Welcome Packet- Realisation Retreat with Jaya
LOCATION: CASA FLORESTA, LAKE ATITLÁN, GUATEMALA
Welcome! We are excited you are here.
Lake Atitlán is one of the natural wonders of the world. Casa Floresta is located lakeside in Pasajcap, between San Marcos La Laguna and Tzununa, directly next to the well known Casa Colibri.
For arrival, please take the public boat service from San Marcos or Tzununa, simply ask the boat driver for Casa Floresta, Pasajcap, the cost is Q10 from either town (best to have small change, and sit at the front of the boat). If the boat driver does not know the house, please say next to Casa Colibri, Pasajcap. See map location here.
ACCOMMODATIONS: CASA COLIBRI & AURORA
Both Casa Colibri and Casitas Aurora offer comfortable accommodations and bathrooms. Casa Colibri properties operate on solar hot water (which at times can therefore be limited in). Please know that we will send a Rooming List outlining which accommodation you will be staying at a few days before the retreat. Both Casa Colibri and Casitas Aurora are adjacent to Casa Floresta.
For those staying at Casa Colibri, please arrive directly between 2.30-3.30pm with your luggage to the Casa Colibri dock (next door to Casa Floresta). The manager (either Genevieve or Christian) will be there to greet you and show you to your assigned room.
For those staying at Casitas Aurora or Casa El Amate, please arrive directly between 2.30-3.30pm with your luggage to the Casa Floresta dock, and manager Paula will show you to your space.
Please do not arrive earlier than this as managers will not be present to welcome you before 2.30pm.
*Offsite accommodations are for local residents, or for those preferring to find their own accommodation. A boat will be arranged to return in the evening (driver to be paid directly by participants-up to Q150 per town drop off). You may book an Airbnb in Pasajcap area as well (ideally along the lakefront only - the road is not safe to walk late at night). We can recommend these Airbnb options; Luzmi’s Eco Cottage, Eco Cabin and Eco Studio, or Eric’s La Casa at Vistas de Pasajcap and Studio Sol y Luna, as more economical options, and all a safe 5-10 minute lakefront walk away.
ARRIVAL TO CASA FLORESTA TEMPLE BETWEEN 3.30-4PM
For all participants; please arrive between 3.30-4pm to Casa Floresta Temple for us to begin at 4:00pm with an overview, opening talk and instruction for the week.
See cancellation/transfer policies here.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Comfortable clothing
- Bathing suit for swimming & sauna
- Sarong/towel for lake/outdoor showering
- Toothbrush, toothpaste & soap (natural)
- Natural insect repellent & itch soothing cream (if you are prone to bites)
- Sunhat & sunscreen (natural)
- Blankets/shawl to keep warm - it's nice to have layers so you can be comfortable when temperatures shift
- Reusable water bottle
- Journal and pen
- Instruments if you wish to share music
- Sacred objects for your own altar if you wish
- Healthy, natural snacks if you feel you may need something between meals
WEATHER:
Weather in San Marcos La Laguna is usually very mild. Most days the temperature is around 17-24 degrees Celsius, however due to the altitude here at Lake Atitlån (1500m), nights can be as low as 8 degrees.
Guatemala has a dry season (November to April) and a wet season (May- October) each year. July and August are often also dry with a break in the rains. Please pack accordingly for stays during the wet season.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
Make your flight arrangement: Plan to arrive into Guatemala City Aurora (code GUA) International airport. From there, please keep in mind that it is still a half day journey to Lake Atitlán, so be sure to arrange a flight to arrive one day prior to the day the training program begins. If you arrive the day before, you have a few options:
Option 1 PRIVATE TRANSPORT: You can arrange private transport from the airport to Panajachel with Martha Herrera via WhatsApp +50230730413. She will connect you with a driver, send you their ID and car registration for your safety and be monitoring your travel. She is highly recommended. She can also arrange a private boat for you from Panajachel to Casa Floresta directly. From Pana, the option for you is to either take the public lancha (boat) to Casa Floresta (Q25, 45mins) or a private boat (Q250, 15 mins). You will pay the car and boat drivers directly.
Option 2 SHARED TRANSPORT: From the airport take a shuttle straight to Antigua Guatemala (they leave every hour) and stay in a hostel/ hotel in Antigua for the night (see recommendations below). Antigua has great restaurants, markets, nightlife and is a safe tourist town. From there, take a collective shuttle for the earliest departure the next morning at 8 or 9am (arrange at any travel agency the night prior - they are everywhere) and begin your journey to either Panajachel or San Marcos la Laguna on the lake in order to arrive by 1pm. We are a 2 minute boat ride from San Marcos, and a 45 public minute boat ride from Panajachel.
Arrival Day: Please aim to be on a boat to Casa Floresta, Pasajcap between 2.30-3.30pm. Please arrive to Casa Floresta between 3.30-4pm. We aim to begin our orientation and commencement of the retreat at 4:30pm.
TRANSPORT CONTACTS:
Private Cars to/from Airport/ City/ Antigua)
Martha; WhatsApp +50230730413
Private boats to/from Pana)
Esteban: WhatsApp +50245982482
Retreat Schedule:
*Arrival is between 3.30-4 pm to the Temple Courtyard in order to begin at 4:00pm with an overview, opening talk and instruction for the week.
6:00am — Meditation Hall Open for Self-Guided sitting/stretching
8:00am — Group Meditation
8:40 am — Resonant Breathing
9:15 am — Light Breakfast Break
10:00 am — Sitting Meditation, Walking Meditation
11:30 am — Brunch & Free Time
2:00 pm — Sitting Meditation, Walking Meditation
3:00pm — Break & Snack
3:30pm — Guided Meditation
4:30 pm — Discussion, Q & A
6:00 pm — Dinner
7:30 pm — Meditation/Breathing/Nidra
*Departure will be Monday morning at 10.30 am
All days will be in Silence
Departure Day:
Departure will be after a 9.30am breakfast on the final day, around 10.30am. Accommodations must be vacated by 11am.
Schedule your flight out of Guatemala either in the late afternoon/evening (after 6 pm) of the last day (Private transport would be necessary to arrive in time), or stay a day or two extra around the lake or explore Antigua.
There are collective shuttles leaving San Marcos each day at 2.30pm for Antigua, arriving around 6pm, spend a nice night or two exploring Antigua and then take a collective shuttle back to the airport for your flight. There are also shuttles leaving Panajachel at 12pm and 4pm each day for Antigua and the City.
HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS NEAR AIRPORT:
Hyatt Centric, Westin, Hotel Dos Lunas, Hostel Villa Toscana, Mariana's Petit Hotel
TRAVEL PREPARATION (VISA & VACCINES):
Your Guatemalan Tourist Visa (valid for 90 days) will be given to you at immigration once you've arrived in Guatemala. Depending on your nationality you may need a return flight out of the country to be presented at check in for your flight.
No inoculations are required to enter Guatemala, but it is always best to talk to your doctor and check out the Center for Disease Control website for information about recommended vaccinations.
WHATSAPP GROUP
If you are already in San Marcos or plan to be in the area prior to ceremony please join the Casa Floresta Events WhatsApp group to be able to visit our Temple for many beautiful offerings rotating all the time such as Sound Ceremony, Yoga, Breathwork, Sacred Sweats etc; https://chat.whatsapp.com/L1dq0fPXrZy6tWXRldHaV3
If you have any other questions or concerns about preparing for your immersion, you can email us at info@forestpath.co.