The Full Itinerary
Guatemalan Trip, 2025
Colour, taste, culture, coffee and warm hospitality.
As a Canadian family of 7 that has lived in San Juan for 3+ years, we want to welcome you into what is now our home, and introduce you to the gems we have found.
Fresh fruit like you've never tasted.
Experience corn, chocolate and coffee - simple and uncomplicated.
This is a trip back in time that you do not want to miss!
Join us! We look forward to hosting you as if you were family.
Day 1
Jan 20, 2025
11am
Shuttle pick up in Guatemala City.
3pm
Arrive in San Juan La Laguna. Welcome wine and charcuterie served, settle into lodging.
4pm
Rest, walk around town centre.
6pm
Dinner and cultural orientation, retreat schedule review.
Day 2
Jan 21, 2025
8am
Breakfast is served and coffee poured at accommodations.
9am
Coffee tour for a special morning of coffee immersion!
Picking, learning about different grading and what makes good coffee good!
Drying processes demonstrated and explained by farmers.
1pm
Lunch on deck of accommodations, relax in a hammock for a moment to process the fact that you are now IN GUATEMALA!
2pm
A brief history of Guatemala, overview of the current economic situation.
Afternoon and evening free to explore San Juan or lie on the nearby beach!
Restaurant recommendations list given for an evening out.
Day 3
Jan 22, 2025
8am
Breakfast served and coffee, poured, cupped and sampled.
Different brewing techniques compared.
Open morning for exploring the art and colours of San Juan, moto-taxi tours available, ice-cream on the dock, taking in sun.
12pm
Lunch, comfort foods: Soup and Sandwiches
2pm
Optional activity timeslots offered:
Traditional weaving class ($5)
Kayaking on the lake ($10)
Local Apiary tour ($15)
In-room 1 hour massage with our masseuse, Esther. ($45 add-on)
5pm
A special dinner at Ancestral Delight. A one of the kind fine dining experience in Esmeralda and Josias' first class restaurant.
Day 4
Jan 23, 2025
6am
Coffee served on deck for those that wish to stretch and take in sunrise...otherwise, sleep-in!!!
9am
Breakfast served in outdoor kitchen and dining space, free time.
11am
Optional tortilla making workshop, shopping, getting to know San Juan.
1pm
Optional Boat tour around Lake Atitlan ($20 per person)
6pm
Dinner served at Zamboni Steakhouse
Evening
Optional bonfire, games, chill time
Day 5
Jan 24, 2025
4:15am
Wake up, meet in garden and take shuttle up Rostro Maya trail to overlook the Lake during sunrise.
5:45am
Arrive at summit to take in sunrise over Lake Atitlan. Pancake breakfast, coffee and fruit served by host.
7:30am
Pickup Truck ride down through villages for a view of Lake Atitlan's beautiful scenery
8am
Back at accommodations: naps and free time!
12pm
Light lunch with coffee and traditional cacao served with local guest speaker, folklore and myths told while you enjoy your meal!
Free afternoon / sauna hut bookings
5pm
A special dinner event with live music
6:30pm
Wine, tea, coffee and dessert!
Day 6
Jan 25, 2025
8am
Final breakfast with local families involved in hosting attending, staff appreciation and time to share highlights
10am
Final goodbyes and time to walk through town.
12pm
Shuttle leaves for Guatemala City Airport.
(Stay extensions available for those that wish to stay longer at the lake...you won't want to leave!)
To learn more about San Juan, click here.
Where you'll be staying while here.
Each one of the rooms offered in this package boast a beautiful east facing view so you enjoy the daily sun rising over Lake Atitlan. Private bathrooms, beautiful views, local decor.
Earlybird price per person:
$1350
(First 4 applicants, after that, normal pricing of 1500 will be apllied)
Per couple price: $2500
(Prices for this retreat are in Canadian Funds)
REGISTRATION OPENS SEP 9th, 2024
CLOTHES PACK LIST
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7-8 Pairs socks and underwear
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2 Pants
-
Comfortable hiking pants
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3 pairs of shorts
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5 shirts/tops
-
Toiletries
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Swimwear
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Sandals -hiking type recommended for versatility
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Sport Bras
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Jacket AND sweater
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Walking shoes
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Earplugs and headphones
GENERAL INFORMATION
Join us for an incredible 6 days of cultural immersion- this is a different kind of trip! Having lived in Guatemala with our 5 kids for some time now, we are proud to connect our guests with authentic and meaningful experiences. Our community means so much to us and we want YOU to see what it is like, for yourselves.
Personal travel insurance is highly encouraged if taking part in this trip.
While Guatemala may appear on some websites' travel advisory caution lists, our personal experience on Lake Atitlan is of feeling very safe and looked out for by our community. We would suggest not spending much time in the Capital of Guatemala City, but highly recommend Antigua, Lake Atitlan and its rural surroundings if you are inclined to extend your trip.
Lake Atitlan remains extremely traditional and conservative in nature. Please remember that we are guests and as such we should dress and behave respectfully towards our hosts. Please dress modestly during your time here.
Bringing a small gift is optional but recommended to give to some of the families we support in our community. (Quality socks, non-lingual games (like UNO, a quality decks of cards, Blockus), children's toys or a quality kitchen utensil/gadget.)
As our name Culture Chalk implies, we specialize in Cultural Education. We truly want you to experience the best of Guatemalan culture while representing your own culture with class, sensitivity and objectivity. And trust us, we know it's not always easy when experiencing new things, as good as they may be, they are still different and different can be challenging. We encourage visitors to come with an attitude of loving Guatemala for what it is and not judging it for what it is not.
Guatemala is a vibrant place and roosters crowing, dogs barking, music playing and fireworks being set off at all times of the day is considered normal. Come ready to laugh, dance, sing, and see yourself (and your partner) in a brand new light.
Also... Please bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper! ;)
Our goal as your hosts is for you to leave our place BETTER, in so many ways.
Cultural Immersion Retreats