Welcome Packet- Forest Path Immersion in Guatemala
LOCATION: CASA FLORESTA, LAKE ATITLÁN, GUATEMALA
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 & PASAJCAP RENTAL
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 may not be present to welcome you before 2.30pm.
Off-site Accommodation options are ONLY for local residents within our community. We can not allow you to walk after ceremonies into town to an accommodation- it is not safe to do so. You may book an Airbnb in Pasajcap area as long as you know it is within 5 minute walk from Casa Floresta (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; 3.30-4PM
For all participants (including those with their own offsite accommodation) please arrive between 3.30-4pm to Casa Floresta Temple for us to begin our orientation together at 4pm.
FOR OFFSITE PARTICIPANTS - PLEASE TRY TO BRING ONLY A SMALL BACKPACK WITH YOU AS WE HAVE LIMITED SPACE FOR LUGGAGE
We have a cold outdoor shower at Casa Floresta also, and recommend you enjoy swimming and relaxing by the lake during your time with us.
See cancellation/transfer policies here.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Comfortable clothing for between ceremonies, also some ideal for yoga or movement
- Ceremonial white or light coloured clothes
- Bathing suit for swimming & sauna
- Sarong/towel for lake/outdoor showering
- Toothbrush, toothpaste & soap (natural please for all lakefront properties)
- Headlamp/ flashlight
- Natural insect repellent & itch soothing cream (if you are prone to bites)
- Sunhat & sunscreen (natural)
- Sweater/ wrap/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
- Eye mask and ear plugs for rest, sleep and naps
- A white candle in a glass
- Flowers for the altar
PACK LIGHT TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF CASES STORED AT CASA FLORESTA - TRY TO BRING A BACKPACK ONLY!
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 8am sharp (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/Casa Colibri, Pasajcap (tell the driver next to Casa Colibri, Pasajcap if they do not know it) between 2-3pm. If you have booked shared accommodation, please go directly to Casa Colibri and settle in to your room (the manager will be there to show you). Please arrive or come next door to Casa Floresta between 3.30-4pm. We aim to begin our orientation and commencement of the retreat at 4pm.
TRANSPORT CONTACTS:
Private Cars to/from Airport/ City/ Antigua)
Martha; WhatsApp +50230730413
Private boats to/from Pana)
Esteban: WhatsApp +50245982482
SCHEDULE:
Immersion Schedule:
Day 1 - Arrival 4pm, Orientation 4-5pm, Ceremony 5-11pm
Day 2 - Light Breakfast 9am, Relax/ Swim, Brunch 11.30am, Rest 1-4pm, , Ceremony 5-12pm
Day 3 - Light Breakfast 9am, Sauna & Plant bath 9.30-11am, Brunch 11.30am, Rest 1-4pm, Ceremony 5-12pm
Day 4 - Light Breakfast 9am, Gentle Movement/ Yoga Class 9.30-11am, Brunch 11.30am, Integration Circle 1-3pm, Sauna & Plant Baths 3-5pm, Dinner 5pm
Day 5 - Breakfast 9.00am, Departure 10.30am
Departure Day:
We will offer a continental breakfast together on the departure morning at 9am. We will officially close the space the day prior after our Integration Circle before dinner.
Schedule your flight out of Guatemala either in the late afternoon/evening (after 6 pm) of the last day of the Immersion (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.
RETREAT PREPARATION
Please see our Preparation, How to Participate and Integration pages for more information about the Forest Path ceremonial experience. If you are taking any medications, or have a psychiatric diagnosis, please email us.
We also offer Preparation and Integration sessions with our Integration coach Isis Lakshmi if you would like more support for your journey.
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
We will have a unique WhatsApp group for each Immersion that will become active 10 days or so prior to the Immersion commencing, you will be emailed a link to join.
If you have any other questions or concerns about preparing for your immersion, you can email us at info@forestpath.co.