essence retreat at lake atitlan, guatemala
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Stay at Kawoq Forest Wellness Sanctuary – awarded one of the 2024 top retreat locations by National Geographic!
- Practice daily meditation, breathwork, and movement
- Have free time to relax and explore
- Sunrise hike (Indian’s Nose)
- Boat ride across the Lake to San Pedro for a tortilla-making class with a local family
- Workshops with expert guest facilitators
- Visit a local backstrap weaving cooperative
- Campfires under the stars
- Optional add-on: Overnight Volcano Acatenango hike with hopes of seeing Volcano Fuego erupt under the stars
Are you tired of feeling like a human robot on the hamster wheel of life?
Work, sleep, repeat?
You’re going through the motions society tells you to go through… to get the material things that are marketed to give you happiness, but really… you just want some space to relax, heal, be free, play, learn, laugh, spend time with other soul-deep people, and BE YOURSELF!
That’s why Taylar created Sol Deep Yoga Retreats. You’ll have these 6 retreat days to rest, recharge, and unravel to your truest self–back to your essence.
Essence: the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something.
That’s who you are before society told you what to be. And when you begin to peel back those layers to get back to your truest divine nature… that’s when your spark becomes most alive, when your world begins to bloom again.
So after the retreat, you can go back home and approach your life with a full cup of creativity, love, and passion… no matter where you go or who you’re with.
Want to hear what more? Check out the full itinerary below!
- Trip dates: February 15 - 21, 2025
- 7 days
- 6 nights
- Add-on Overnight Volcano Hike: February 21 - 23, 2025
- 3 days
- 2 nights
itinerary
Note: There may be adjustments to the schedule due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. slight change of meal times or workshop offerings). That’s the joy of traveling to a new country and new culture– it sometimes requires flexibility. However, the value of the retreat offerings will remain the same. 🙂
Arrive to Guatemala City’s La Aurora Airport (airport code GUA) and take a shuttle or taxi to the hotel in Antigua (30 minutes-1 hr drive, depending on traffic). You’ll meet the Sol Deep Retreat Family for a delicious group dinner before settling into bed.
Wake up early, eat breakfast, and head to Lake Atitlan. It’s a 4-5 hour drive. Once we arrive to San Marcos La Laguna, we will make the walk up to the Kawoq Forest. Remember to bring a backpack (not a suitcase). We will relax a bit before having an evening opening circle and dinner.
- 7:30 AM: Rise and shine for meditation, breathwork, and journaling
- 8:30 AM: Morning all-levels yoga class
- 10:30 AM: Brunch
- 11:30 PM: Visit the San Marcos Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve
- 3:00 PM Snack break
- 4:30 PM: Restorative yoga session and journaling
- 6:00 PM: Dinner
- 7:30 PM: Sound healing experience with guest facilitator
- 9:00: Bedtime
- 5:00 AM: Sunrise Mayan Face Hike in San Juan La Laguna
- 9:30 AM: Meditation, breathwork and journaling
- 10:30 AM: Brunch
- 11:30 AM: Free time
- 3:00 PM Snack break
- 4:00 PM: Restorative yoga session, plant bath, and journaling
- 6:00 PM: Dinner
- 7:00 PM: Evening circle and campfire
- 9:00: Bedtime
- 7:30 AM: Rise and shine for meditation, breathwork, and journaling
- 8:30 AM: Morning all-levels yoga class
- 10:30 AM: Brunch
- 12:00-3:00 PM Free time
- 3:00 PM Snack break
- 4:00 PM: Workshop with guest facilitator and journaling
- 6:00 PM: Dinner
- 7:30 PM: Open temezcal for anyone at Kawoq Forest
- 9:00: Bedtime
- 7:30 AM: Rise and shine for meditation, breathwork, and journaling
- 8:30 AM: Morning all-levels yoga class
- 9:30 AM: Brunch
- 11:00-4:30 PM: Take a boat to San Pedro La Laguna and get a tortilla-making lesson from a local family. Stop for a bite to eat, then, get in a tuk-tuk and travel to San Juan La Laguna, where we will visit a women’s weaving cooperative and some other local businesses. Bring your wallet because you’ll probably find a priceless keepsake that you’d like to purchase, which also goes to support local families.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner
- 7:30 PM: Closing circle and campfire
- 9:00: Bedtime
- 7:30 AM: Rise and shine for meditation, breathwork, and journaling
- 9:00 AM: Brunch
- 11:00 AM: Head back to Antigua (for those hiking the volcano) or to Guatemala City airport (for those who aren’t hiking the volcano)
- Check in to the hotel and group dinner
Note: we are going with the BEST agency in Antigua that carries your bag 80% of the way up AND offers cabins with beds at the top. This is a HUGE upgrade from when Taylar carried her super-heavy tent and food on her back all the way up the volcano and didn’t sleep all night because the ground was so cold. There may be others joining us; it’s not exclusively private. But… yay, that allows us to meet new international friends!
- 6:00 AM: Wake up
- 7:00 AM: Meet at the partner agency for gear rental and breakfast.
- 9:00 AM: Departure
- 10:15 AM: Hike starts
- 12:30 PM: Lunch break (Sandwich made with fresh baguette, hummus, spinach, carrot, cucumbers, tomatoes with sweet onion vinaigrette dressing and an apple)
- 3:00 PM: Arrive to base camp
- 4:00 PM: Fuego hike (additional 200 quetzals for those interested; you can pay when you get back to the agency the following day)
- 7:30 PM: Dinner is served (Guatemalan-style lentil curry with rice) and (hopefully!) watch Fuego erupt before bed
- Accomodation: 2-person private cabin with someone on our team. It features 1 double bed and 2 sleeping bags. If you want your own twin bed, I can book you a space in a 4-person cabin.
- 4:30 AM: Summit bid for sunrise
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast (breakfast burrito of rice and beans, plant-based soy al pastor “meat,” and ranchera sauce)
- 8:00 AM: Descent starts
- 10:00 AM: Departure to Antigua
- 1:00 AM: Arrival to Antigua and head back to airport
- Note: If you’re flying out this night, I recommend making your flight at 6 PM or later. Otherwise, you can stay in Antigua another night before departing for the airport the following day (Monday, 2/24).
Thank you for joining Sol Deep Yoga Retreat!
ready to join this transformational experience?
your new sol deep retreat fam!
Retreat guide: taylar
Taylar is a certified yoga and meditation teacher and world traveler. She has taught yoga to people of all ages and fitness levels, including Michigan State University, corporate teams, studios, hotels, schools, and nonprofits.
Taylar will be here to hold space for you on this journey. She will support you in coming closer to your essence– how you were divinely created— by tapping into mindful healing modalities and giving you opportunities to rest and play.
The Kawoq Forest employs expert healers and teachers from various disciplines. During the retreat, we will have two workshops where you will be able to receive the benefits of their expertise.
Retreat-only: 1 night in Antigua at a 3 or 4-star hotel; 5 nights at Kawoq Forest Eco-Luxury Wellness Sanctuary (ranked as one of the top retreat centers in 2024 by National Geographic!)
Retreat + Volcano hike: Additional 2 nights in Antigua on 2/21 (3 or 4-star hotel) and 2/22 (on top of the volcano)
workshops with guest facilitators
You will be invited to 2 workshops led by trusted expert guest faciliators. Workshop topics will depend on availability in February 2025. Examples are Vocal Activation, Conscious Dance, Basics of Thai Massage, and Sound Bath Experience.
unique cultural + nature experiences
We will visit a nature reserve, hike up the Mayan Face, have a tortilla-making class with a local family, and visit a local cooperative to view backstrap weaving, an ancient Mayan art form used for over 2,000 years. PLUS if you’re joining to hike Acatenango, we’ll hopefully get to see Volcano Fuego erupting as we sleep there overnight! *Note: all experiences are optional.
meals
Retreat-only: Welcome dinner on 2/16; Brunch, snack and dinner each day at retreat center; Brunch on the last day before heading back to the airport
Retreat + volcano hike: Same as above, plus brunch and dinner on 2/21, 3 meals on 2/22, and breakfast on 2/23
flight to Guatemala City (GUA) and shuttle to Antigua
You will fly into Guatemala City (La Aurora International Airport – code GUA). Please schedule your flight so you arrive during the daytime (morning or early afternoon). From there, you’ll get transportation to Antigua, Guatemala. You can get a shuttle or Uber- Taylar can help arrange this. For recommendations on when to buy your flight, you can turn on Google Flights Price Alerts.
Visa
U.S. citizens don’t need a visa for stays less than 90 days. If you’re not from the U.S., make sure that you meet the visa requirements per your nationality.
Travel Insurance
You’ll need travel insurance for this trip. Taylar can provide recommendations if you reach out.
porterage fees
Please bring a backpack (not a suitcase!) because you’ll need to walk half a mile uphill to the retreat site. If you would like a porter to carry your bag up the mountain for you, you’ll need to let Taylar know in advance. There will be a $10 charge added to your individual bill to pay upon checkout.
wifi
Yes, we love you. no, we aren’t covering the additional cost of wifi because– Sol deep encourages you to get offline as you go inward on this journey. if you’d like to check in with loved ones at home, no head trash, you’re able to purchase wifi and use it in the common areas. It probably won’t be available in your individual room.
personal expenses & optional activities
You guys… this retreat center is FABULOUS and I’ve poured my heart into giving you the best experiences around both Antigua and Lake Atitlan. Every experience on the itinerary is included. I think your out-of-pocket costs will be negligible (unless you want to invest in a spa service or some lovely keepsakes/souvenirs!).
snacks
We will eat 2 meals (brunch and dinner) and one snack at the retreat every day. You’ll be responsible for any meals or snacks not on the itinerary. Note: Taylar thought she would be really hungry with 2 meals/day last time she was here (LOL) but the meals are hearty and filling, and she found them to be really satisfying.
extra hotel nights
If you’re staying for the retreat portion only, Taylar recommends you schedule a late-night flight out of Guatemala City on 2/21. Otherwise, you can stay the night with the volcano-hiking group on 2/21 (for an additional cost) and fly out of Guatemala City on 2/22.
If you’re staying for the volcano hike, you can schedule an evening flight (7pm or later) for 2/23. Otherwise, you’ll need to book an additional hotel room for 2/23 so you fly out on 2/24. Taylar can help with logistics if you’d like.
personal tips for extra services
Sol Deep Yoga will be tipping Kawoq Forest, restaurant servers, and guides on behalf of the group. Tourism is really important for the livelihood of a lot of individuals and families, and if you’d like to ever go above and beyond to tip someone for their service, you’re welcome to.
Accomodation options
- Occupancy: 1-3 people
- Beds: 1 queen, 1 twin
- Total retreat investment: $1,999 if booked alone; $1,877 if sharing the room
If you want privacy, our Forest Cabin is perfect for you. With gorgeous lake and volcano views, this cabin features a small terrace to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Immerse yourself with the bird songs and vibrant forest that envelop this cabin to relax and feel the stillness within. This cabin is perfect for couples, families or friends to share (3 people max per forest cabin).
- Accommodates: 1-2 people
- Bed options: 1 queen bed
- Total retreat investment: $1,899 if reserving the room solo; $1,775 if sharing the room
With stunning views of Lake Atitlán and the surrounding volcanoes, the Sunrise Suites is located under our Sol Shala. This is the perfect space to watch the sunrise from your terrace and take in the stillness and tranquility of the forest in the early morning.
Our suites can accommodate one or two people in one queen size bed. The beds are comfortable and nourishing with warm feather duvets and premium linens and pillows, decorated with Guatemalan cushions.
These suites are most suitable for yogis who wish to deepen into their spiritual practice and inner worlds, as meditation often begins upstairs at 6:15 am (some days it will be in the other yoga space).
The Sol space above may be used for personal practice or various workshops during the day. These rooms are considered semi-private because they share walls with the Sol space, however, you will have your own private space and entrance.
- Accommodates: 2-4 people
- Bed options: 2 queen beds (one on the bottom floor, and one in the loft)
- Total retreat investment: $1,799 if reserving the room solo; $1,699 if sharing with another person
- Note: Since this room has 2 queen beds, you can be paired with a retreat mate. This allows you to grow closer with someone and have the chance to develop a lifelong friend!
Our bungalows are the perfect shared spaces for deep communal transformation. Looking out over the shimmering waters of Lake Atitlán and its surrounding volcanoes, our shared cabañas have terraces and hammocks to allow you to soak in the beauty of the surroundings.
Book now
- Accommodates: 1-3 people
- Bed options: 2 queen bed and twin bed
- Total retreat investment: $1,799 if reserving the room solo; $1,699 if sharing the room
Bungalow 3 is the highest space on the property, and offers magical views of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes. Bungalow 3 is a beautiful and nourishing space to relax and reset in, and is built from sustainable cypress wood sourced from Guatemalan plantations.
This space has a queen and single bed inside, and features a comfortable terrace with a sofa bed and hammock to capture the panoramic lake views. This room is considered semi-private because it shares walls with the bungalow dorm, however, you will have your own private space and entrance.
- Accommodates: 1-4 people
- Bed arrangement: 4 single beds
- Single bed cost: $1,654
Using natural building techniques and sustainable materials, our bungalows are constructed with either bamboo or cypress, palm roof, and natural adobe walls or traditional bahareque (wattle and daub) of this area. The beds are comfortable and nourishing, with warm feather duvets and premium linens and pillows, decorated with Peruvian Shipibo fabrics and Guatemalan cushions.
- Date: Evening of 2/22/25
- Accommodation: a mattress and sleeping bag in a shared cabin for maximum 6 people
- Volcano hike investment: $339 (includes hike, 5 meals, and dinner and a hotel room in Antigua the night before)
retreat only: feb 15-21, 2025 // + optional overnight volcano hike: feb 21-23, 2025
FAQ
Fitness level for the retreat: My friend, the yoga retreat is located up in the highlands of Lake Atitlan. You will need to walk uphill for approximately 25 minutes to get there. It is INCREDIBLE but also, you need to be ready for the adventure. If you have trouble walking half a mile uphill, another retreat might be a better fit for you. There is no way to take a car there; you must walk!
Fitness level for the hike: moderate to advanced. No, you don’t need to be a marathon runner, but it does require about 6 hours of hiking. And if you get tired half way through, you just gotta keep walking to the top! LOL. One of the challenges is adjusting to the altitude, but we will have already been here for a week, so you should be more accustomed to this.
Anyone of any age is welcome to come, as long as you are able to physically make the 25-minute walk uphill to the retreat center.
Great question, and the answer is no! Beginners are invited to come, but we ask you come with an open heart ready to learn and grow. Part of the yoga journey is putting our ego aside and embracing a learner mentality. That’s why we call it “practicing” yoga; we don’t perform. Every yoga teacher is also a lifelong student.
Kawoq Forest, an eco-luxury retreat, was voted one of the top retreat centers to visit in 2024 by National Geographic.
It is incredibly lovely. Wake up to hear the birds chirping and the sounds of nature as you truly live in the forest! With that being said, yes, the forest has bugs. We’re coming in to their space! Consider it part of the experience as we share space with nature.
Because it is truly an eco-retreat, there are only compost toilets. Don’t worry, they don’t have an odor and are kept very clean.
The showers might not have hot water, either (which will be fine when showering during the day).
You may want to bring a head flashlight to move around at night.
Guatemala is a lovely country with very warmhearted people. Wherever there is economic disparity, however, there are opportunists that may try to take advantage of a situation. I recommend using common sense traveling. Stick with a buddy while traveling around the lake or Antigua, don’t flash your cell phone, and leave expensive jewelry at home.
Make sure you arrive to Guatemala City airport during the day (morning or afternoon) so you can make it to Antigua in time for group dinner.
Kawoq Forest has 24/7 security and also has secure storage for valuables in the office safe.
Wifi is available at an additional cost. We recommend embracing the serenity of nature and staying off social media for the duration of the retreat. However, if you need to communicate with loved ones back home, wifi is available for you in the public dining/lounge area.
Yoga was practiced before most of today’s religion were formed. It is not a religion but an art and science of healthy living. One of the observances of yoga is Ishvara pranidhana which can translate to “devoting oneself entirely to the divine” or “devoting yourself to something or someone greater than yourself.” This might look different for everyone, even for people who come from the same faith background. People of all backgrounds are invited to join.
Lake Atitlan still has many indigenous Mayan individuals and families and they preserve their culture and traditions very well. Many still dress traditionally. While it’s fine to wear normal yoga clothing at the Kawoq Forest (leggings, tank tops), please be respectful when walking through the local communities. Shorts, sports bras, crop tops and tank tops generally aren’t a part of the local dress. You’re advised to wear a t-shirt or something to cover your shoulders when walking through town.
Our time at Kawoq Forest will be substance-free. Please respect the use of the Forest.
All payments are non-refundable. This is because Sol Deep Yoga’s payments to reserve your spot at the retreat are also non-refundable. Please purchase travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance ASAP after booking to protect your investment. Taylar can provide suggestions if you’d like.
