"Older School" 2026
Retirement living tailored specifically for active adults aged
fifty and up!
Come enjoy our slow paced, cultural immersion program. Designed for adults to take a break from North-American or European winters, we offer the opportunity to truly connect with a community that zealously protects the tradition of respecting and valuing their elders.
Where?
Nestled just minutes from the shore of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, our hotel boasts stunning views of the Lake.
When?
Program begins Jan 1st, 2026 and runs until March 30th, 2026 with a one month stay minimum to encourage the development of long-term friendships and to foster an adequate sense of community.
What is included?
Our program includes:
Delicious and nutritious daily breakfasts and lunches prepared by our chefs. (No hospital/cafeteria food!)
Daily evening tea and sweetbread.
3 Spanish private or group lessons a week, taught by locals.
Weekly guided hikes.
Regular guided market visits and interactive Spanish lessons.
Story-telling circles.
Open mic nights.
Weekly deep cleans of your bedroom.
Optional "age-bridging" events - be adopted by a local family as a grandparent and get to know what daily life is like for a local Guatemalan family!
Organized games and social activities in our games room.
Organizational help coordinating transfers to and from the airport.
ALL ACCOMMODATIONS.
Traditional workshops: weaving, embroidery, chocolate making, roasting coffee, fishing.
Bi-weekly boat tours around Lake Atitlan.
Organized exotic bird watching excursions.
What is the monthly cost for all this?
Price per person is $1875
Price per couple is $2750
*All funds USD
We care about and love our local neighbors: cultural awareness, community service, and building mutually beneficial, long-term local friendships are the cornerstones of our vision.
PROGRAM DATES: Jan1st - March 30th, 2026
8 Rooms Available
What is not included:
Flights
Personal Travel Insurance (Required)
Gratuity for guides/hotel staff
Suppers
Minimum Stay: 1 Month
Cultural Activities
Our activities will connect you to the culture of the country you are visiting. You are not coming to Guatemala to stay in a room and watch TV... you are coming to LIVE!
We can't wait to introduce you to our local staff and workshop facilitators.
LEARN: Weaving, embroidery, sewing, shoemaking, welding, baking... the world is your oyster! Come to learn some of the skills you've always dreamed of acquiring but haven't had the time!
Supporting local business
Many of the businesses we support belong to neighbors that Culture Chalk assisted in creating through our Social Impacts programs. We are deeply committed to having a positive relationship with the Guatemalan local community that has welcomed our own Canadian family with open arms!
We are proud to offer guests the opportunity to give as much as they take from this wonderful land!
Spanish Classes
Our local teachers are personal, enthusiastic, beautiful people!
Get in closer touch with the intricacies of Latin and Spanish cultures by taking steps towards better understanding the language! Our teachers are patient and adaptable to the levels of each student, ensuring the bite sized 30 minute lessons are worth your while.
This is your chance to learn Spanish or brush up your skills!
Interactive conversational classes over coffee, a market visit, a game of crib OR in a classroom setting, whatever suits your learning style best!
Community
As your hosts, community is one of the core values that guide our decision making. We want our guests to not only feel "at home", we want YOU to form a part of what makes our place so great for others as well. We interview all guests to ensure this is a common value all attendees hold close and dear to their hearts.
Trail hiking and walking
Guatemala is a stunning Country! We guide walking groups and light hikes regularly to ensure you get the exercise you need and feel safe in a group setting while you get to know the area.
The weather during the months of January through March are particularly lovely dry, clear and sunny at Lake Atitlan.
Food
Ok.. we're foodies and we guarantee the menu is something we will never skimp out on! We love good food, lots of it, and love sharing. Come join us and you are in for daily culinary treats!
Coffee
An aspect so important, we had to mention it! You are in Guatemala, and freshly roasted Guatemalan coffee will be available all day, everyday. It is just that good!
Value
We are committed to offering a high-value experience for the dollars you pay for this program. We discuss any potential expenses you may encounter outside of the program and do not have any hidden fees or surprise surcharges above and beyond what is detailed upon registration.
LEAVE IT TO US.
We take care of all the details! Travelling to another country can be stressful. You just get your ticket and we'll be at the airport to pick you up, show you around, introduce you to our staff and get you acquainted with the area. We love what we do and you'll see why when you get here.
Experience a trial run of community living during your stay. We encourage scheduled potluck community dinners, campfires in the garden and story-telling circles in our shared spaces. Starlink Wifi is here to stay for all you digital nomads that still need to work while away and we offer private workspaces for those that video call regularly.
Program suitable for active, aged 50+ adults in good physical and mental health, references required.
Want to see more? Here's our promo video that showcases some of our activities, area and accommodations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
An incredible one to three month stay of play hard fun! We are so proud to offer this experience! Once registered, you will be invited to the Older School WhatsApp group party-line where registered guests are posting ideas, preparation tips and general info.
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 some small gifts is 100% recommended to give to some of the families we support that we will be introducing you to from our community. (Quality socks, non-lingual games (like UNO, a quality deck of playing cards, Blockus), children's art supplies, 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 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