Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
9 Feb 2025
Reply rate
79.0 %
Usually responds within 10 days
Feedback
13
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are a retreat and wellness center located in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. We are dedicated to rejuvenating holistic practices and healing modalities as well as preserving Mayan traditions and facilitating outdoor adventure in the heart of the Altiplano. Majestically located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, we offer custom-designed all-inclusive services, to personal, group and family retreats.
With a local staff of over 30 employees, we rent our space and offer hotel and restaurant services to retreat leaders and their participants. Our high season is from November to April.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This is an opportunity to enjoy the slower life of a retreat center on the lake, learn about local Mayan culture and cosmology, deepen any practices you are currently cultivating, enjoy the wonderful meals served at our center, take advantage of our hot-tubs, studios and other amenities, and engage with local communities here on the lake. Volunteers can learn Spanish, study Kaqchikel, enjoy the spectacular landscape and visit the twelve villages surrounding the lake.
Help
We will consider hosting a photographer/videographer to assist us with developing our content and the use of social media in alignment with our branding. Volunteers must provide a portfolio in advance and come with quality equipment. Please check out our Instagram in advance for a feel of our style and brand.
We will consider volunteers to support our admin team starting in October. Admin volunteers support our front desk reception team with administrative tasks, appointment scheduling and engaging with guests while supporting excellent customer service.
We are looking for mature travelers who have the ability to manage themselves, act responsibly, listen attentively to instructions, maintain a peaceful presence and align with our workflow and values. We appreciate professional experience and professional behavior at all times, especially with our guests. We request that volunteers track their own hours and complete assignments on set deadlines. We offer a one week trial for starting volunteers.
--We receive many volunteer inquiries, and our small administrative team cannot respond to all of them. We apologize in advance if we do not get back to you right away.--
During our low season (June-September) we will not be looking for volunteers.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
On-site guest room and three meals per day in exchange for (25 hours/week) 5 hours of work per day, five days per week. Your guest room may be shared with another volunteer. You may also be asked to move rooms, depending on the needs of the center.
What else ...
This large endorheic lake (one that does not flow to the sea) is the deepest lake in Central America with a maximum depth of 1,120 feet (340 meters). The local people speak of a 50-75-year cycle during which the level of the lake water fluctuates dramatically. For this reason, the Maya have strategically built their pueblos far above the lakeshore.
There are 12 villages around the lake. Each village has its own distinctive style, revealed through the traditional dress of the women. This clothing is called traje. The women’s huipíles, or tops, are ceremoniously changed each New Year to reflect the evolving fashion of the Mayan women. Most men now wear western clothing, but if you walk around town, you will undoubtedly spot one or two dressed in the traje of his pueblo. The two Mayan dialects spoken on Lake Atitlán are Kaqchikel and Tzutujil.
The lake’s landscape features three volcanoes. Facing the lake from our place, to the far right sits the oldest volcano, San Pedro, rising to 9,908 feet (3,020 meters). Directly in front of the Villa are two volcanoes, although they often appear to be only one. In front is Tolimán, standing at 10, 361 feet (158 meters) and behind Tolimán looms the youngest volcano, Atitlán, at a height 11,605 feet (3,537 meters). Volcán Atitlán is the only one of the three believed to still be active, though its last eruption occurred in 1853. Most of the year, the volcanoes are clearly visible in their supreme grandeur.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (10)
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.4)
Communication:
(4.5)
Due to my unpredictable schedules, I could stay only for 5 days. But these 5 days were equivalent to 50 days of experience.
Brienne and Wendy welcomed me and showed me around the Villa. Mark my words; the place is magical. I fell in love as soon I arrived.
Work: 5/5. My job was to photograph their events and the… read more
The local and international stuff was very friendly and helpful. The tasks were diverse and interesting.
In exchange you get much more than just a bed and amazing, healthy food: you can stay… read more
Isabelle edited a 16-minute video for our center and left a folder of beautiful photographs for us to use in the future. We would… read more
The guest and workers are inspiring in all they do and everything you do is an help to make this place even… read more
