish immersion experience for all levels.
This is an all-inclusive retreat which begins with your arrival at the Guatemala City airport, where we will have a taxi waiting to take you an hour away to the small, beautiful and historical city of Antigua. Here you’ll meet the rest of your group for drinks and a fabulous dinner and boutique hotel stay. The following day , you’ll have the morning to explore Antigua with others from your group or on your own, before boarding a shuttle for the roughly three and a half hour journey over the mountains to Lake Atitlan, where a boat will be waiting to bring you to the Casa Paloma dock.
Joyce will be out there to greet you, with a pitcher of margaritas (with or without alcohol) close at hand, and the best guacamole you ever tasted, with home-made chips. After you’ve had a chance to settle into your room, the group will meet up for a dinner of Rosa’s wood fired pizza served on the patio, overlooking the lake and the volcano, followed by a little orientation from Joyce, and a good night’s sleep. You might want to step out on your balcony for a moment first, to see the stars.
What’s included
Daily three hour private class with one or two of your fellow retreat participants at your level (beginner to advanced) with an experienced native speaker, taking place in Joyce’s home and gardens or walking to the village, on the dock, or in any of a wide variety of beautiful locations.
One hour late afternoon group class with sunset drinks and appetizers
Breakfast and lunch in Spanish for those who choose. (Dinners will be a time for English
speaking.)
Daily excursions to local markets, bird watching, shaman, visits to local weaving
collective, medicinal herbs, and more—all conducted in Spanish
Evening activities—films, music, a salsa class—conducted in Spanish (English
socializing for those who choose)
Lunch out to one of Joyce’s favorite restaurants on the lake
Three extraordinary and healthy meals a day prepared fresh and served by our private
chef, Rosa Navichoc Chac - vegetarian/gluten/dairy free options are available
Healthy homemade snacks, coffee, tea, and filtered water are available to all guests
throughout the duration of your stay, with wine or hand-crafted drinks at sunset for those
who choose
A talk from Joyce on writing memoir, along with the story of how the real-life Bird Hotel
came into being
One private professional one-hour lakeside massage
Wi-Fi and airport transportation
One night stay in lovely boutique hotel in Antigua and dinner
Daily sauna access
Swimming and water activities including paddle boards and kayaks
Daily morning group yoga class
If you have reviewed the itinerary and FAQs and would like to move forward with next steps, please continue to the form below.
AccomModations
Rooms are reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Before making your final decision, please go to Casa Paloma and carefully read the room description and click through the gallery of pictures. You want to be aware of each room's unique features.
Tuk Tuk ~ 2 queen beds. 2 guests, $4,695 each
Estrella ~ 1 queen bed. Couple, $9,700 or 1 guest, $5,895
Pajaro ~ 2 full sized beds. 2 guests, $4,795 each
At Home in the World ~ 1 queen bed and private bath outside of room. Couple $8,900 or 1 guest $5,500 or Shared 2 Twins 4,595 each
Piedra ~ 1 twin bed. 1 guest $5,095
Azul ~ 1 queen bed. 1 guest $5,295
Count the Ways ~ 1 queen bed, private bath outside of bedroom. Couple $8,700 or 1 guest $5,295
Casa Una Two ~ 1 queen bed. Couple $8,900 1 Guest $5,395
Casa Una One ~ 1 queen bed and 1 twin bed. Couple $9,295 or 2 guests $5395 each
The Bird Nest ~ 1 queen bed. Couple $10,000 or 1 guest $6,000
Celeste ~
Questions? Email Megan — lifebythelakewithjoyce@gmail.com
¿Preguntas? Envía un correo electrónico a Megan — lifebythelakewithjoyce@gmail.com
*Cancellation policy: Full refund (minus $500 admin fee) if cancellation is 10 weeks prior to retreat start date.
Map of Casa Paloma SAN MARCOS LA LAGUNA Lake Atitlan GUATEMALA