Guatemala Retreat for Introverts & HSPs

Journey through the culture, communities, and volcanic landscapes of Antigua & Lake Atitlan

February 1-8, 2025

Guatemala HSP & Introvert Retreat

Journey through culture, communities, and volcanic landscapes of Antigua & Lake Atitlan

February 1-8, 2025

Join us on an 8-day / 7-night retreat that connects you to the warm hearts & culture of Guatemala at a slower pace than typical group travel.

Come hear the stories of local Guatemalans, learn how people are stewarding their communities, and directly support their projects in the process.

We’ll spend two (2) nights in the small city of Antigua to offer time to meander among colorful walls, colonial architecture, and local markets. Along the outskirts of Antigua, we’ll take a coffee tour with growers from a cooperative who will not only teach us about the entire production process, but will also share their personal obstacles, triumphs, and goals.

Then, we’ll travel to Lake Atitlán to spend five (5) nights at a retreat center looking out to a stunning volcanic backdrop. We’ll visit several villages to experience rich weaving traditions at a women’s cooperative and take an interactive journey through Mayan cuisine.

You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in daily gentle yoga practice to nurture your body and mind, as well as facilitated reflection circles to process experiences together.

We’ve designed this retreat with the intention of fostering meaningful connection and remembering the power of community.

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At a Glance

Facilitator: Melissa Renzi & Assistant Andrea Juarez
Highlights: Culture + Community in Antigua & Lake Atitlán
Venue: Hotel in Antigua + Mid-range eco retreat at the lake
Rooms: Single w/ private bath or double rooms available
Food: Local and international (can meet dietary needs)
Activity Level: Mild to moderate (read more below)
Weather: Daytime 70s °F, nighttime 60s-70s °F
Group Size: Max 12-14 people, including facilitators
Cost: Early bird rates $2,125.00 – $2,475.00 / person

Our retreats are LGBTQ+ Friendly & Affirming.

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The Land & Space

Antigua is a small colonial city that lies at 1500 meters above sea level and is surrounded by volcanoes. Prior to an earthquake in 1773, which destroyed much of the city, Antigua was the capital and hub for the region. It’s known for it’s Spanish architecture, much of which is preserved as ruins. Antigua is located about 1-1.5 hours from Guatemala City.

Antigua Hotel: We’ll stay in a centrally-located boutique hotel, which will allow you to explore on your own. Quality will be similar to our accommodations at the lake⁠—minimalist, but comfortable with Wifi, hot showers, and daily breakfast. Single or shared occupancy arrangements will remain consistent across accommodations.

Lake Atitlán is a body of water that sits in a huge volcanic caldera (approximately 320 meters in depth) in the southwestern highlands. The lake is home to many Mayan communities with several languages spoken and traditional dress widely worn. We’ll be staying in the hills of Tzununá. There is no paved road around the lake, so people travel from village to village by boat. Lake Atitlan is about 2.5 hours from Antigua and 3.5 hours from Guatemala City.

Lomas de Tzununá is a family-run wellness and eco retreat center that is committed to protecting the lake through ecological practices such as renewable energies, reforestation efforts, and gray/black water treatment systems. From the start, Lomas has worked with local stakeholders to learn how their retreat center could support the community. In response, they’ve built and continue to sustain a community center, which is a hub of educational, cultural, economic, and social empowerment for the citizens of Tzununá.

Access: The retreat sits upon the side of a cliff, so it has many stairs. There are 350 steps to climb from the dock. There are benches along the path where you can pause to enjoy the view and staff will help with your luggage. There is an option to be dropped at a different dock and take a tuk-tuk to the entrance, but there are still steps on the property itself. If you have concerns, please reach out to discuss.

Accommodations: Lomas de Tzununá offers 14 rooms with stunning views of the lake. Rooms afford the perfect balance of modern amenities and simple eco living. Most rooms have ensuite bathrooms; some have shared bathrooms. Some rooms require walking more stairs than others, so inform us if you have mobility concerns.

Food: Meals served are a mix of local and international cuisine prepared with as many locally grown ingredients as possible. Animal protein, including meat, will be offered at most meals. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs can be met, if you tell us in advance. Some lunches will be included in our activities, but we’ve left some lunches out so that you can choose whether to eat in the villages or order from venue restaurants.

Facilities: Lomas de Tzununá has a large indoor yoga shala equipped with all mats and props, an unheated outdoor swimming pool, sauna, massage room, library/lounge space, and large dining area with a patio. The grounds will be private for our group.

This was my first trip with Melissa, but it will not be my last. I really stepped out and did something unexpected for me and it paid off greatly. I am truly privileged and grateful to have participated in this retreat. Throughout the whole trip, the spirit of the Guatemala culture made me inspired to learn and do more in my culture, in my own neighborhood. I can’t put into words how magical this retreat really was.

Jasmine C.

Day 1

Arrive in Antigua: After flying into La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, you’ll travel about 1-1.5 hours to Antigua where you’ll check into our initial hotel. You’ll have time to relax or stroll through the lush gardens before our opening circle at 5:00 p.m. Following our circle, we’ll share our first dinner together at the hotel.

Day 2

Coffee Farm Visit: We’ll have a short movement practice (7am) in the hotel garden followed by breakfast (8am). At 9am, we’ll drive to the coffee farm of San Miguel Escobar where we’ll learn the entire coffee production process from seed to brew. We’ll share a traditional lunch with the growers before returning to Antigua. We’ll arrive back early afternoon so you have the rest of the day to rest and explore Antigua at your own pace. You’ll have the choice of going out to dinner or eating at the hotel restaurant.

Day 3

Travel to Lake Atitlan: We’ll have a short garden yoga practice followed by breakfast at our hotel. You’ll have time to relax or shower before check-out. Around 11am, we’ll take a packed lunch on our drive to the lake, which is about 2.5 hours. There we’ll be greeted by our boat driver who will transport us to the hotel. We’ll have a couple of hours to settle in and relax. Around 5:00, we’ll gather for a short grounding stretch followed by a reflection circle before our first dinner at the retreat center.

Day 4

Women’s Weaving Cooperative: We’ll arise to the volcanic backdrop with yoga (7a) and breakfast (8:30a). You’ll have some time to relax. Around 11am, we’ll take a boat to the vibrant village of San Juan La Laguna. We will visit a women’s cooperative to learn how they spin cotton, create dyes from local plants, weave textiles using a backstrap loom, and sustain an equitable business model. Then, you’ll have time to stroll through abundant street art, visit other shops, and grab some lunch. Our boat will head back around 3pm, but you’ll be able to take a boat earlier if you wish. We’ll have evening yoga prior to dinner.

Day 5

Free Day or Visit Tzununa: We’ll arise for yoga and breakfast.You may choose to enjoy some free time relaxing at the pool or getting a massage. If you’re looking to get out, you may walk to town and eat at the local “comedor”, a traditional restaurant with lovely food. If there’s interest, we may be able to visit the community center that the retreat founders support. You’re also encouraged to take some personal time in the afternoon to simply reflect and rest. We’ll have a reflection circle around 6:00 before our dinner.

Day 6

Mayan Cooking Class: Following morning yoga and breakfast, we will take a boat to San Pedro La Laguna where we will meet our cooking guide, Anita. She will take us through the market to buy ingredients and learn about foods that are important to her culture. Then, we’ll go to her outdoor kitchen to prepare a traditional Guatemalan meal. We’ll share our lunch creation together as we hear Anita’s story of how her cooking school came to be. If time permits and there’s interest, gentle yoga will be offered before dinner.

Day 7

Free Day: We’ll wake up for our morning yoga practice (7am) and breakfast (8:30am). You’ll then have the day to relax or take advantage of other activities the lake area has to offer. In the evening, we’ll have our final yoga practice and closing circle before we share our last dinner.

Day 8

Say goodbye and fly: Following breakfast, we’ll gather our things and say goodbye to our hosts. Around 9:30am, we’ll take the boat back to Panajachel and from there our shuttle will drive the group back to Guatemala City (about 3.5 hours). If you decide you’d like to extend your stay, we will gladly help you with arrangements.

What’s Included

7 nights accommodation (2 in Antigua, 5 at lake)
3 delicious meals most days (see exclusions)
Coffee farm tour w/ guides, lunch, transport & coffee
Mayan cooking class w/ market visit, lunch & boat
Weaving demonstration w/ boat transport
Daily yoga w/ Melissa (1-2 classes per day)
Facilitated reflection circles (some evenings)
Ground transfer Antigua to Panajachel (2.5 hrs)
Ground transfer Panajachel to Guatemala City (3.5 hrs)
Round-trip boat transfer Panajachel – Tzununa (20 min)
Virtual “Meet & Greet” via Zoom
WhatsApp group to connect w/ other travelers
Trip Planning Packet w/ recommendations & checklists
Unlimited filtered water

Not Included:

Airfare to/from Guatemala City International (GUA)
Ground transfer from GUA to Antigua (approx. $50 USD)
1 dinner and 2-3 lunches during free time
Travel insurance – strongly recommended
Gratuities (approx. $50-60 USD in total for retreat staff)
Additional activities, massages, souvenirs, etc.

Accommodations

The photos are room examples. Single Occupancy rooms have ensuite bathrooms & private balconies with volcano views. If you book Shared Occupancy, you’ll share a room with 1 person in Antigua. At the lake, you’ll have a small private room with an attached bathroom, which you’ll share with 1 other person

Single – $2,475.00 / person

Shared – $2,125.00 / person

Join a heartfelt adventure with people who get you.

February 1-8, 2025

1 Spot Open!

For our Cancellation Policy and other FAQs, see the tabs below.

We are dedicated to creating a space where everyone feels welcome and respected, affirming all genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, abilities, ages, and other diverse identities. We ask participants to join us in fostering an environment rooted in equity and respect.

Melissa is the best at balancing enough things to do with the right amount of downtime. I have immensely enjoyed every trip I have been on with Melissa. The introvert/HSP focus is right up my alley, as there is no pressure for participation in group activities. I loved it!

Jennifer M.

Sitting up in bed every morning to look out at Lake Atitlan and the volcanoes was pure magic. I loved connecting with the people at the weaving cooperative, cooking school and children’s library. Melissa creates a welcoming and kind environment with the perfect mix of activity and down time.

Reva K.

As an introvert, this is the first trip I’ve ever been on which met two of my main needs: 1) The ability to connect with people on a deeper level, and 2) The time to think about what I’ve experienced. I didn’t know anyone else in the group – which is always a little nerve wracking, but the group was wonderful.

Katherine B.

Cancellation & Payment Details

Read the full policy and terms in our Yoga International Retreat Agreement before reserving your spot.

Payment Details

– A $500.00 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit is due at the time of booking.
– Total remaining balance must be paid ninety (90) days before retreat start date.

Trip Cancelled by Participant

If you decide to cancel your trip for any reason, the following fees apply at the time we receive written notice of your cancellation.

– All deposits are non-refundable/non-transferable.

– More than 90 days before retreat start date, receive a refund of your retreat payment, excluding your deposit.

– 60-89 days before retreat start date, 75 percent of any payment previously made may be applied to another retreat, excluding your deposit. You will forfeit 25 percent of the price of your retreat. Ex: If your retreat cost is $2500 with a $500 deposit, and you’ve paid in full, $1500 may be applied toward a future retreat.

– 31-59 days before retreat start date, 50 percent of your payment previously made may be applied to another retreat, excluding your deposit. You will forfeit 50 percent of the price of your retreat. Ex: If your retreat cost is $2500 with a $500 deposit, $1000 may be applied toward a future retreat.

– If you cancel 30 days or less before retreat start date, you will forfeit your entire payment.

We are not responsible for any delays or cancellations due to lack of proper travel documents. We strongly recommend you purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover your expenses in the event you must cancel.

Trip Postponed by MNR Retreats, LLC.

We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the itinerary or postpone the retreat where deemed advisable for the safety and well-being of participants. If it is necessary to postpone the retreat due to conditions that may be hazardous such as pandemics, weather, political, or any other reason we deem necessary, we reserve the right to postpone said retreat. In this case, 100 percent of all payments, less any payment processing fees and non-refundable, including but not limited to in-country airline, train, bus, entrance tickets, or permits purchased by us on your behalf for the previous booking, will be applied toward the same retreat on future dates.

We reserve the right to cancel any retreat prior to departure in the event that there are too few people booked in which case you will be given a full refund of your full payment, including your deposit. We strongly encourage and recommend that you purchase your flight after your retreat is confirmed, which will be no more than 90 days days prior to retreat start date.

You will not be entitled to claim any additional amounts or seek any compensation for any injury, loss, expenses or damage, either direct or consequential, or for any loss of time or inconvenience which may result from such cancellation, including but not limited to visa and passport fees and expenses, flights, flight cancellation and reservation fees, and vaccination costs). We strongly encourage and recommend that you purchase travel insurance within two (2) weeks of registering your trip.

Passport & Visa

Please check the visa requirements for your home country. U.S. citizens do not need a visa and are admitted to Guatemala for 90 days. You will need a passport that is valid at the time of entry, and it’s usually best to ensure your passport is valid for six (6) months beyond your stay. If you do not have a current passport, apply right away. Processing times in the U.S. are long and unpredictable. We are not responsible for your lack of proper travel documents.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. We don’t recommend a specific company or policy, but we’ve partnered with InsureMyTrip (affiliate link) as the best option to compare plans. They have thousands of travel insurance plans, as well as a recommendation engine to help travelers find the right plan. They will also provide support before, during, and after your trip if you should need anything, including help with a claim.

We recommend “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage, which will cover most trip expenses in the event you are unable or choose not to attend for any reason. CFAR insurance typically reimburses 50 or 75 percent of your trip cost if you need to cancel for reasons not otherwise covered and requires the following conditions:

Purchase the policy within 14-21 days of first trip payment.
Insure all prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses prior to departure.
Cancel more than 48-72 hours prior to your departure date.

Read the policy terms. If you miss the window for CFAR coverage, you can still buy other policies that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, and medical treatment.

Getting There & Away

You will fly into La Aurora (Guatemala City) International Airport (GUA).

Arrival – Guatemala City to Antigua: You are responsible for the scheduling and cost of your arrival transfer with the Hotel Las Farolas. A contact and cost for this service will be provided in your planning packet, which we’ll send to you around mid-2024. The cost will be around $45-50 USD for this one-way transfer.

Our hotel check-in is at 3:00 p.m., but plan your flight to arrive no later than 12:00 p.m. on Day 1.

If possible, plan for a morning arrival. Traffic tends to worsen around 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays. A 1-hr drive can turn into 2-2.5 hours. If you arrive early, you can leave your luggage with the front desk and wander around Antigua.

While we will not officially meet as a group until 5:00, please do not cut your flight arrival close. If you are delayed, this affects the schedule for the whole group.

Antigua to Lake Atitlan Transfer: This private group transfer (2.5 hrs) on Day 3 is included in your trip package.

Return – Lake Atitlan to Guatemala: This private group transfer (boat – 20 min, van – 3.5 hrs) on Day 8 is included in your trip package. We will depart the retreat center at 9:30 a.m. on our final day with a packed lunch. We will need to take the boat across the lake and then have a 3.5 hour drive. We should get to Guatemala City around 2:00/2:30 p.m., but we recommend you plan your return flight to depart after 6:00 p.m. to be safe. If you need to stay in Guatemala City, we recommend Hotel Villa Toscana, which is situated just 1km from the airport. This is a small hotel with a limited number of rooms, so secure your room soon.

Weather

Both Antigua and Lake Atitlan are situated at about 1500 meters (5000 feet) above sea level. The dry season in Guatemala runs from November to May. The region enjoys a temperate climate most of the year, but February can be cooler with temps in the 70s Fahrenheit during the day and evenings in the 60s.