Mayan Sauna, Ice Bath and Yoga Day Retreats in the Antigua Highlands

The Treehouse Spa is set in forest next to the jungle ice baths and the Temazcal, so you can move between heat, cold and massage without leaving the property. The Temazcal is a traditional Mayan dry sauna using aromatic herbs; you can add steam to increase the heat. The ice bath is an intermediate session and comes with 125 lbs of ice included. Towels, sauna aromatics and access to the spa shower facilities are provided with the packages.

Sessions run on a fixed daily window. The Temazcal and ice baths are available 8am-8pm, with at least one hour's advance booking and pre-payment. Massages run 8am-5pm, with at least two hours' advance booking and pre-payment. If you arrive late for a massage, it will be shorter than the full hour or 90 minutes. After-hour massages may be possible depending on therapist availability and cost an extra Q100.

What separates this from a standard spa day is the setting and the range of treatments. The property has a 130-degree volcano view and more than 350 organic avocado trees, and the menu runs from a Mayan cacao ceremony and Mayan fire ceremony to aerials classes, guided hikes of two or four hours, couples massage, hot stone massage and medical massage. The kitchen is currently closed for renovations; the lodge reopens on 10 October, and you can pre-book wellness treatments or activities starting from that date by emailing earthlodge@gmail.com.

Prices are in Guatemalan quetzales. The Mayan Massage Package is Q775 for a 60-minute massage or Q1075 for 90 minutes. Fire & Ice is Q550. The Lymphatic Cleanse Package is Q1125. The Signature Earth Lodge Package is Q650. The Day Retreat Package is Q1300. A la carte offerings are also available if you would rather build your own combination.

Cancellations are non-refundable if made less than 24 hours before your appointment, and pre-payment is required for everything. The lodge has a 4.6 Google rating based on more than 1,000 reviews. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.

What's included

- Temazcal (Mayan Sauna) session - Jungle ice bath session (125 lbs of ice included) - Yoga class at 9am - Massage (60 or 90 minutes, depending on package) - Mayan cacao - Signature Blend Detox Tea - Detox tea with lemongrass (Lymphatic Cleanse Package) - Jade and green clay face mask treatment (Day Retreat Package) - Towels and sauna aromatics - Access to spa shower facilities

What's not included

- Accommodation, unless booked separately - Meals and snacks - Additional a la carte treatments - Black sea salt body scrub (available at the gift shop) - After-hour massage surcharge of Q100, if applicable - Transport to and from Earth Lodge