2025 GUATEMALA YOGA RETREAT: RESTORE AND EXPLORE

with INGRID A. MARCROFT and STEPHAN W. KOLBERT

Saturday – Saturday, February 22 – March 1, 2025

(plus optional overnight in Antigua, February 21)

WE HAVE ONE DOUBLE ROOM LEFT!

When we first visited Lake Atitlan in 2015, we were stunned by the beauty and quiet of the lake, accentuated by three picturesque volcanos on the far shore. We knew instantly we’d return and our 2020 trip was equally extraordinary. The time has come again, and we are thrilled to show you this heaven on earth.

Our home for the week is at the beautiful retreat center of Villa Sumaya in Santa Cruz La Laguna along Lake Atitlan’s shoreline, reachable only by boat. The profound calm of the setting invites you to rest deeply. The Mayan people believe that Lake Atitlan is their birthplace and it is often referred to as the most beautiful lake in the world. In 2001, our host, Wendy, conceived an extraordinary facility for holistic health, deep restoration, exploration, and self-inquiry. The property is so beautiful that it’s hard to leave, but if you are looking to swim, kayak, hike, go birding, or discover the local artisans, there are plenty of options. The spa/wellness services and numerous hammocks also await! Our favorite activities include walking along the shoreline, relaxing on the dock in the sun, swimming in the lake or dipping in the pool, and enjoying the solar hot tub.

Whether you have a longtime yoga practice or are a yoga newbie, this retreat is an invitation for you to deepen your practice, connect within, visit with old and new friends, or simply relax. We honor that this is also your vacation! We’ll offer a foundations practice (with a chair option if needed) and an amplified practice each day, along with restorative practice and morning meditation. All classes will be led by either Ingrid and/or Stephan and will be crafted to meet the students’ needs. Discover how a week of daily yoga and meditation brings your practice and your life to a deeper level of inquiry and joy. Many lasting friendships are made on these journeys!

Many ask us if Guatemala is safe for travelers. We have only had the most wonderful experiences here! You are safely shuttled from the airport to all the places you need to go. We will also help coordinate your flights and transfers with other students who are attending this retreat. Trust us: If a place requires a plane, a car/shuttle bus or two, a boat ride, and even an in-between overnight, IT IS WORTH IT!! : )

OUR YOGA RETREAT INCLUDES:

• 7 nights accommodations (check in 3pm, check out 11am)

• 3 gourmet vegetarian meals per day (vegan & gluten-free options at all meals; chicken or fish is available for lunch or dinner, requested ahead of time with an $8.50 charge per person per meal)

• daily yoga and meditation sessions

• 1 hour-long massage

• Boat excursion to San Juan La Laguna and a women’s textile cooperative

• Free time to explore, hike, swim, lounge, read, connect, sleep, kayak, and just be…

• All resort taxes & gratuities (except for massage tips and personal indulgences)  

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Flights and airport transfers (more on shuttles below).

• Additional excursions, massages, treatments, splurges at the awesome boutique, etc.

IMPORTANT! ARRIVING AT VILLA SUMAYA TAKES SOME TIME-RELATED PLANNING:

To take you to Villa Sumaya in San Juan La Laguna, a water taxi leaves from the lakefront town of Panajachel, which is around 3 hours away from the La Aurora (GUA) airport. The last water taxi leaves at 7pm. Since most flights into GUA arrive in the afternoon, and the ride to Panajachel takes so long, it is possible that you would miss the water taxi to Villa Sumaya.

We highly recommend flying into Guatemala City (GUA) on Friday 2/21 (or even Thursday 2/20) and shuttling to the picturesque colonial town of Antigua, just one hour away, which is what we did in 2015 and 2020. This would give you a sweet moment of time to explore this beautiful town and its museums, art, textiles, and eateries.

There is a non-stop Jet Blue flight from JFK that we highly recommend all East Coast folks get on — it leaves JFK at 10:30am and arrives in Guatemala City at 2:48pm. As of September 22, 2024, it is a $415 round trip. If we all take this flight on Friday (Ingrid & Stephan will be on this flight), the whole process is much easier and we can all take a shuttle to Antigua, find our hotels, enjoy this special town, have dinner together, and then leave together for Villa Sumaya on Saturday a little after noon. If you take that same flight on Saturday, there is a chance that you miss the water taxi in Panajachel and need to stay there overnight. There are some accommodations there, but none as beautiful as Antigua.

We’ll be staying near Antigua’s central park, Parque Central, which is at 4 Avenida Norte. Please find a hotel close by, as we will need to gather for a shuttle pickup on Saturday after lunch. Talk with us about your choice! You can find hotels with booking.com, expedia.com, etc.

Villa Sumaya recommends this hotel near the Guatemala City airport, if you prefer to stay in the city: https://www.barcelo.com/en-ww/barcelo-guatemala-city/

ACCOMMODATIONS: (All resort taxes & gratuities are included. No hidden costs!)

Single rooms are very limited. Please consider rooming with a friend (old or new!). Our international retreats typically sell out quickly. Carpe diem!

All prices are per person (pp).

These are Early Bird Prices! *** ALL PRICES INCREASE BY $200 ON NOVEMBER 1, 2024. ***

Ginger Suites: These rooms require a varying amount of steps, but not as many as the Bungalows and, rest assured, they are worth it!  [Triple $2,050/pp SOLD OUT], Double $2,190/pp, Single $2,600

Junior Ginger Suites: These rooms are the slightly smaller Ginger Suites, with some fun steps for your view! [Triple $1,950/pp SOLD OUT], Double $2,090/pp, Single $2,500

Maya Rose: These are the original (now renovated) rooms on the property and are set on the same level as the yoga space and the dining area. They are lovely, and best for people who prefer fewer stairs throughout the day, since much of the property is on a steep hillside. Double $1,990/pp, Single $2,400

Bungalows: The Bungalows are more secluded, sitting up on the hillside at the edge of the property. They boast panoramic views and are a bit of a (very worthwhile) climb. Double $1,990/pp, Single $2,400

A $500 non-refundable deposit will hold your room.

Final balances must be paid by November 30, 2024.

PAYMENT: You may pay by Zelle, cash, check, or money order. Credit card payments carry an additional 3.5% charge. Zelle info given by email.

SHUTTLES: Shuttles and boat rides will be charged directly to your Villa Sumaya bill, to be paid upon checkout (cash tips are welcomed in US$ or Guatemalan Quetzal, GTQ (1 GTQ = .13 US$).

Guatemala City to/from Panajachel (boat dock) (around 3 hours): 1-2pp, $125. 3pp, $45 each. 4pp, $40 each. 5+pp, $35 each.

Guatemala City to Antigua (around 1 hour): 1pp: $45. 2pp: $35 each. 3-4pp, $25 each. 5+pp, $20 each.

Antigua to/from Panajachel (boat dock) (around 2 hours): 1-2pp, $115. 3pp, $40 each. 4pp, $35 each. 5+pp, $25 each.

Boat to/from Panajachel (boat dock): 1-4pp, $30 total. 5+pp, $7 per person. (The boat driver coordinates with shuttle driver for timing.)

CANCELLATIONS made before December 1, 2024, will receive a refund of 50% of monies paid, unless you find a replacement for yourself. Cancellations made after December 1, 2024, are non-refundable unless you find a replacement for yourself. Any bookings made after November 30, 2024, providing room availability, must be paid in full at time of booking.  

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Since last-minute emergencies do happen, WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND travel insurance. Check out covertrip.com, which gives an overview of travel insurance needs and offers a company quote review option. They also have travel medical insurance in the case of injury abroad. 

REGISTER: Email Ingrid and Stephan at info@uwsyoga.com to ask questions or to sign up today!

Stephan W. Kolbert and Ingrid A. Marcroft are spouses, parents, and business partners (co-founders and owners of Upper West Side Yoga and Wellness in NYC, uwsyoga.com). They are both E-RYT 500s and Urban Zen Integrative Therapists, and Ingrid is also a Reiki Master, Ordained Interfaith Minister, and Feng Shui consultant. Stephan was a Senior Teacher with the Lineage Project for 8 years, as well as a Kindergarten Teacher, Outdoor Educator, and Actor. Together and independently, they have traveled in and explored over 40 countries and have spent over 30 years working with diverse populations (with yoga and in previous careers) from the homeless, incarcerated, hospitalized, or dying, to those on the opposite end of the spectrum. They have also both been tour leaders and love to share traveling with others!