Lake Atitlan
Travel & Schedule
Travel Planning
Please plan your FLIGHTS to/from Guatemala City (GUA). We will collect your flight details and group attendees together to share private shuttles to Panajachel. From Panajachel, there is a short boat ride to the Villa Sumaya Dock. The private shuttle and boat ride are included in your price, valued at $290, and will be waiting for you after you land.
Taking into account a 3 hour car ride and 20 minute boat ride from Guatemala City to Villa Sumaya, we suggest the below arrival/departure dates and times. Options are also available for transportation to/from Antigua airport, which is a slightly shorter journey.
Arrival to GUA prior to 4pm on Saturday, start of trip
Departing GUA anytime after 1pm on Saturday, last day of trip
A valid passport is mandatory to enter Guatemala. Visitors from the USA do not need visas. You will automatically receive a 90-day tourist visa upon entry.
Schedule
KAYAK PADDLE & CLIFF JUMP
You’ll begin from the Villa Sumaya dock and paddle for about 30 minutes to a special cliffjumping spot (with jumps from 3-30 feet above the lake - completely optional) and swimming area. If your group prefers to paddle only, you can skip the cliff jumping. Either kayak back to Villa Sumaya or kayak to the Adventure Center and take a 30-minute lakefront walk back to Villa Sumaya. Length of excursion is approximately 4 hours.
SANTIAGO ATITLAN EXCURSION
The tour begins with a scenic boat ride across the lake to Santiago. Visit Maximon, the patron saint and mysterious Mayan spiritual figurehead of Santiago. See a variety of primitive paintings, beadwork and handcrafted woodwork as you visit the fascinating historic sites of Santiago. This tour offers a rare and fascinating insight into this proudly independent village and the life of the modern Maya. Private guide will lead us for 4-5 hours.
MAYAN FIRE CEREMONY
A Mayan spiritual guide will share a traditional Mayan Day Count Fire Ceremony. You will be encouraged to participate in this interactive earth-work ceremony. This ritual includes foundational teachings about the Mayan calendar day count and the co-creation of the sacred fire. In this colorful custom, you’ll use chocolate, candles, cinnamon, myrrh, copal (tree resin) and the appropriate herbs to honor the energies of each day in the Mayan calendar. Those interested are encouraged to inquire in advance about booking a 15-minute personal reading with the spiritual guide which would take place after the ceremony. This ceremony lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
What to Bring
Clothing
A hat for sun and for chilly nights (we will be at high altitudes of close to 5,000 feet)
A bathing suit, and a cover-up or sarong
Sunglasses
A windbreaker or raincoat
Layers for cool mornings and evenings
Warm weather clothing for sun protection
A shawl, sweatshirt, poncho or fleece (one warm thing for cold mornings and evenings)
Sunscreen and lip balm
A flashlight (we sell eco-flashlights in our store)
Insect repellent
Walking shoes or sport sandals
Health
Homeopathic remedies
Nutribiotic (grapefruit seed extract) tablets–these come highly recommended and can help bad travelers’ stomachs
Vitamins/energy drinks
Dramamine (for car sickness) for the winding roads to Panajachel
Any prescriptions
Eyeglasses
Feminine hygiene products
Food and other comforts
Decaf coffee, decaf black tea, or other special teas if desired — there is no decaf in Guatemala
Clocks and hair dryers
Laptops–wireless is available in most of our center for a daily or weekly fee. Limited uploading and downloading permitted.
Any other items that will make you feel at home such as iPad, headphones
A snack for airplane and shuttle ride to hotel (3 hours)
Books and magazines (the center loves donations for the guest library)
A current passport, airplane tickets, and other form of ID (bringing a photocopy of these is recommended)
Personal checks, cash, or travelers checks to pay for incidentals and spa treatments are preferred. Credit cards have an 8% fee.
To Secure Your Spot: pay a non-refundable $500 deposit via the Sarah Dippen Yoga website. Once registered by deposit made, unless other arrangements are requested, the balance will be broken down into equal monthly payments leading up to final balance due date. Final balances are due by XXXX.
Refunds and Cancellations: Deposit is non-refundable. If you wish to cancel your booking you must notify Sarah Dippen Yoga in writing. No refunds after XXXX. Due to arrangements made with our travel agency, there can be no exceptions to this policy. Refunds will incur a 10% processing fee.
We recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage; insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to to weather & travel delays, personal property loss and emergency travel medical.
