Calm lake Atitlán with volcanoes in the background, framed by trees and rooftops in the foreground.

Welcome Packet

Ripples Retreat in Guatemala

February 7-14, 2027

Hosted by Seven Springs

Thank you so much for signing up for this immersive retreat. We can’t wait to share the magic of Guatemala with you!

A cobblestone street in Antigua Guatemala, a colonial town with colorful buildings, a clock tower on a yellow arch, and a volcano in the background.
A group of people standing on a colorful street holding coconuts, with decorative umbrellas and buildings in the background.
Person kneeling on a woven mat, arranging stones outdoors with some colorful craft materials and yarns in front, volcano in the background, and trees and flowers surrounding the scene.

Retreat Schedule

Our arrival day, Feb 7th, includes transportation from the airport to Antigua (about a 1 hour drive). We will spend two nights in Antigua to explore the vibrant colonial city including a traditional Maya crafts market, ancient Church ruins, and the Organic Permaculture project of Caoba Farms.

From there we will travel to Lake Atitlan, stopping at Iximché to explore ancient Maya temples and ruins. On the Lake, we will spend five more nights in the luxurious Casa Floresta located on the shores of the Lake.

Full Schedule

Sunday- February 7th: Arrive in Antigua

  • 6:00 PM — Dinner

Monday- February 8th

  • 8:30 AM — Breakfast

  • 9:30 AM — Free Time

  • 12:00 PM — Meet at Rincon Tipico for lunch

  • 1:00 PM — Antigua Historical Tour & Traditional Market

  • 3:30 PM — Leave for Caoba Farms

  • 4:00 PM — Tour of Organic Farms

  • 6:00 PM — Dinner at Caoba Farms

Tuesday- February 9th

  • 8:30am - Breakfast

  • ​9:30am - Depart from Antigua

  • 11:00am - Arrive at Iximché for Tour & Maya Fire Offering

  • 1:30pm - Depart from Iximchė

  • 3:00pm- Arrive to Lake Atitlan

  • 3:15pm- Private boat to Casa Floresta dock

  • 4:30pm- Opening Circle & Welcome

  • 5:30pm- Dinner

  • 6:30pm - Evening Yin

Wednesday – February 10th

  • 8:15am - Grounding Yoga

  • 9:15am- Light breakfast

  • 10:00am- Ripples Workshop & Mayan Cosmology

  • 11:30am- Brunch

  • 1:30pm- Cacao & Maya Ceremony

  • 6:30pm- Dinner

Thursday – February 11th

  • Lake morning and SUP

  • 9:00am- Full Breakfast

  • 10:00am- Leave for San Marcos

  • 10:30am- Tour of Escuela Caracol

  • 11:30pm- Workshop at Konojel with Pupusas

  • ​2:30pm - Return to Casa Floresta

  • 2:45pm - Snack at Casa Floresta

  • ​3:30pm - Sauna Ceremony

  • 5:30pm- Dinner

  • 6:30pm- Evening Restorative with Sound Ceremony

Friday – February 12th

  • 8:15am - Grounding Yoga

  • 9:15am- Light breakfast

  • 10:00am- Free time

  • 11:00am- Brunch

  • 12:00pm- Women's Weaving Association & Shopping in San Juan

  • 4:30pm - Meet for Boat to Casa Floresta

  • 5:30pm- Dinner

Saturday – February 13th

  • 4:30am - Boat to Santiago

  • 5:30am - Quetzal Hike & Tour

  • 9:30am - Finish Hike

  • 10:00am - Boat to Santa Catarina

  • 10:30am - Brunch in Santa Catarina & Tour

  • 12:30pm - Boat to San Antonio

  • 1:00pm - Pottery & Painting Workshop

  • 3:30pm - Leave for Casa Floresta

  • 5:30pm - Dinner

  • 6:30pm - Closing Ripples Workshop

Sunday – February 14th

  • 8:00am- Breakfast

  • Free Time

  • 11:00am - Check Out

Sunlit lakeside view with trees, a stone building with multiple balconies, and mountains in the background.
Farm with rows of green and purple leafy vegetables, greenhouses, and mountains in the background under a blue sky with clouds.
Colorful umbrellas hanging above a busy street with people walking, a decorated stone wall, and trees.
A group of women and men smiling in a room decorated with colorful yarn, plants, and a rainbow triangle art piece on the wall. They are surrounded by baskets of yarn, with some sitting and others standing.
Group of people meditating around a campfire in nature with a mountain in the background during sunset.

What To Bring

  • All natural personal products (natural toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)

  • Natural bug spray and sunscreen

  • Water bottle

  • Light hiking shoes and sandals

  • Bathing suit

  • Comfortable clothes, including light layers

  • ​Sun hat

  • Journal and pen

  • Open, caring attitude

View from an airplane window showing a mountain range with a snow-capped volcano, a city, and a large body of water below.

Getting to Guatemala

Fly into La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. From there we will arrange your transportation to Antigua!

Serene lake scene with two mountains in the background, part of a larger volcanic crater, surrounded by trees and lush greenery with a thatched hut on stilts over the water.

Travel Logistics

  • Lake Atitlán enjoys a temperate, springlike climate year-round, with warm days, cool evenings, and gentle mountain breezes.

    February is one of the most beautiful times to visit, as it's part of Guatemala’s dry season; when the days are bright and sunny, the air is clear, and the evenings invite cozy layers and stargazing.

    Expect plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures ideal for swimming, hiking, and relaxing outdoors amid the lake’s natural beauty.

  • In Guatemala, there are two associated plug types: A and B. Plug type A has two flat parallel pins, and plug type B has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin.

    Guatemala operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.

    Those are the same power outlets in the US- no need for a converter or traveling from there.

  • Tourist visas are free for American citizens and many other nationalities.

    You don't need to do anything beforehand to get your visa. The process is straightforward. When you arrive at the airport, you will fill out a customs form with your arrival and travel details.

    We can also send this form to you beforehand if you'd like to fill it out a few days before!

    The immigration agents and customs officers speak English and can help you upon arrival if you have any questions.

    Please check the requirements for your nationality prior to traveling.

  • Guatemala requires you to fill out an online immigration form for your arrival. We would suggest filling this out a few days before you arrive. Here is the link to the form:
    https://cdn.c.sat.gob.gt/declaDelViajeroGt-web/pages/public/declaracionJuradaDelViajero.html

  • If you are arriving before the retreat officially starts, we would recommend looking into staying at the follow hotels in Antigua:

    Las Cruces, Porta Hotel Antigua, San Rafael, Casa Encantada, Hotel Soleil, Los Pasos, Mesón Panza Verde

  • If you will be staying some extra days after the retreat officially ends, we would recommend staying at Kula Maya, a boutique hotel in San Marcos la Laguna

Responsible travel

Responsible Tourism & Cultural Respect

We invite you to journey not just as a visitor, but as a thoughtful guest in the region of Lake Atitlán- a place that holds deep significance for the Indigenous Mayan communities who live here.

Our retreat includes special experiences like a traditional Maya fire and cacao ceremony with Tata Walter, a visit to the women artisans of Kemó Women’s Weaving Association, and collaborative days with local nonprofits Konojel and Escuela Caracol.

These are not just activities, they are opportunities to connect, listen, support, and honour the land and community.

Here are a few helpful guidelines:

  • Arrive with openness and curiosity- ask questions, listen deeply, and be willing to learn!

  • Dress modestly and respectfully during village visits, ceremonies, and cooperative workshops- this shows honour for local customs.

  • Practice mindful photography: ask permission before photographing people or cultural spaces, and be respectful of sacred rituals and private moments.

  • When interacting with the weaving cooperative or visiting markets, look for authentic creations that support the artisans directly- your participation helps preserve traditional crafts and livelihoods.

  • During NGO visits and community-impact days with Konojel or Escuela Caracol, engage with humility and integrity.

  • Be aware of environmental impact: stay on marked paths, carry a reusable water bottle, and leave no trace- this landscape and lake are held sacred by many.

  • Support local economy: consider purchasing snacks, crafts, or items made locally.

  • Celebrate the cultural immersion with gratitude- offer heartfelt thanks, practice small gestures of respect (such as a smile, nod, or quiet acknowledgement), and reflect on how your presence can be a positive ripple, not just a footprint.

Thank you for bringing a spirit of reverence, responsibility, and authentic connection with you. Together we honor the land, the traditions, and each other.

Classroom scene with students sitting at tables, teachers and visitors standing at the front near a blackboard, red curtains on windows, and children engaged with notebooks and supplies.
People sitting and interacting in a creative art exhibit with colorful woven pieces and a painted wall in the background.

What to Expect for Meals

A table with three bowls of mixed salad, three glasses of dessert topped with whipped cream and nuts, and a large platter of fried food, with cutlery and a bowl of soup.

At Casa Floresta, food is an integral part of the retreat experience: colorful, nourishing, and made with love. Each dish is crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients to support both body and spirit.

Chef Stacy Lewis brings her passion for clean, wholesome cooking to every plate, creating vibrant vegetarian meals with vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options available.

From sunrise smoothies to beautifully plated dinners, every bite is designed to nourish and inspire.

*You will have the option to add on chicken or fish at dinner for an additional $6 per meal.

A lakeside patio with outdoor chairs, potted plants, and a tiled roof, overlooking a calm lake surrounded by mountains, trees, and a clear blue sky.
A lakeside scene with a multi-story house surrounded by trees, overlooking a body of water with mountains in the background, in clear and bright weather.

About Casa Floresta

Casa Floresta, where we will be staying for 5 nights after Antigua, is a family-run eco-retreat center on Lake Atitlán, designed as a space for connection, creativity, and community.

With sweeping views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes, cozy cabins, a private dock, and a dedicated Temple space, Casa Floresta invites guests into a world of natural beauty and quiet reflection.

Tucked into the peaceful cove of Pasajcap, just around the bay from San Marcos La Laguna, you’ll find the perfect place to disconnect and reconnect.

Questions?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you might still have.

We’re so happy you’ll be able to experience this sacred land, and join us for this amazing cultural expereince!

Whatsapp Group

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to join our Ripple’s Retreat Whatsapp Group! This will be our main place to communicate before and during the retreat

Join the Group