Lake Atitlan Wellness and Yoga Retreat in Guatemala

Villa Sumaya operates differently from a fixed-date retreat. Group retreats come and go throughout the year — many are yoga retreats, but there are also pole dancing retreats and other types of groups. Alongside them, the centre always accepts personal retreats. That means you pick your own dates and length of stay, choose whether to include all meals, and add on yoga classes, spa treatments, acupuncture, or other wellness services as you like. The common thread is wellness, but what that looks like is up to you.

Rooms are scattered across the sloping hill that rises from the lake. There are rooms in house structures and stand-alone villas. Most have a view — the way the hill rises means you can see the lake from almost anywhere. Rooms come with comfortable beds, armoires, desks, and balconies with chairs and small tables. Bathrooms are large and modern, with refillable shower products and a system for separating plastic and paper for sustainable building projects.

The grounds are huge and worth exploring. You can hike up near where they farm ingredients for the on-site restaurant and get panoramic views. There are sitting areas and mini patios all over, a solar-powered hot tub, hammocks, flat grassy areas, and lush jungle sections. Even when a group is on site, you can find your own space.

Meals are vegetarian and healthy. Most packages include three meals a day. When a group is present, meals are buffet-style — fresh, well-prepared, and rotated so you are not eating the same thing twice in a week. Gluten-free and vegan options are always available. You can switch to chicken or fish for an additional fee if you request it ahead of time. There is a 24-hour self-service bar with unlimited local organic coffee, organic teas, and water. The dining room has giant windows on all sides looking out at the lake and gardens, and most tables are large to encourage conversation.

Yoga classes are taught by a few different teachers in different styles. Ayurveda Yoga is one option, taught by Dee Leborgne. Classes include breath work, internal work, visualisation, and challenging physical portions. There are two temples on site for yoga and meditation, both spacious with lake views. If a group is using one, the other is usually available for personal practice. Other wellness services include Swedish, Thai, Reiki, reflexology, energy healing, acupuncture, and meditation instruction. There is a complimentary solar-powered hot tub, and you can reserve the electric sauna or book a sweat ceremony in the lakefront sauna for an additional fee.

The location is peaceful but not isolated. You can walk 15–20 minutes along a lakeside path to Santa Cruz, or catch a boat taxi from the retreat's dock to any of the 11 traditional villages along Lake Atitlan — San Pedro, San Juan La Laguna, San Marcos, Santiago, and others. Guided hikes, a hike up the San Pedro volcano, and trips to the Chichicastenango market can be arranged. On-site you can kayak, swim, and birdwatch.

What's included

- Accommodation in rooms or villas (varies by package) - Most packages include 3 vegetarian meals per day - Gluten-free and vegan options at meals - 24-hour self-service bar with local organic coffee, organic teas, and water - Access to two yoga temples and other yoga/group spaces - Complimentary solar-powered hot tub - Access to grounds, hiking trails, hammocks, and common areas - Kayaks, swimming, and birdwatching on-site - Yoga classes (depending on package and teacher availability) - Spa services such as Swedish, Thai, Reiki, reflexology, energy healing, acupuncture, and meditation instruction (depending on package)

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Airport transfers - Alcoholic beverages - Chicken or fish meal upgrades (additional fee) - Electric sauna reservation (additional fee) - Sweat ceremony in lakefront sauna (additional fee) - Additional spa treatments beyond package - Guided hikes and excursions - Boat taxis to villages - Personal expenses