About Kawoq Forest

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
San Marcos la Laguna is a small Mayan village on Lake Atitlán in the western highlands of Guatemala. It has become a Mecca for international travelers attracted by its beauty, tranquility and diverse options for spiritual exploration and therapy. Terraced into the side of a cliff, The Yoga Forest is a twenty five minute hike up into the valley from Lake Atitlán, To escape to our lush tropical food forest please travel to us with a backpack, organic soaps, a head torch and a spirit of adventure.

Meals

Menu Types

We serve local organic produce whenever is possible and prepare our delicious vegetarian meal with love. We can cater to certain dietary restrictions, such as vegan and gluten free. Please advise management of your needs as well as any allergies.

Getting Here

Location icon Kawoq Forest, Central America, San Marcos La Laguna, Solola, Guatemala

Directions

Travel Tips: Morning Travel Recommended: Book your flight to arrive in Guatemala City, then take a direct shuttle to Antigua. Please arrange to take an 8-9am collective shuttle (Q100) from Antigua to San Marcos la Laguna in order to get you to town in the morning or very early afternoon. We offer a daily escort service from San Marcos la Laguna to The Yoga Forest promptly at 2PM. Be sure to arrive in San Marcos la Laguna with plenty of time to locate Circles Cafe before the escort service arrives. We also can arrange a private shuttle to pick you up from Guatemala City Airport to San Marcos La Laguna. Our driver will be waiting at the airport with a sign with your name on it. The ride directly from the GUA to San Marcos is approximately 4 hours. Please plan your travels accordingly, either spending a night in Antigua to make a morning shuttle, or stay in San Marcos la Laguna a night early. For your safety, LATE ARRIVALS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

Customer Reviews

4.77 out of 5.0 average rating

4.0
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Relaxing and beautiful yoga retreat set in the Guatemalan jungle.
I stayed at Kawok Forest for three nights and did a personal retreat. I stayed in one of their bungalow private rooms, which was very comfortable and had spectacular views of Lake Atitlan and surrounding volcanoes. I honestly could have sat and watched the view alone for hours it was extremely relaxing. The yoga classes were varied and challenging in different ways. I really appreciated the diversity of teachers and what they brought to my own personal practice. There is a great level of education amongst the teachers and I really feel like I improved in a lot of ways in my practice.

The food was excellent! Prepared by local Mayan/Guatemalan ladies each day. I always felt full and nourished after each meal and everything was extremely fresh and healthy. My only complaint is that dinner was served extremely early at 5pm. If you're not used to this or you get hungry later in the evenings- bring snacks and things to eat throughout the day as meals are only served at 10am and 5pm. They have a few things to purchase on top such as protein balls and smoothies but can be pricey.

The only reason I did not give five stars is because I feel having to pay for additional and typically free amenities was a little absurd such as: connection to wifi being $10 per 3 days, luggage portage, and any trips into town. I questioned the wifi and was told everybody should disconnect during their stay but sometimes that is not feasible as a traveller you may need to connect to wifi to plan further travels, book ferries, contact loved ones etc. Also the retreat is located on the side of a cliff up a mountain I think helping with your bags is a fair trade for hiking to your accommodation. Just thought they should keep that in mind when you compare prices with other accommodation on the Lake.

5.0
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Amazing
My stay at Kawoq Forest was so nice. This place has a real magic to it. The view of the lake is incredible and the yoga classes are special. The accommodations are very cozy and enjoyable as well. The food is prepared by a wonderful team of local Guatemelan women and it's so nourishing and tasty every time. If you're looking to unwind and cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment then I would highly recommend booking a stay at the Kawoq Forest.

5.0
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Amazing experience!
I came back from the Yoga Forest feeling refreshed, realigned, and rejuvenated. I have a fresh perspective and feel very centered. My time at the Yoga Forest helped me to heal so much and I am feeling liberated. The people were warm and welcoming. The yoga classes were not too challenging but helped me to develop my skills immensely. I enjoyed learning from different yoga teachers and styles, as well as the daily workshops offered, which were all very interesting (e.g. Temazcal Sauna Ceremony, Fire and Cacao Ceremonies, Tantra for Women, Womb Dance, Sound Baths, etc.) The wellness sessions offered were also very wonderful, I did a reiki session and an energy healing massage. I loved that I had the ability to choose from local Mayan or Guatemalan providers as well as from foreigners. The staff were so kind, warm and welcoming. The experience was amazing and I will definitely be going back!

5.0
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Incredible in every way
This was such an incredible retreat, from the yoga to the facilities to staff to food and beyond. The space felt relaxing, spiritual, natural, welcoming and inspiring. Not only would I highly recommend this to anyone, I plan on returning. A truly special place that exceeded all expectations.

5.0
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Incredible Paradise
Let yourself give you the gift of this amazing yoga retreat. ❤️ I feel very grateful for this week of connection, inspiration, spirituality and beauty. The view, the food, the places to stay (I stay in a private cabin), the beautiful humans that are the yoga teachers and the other travelers really uplifted the experience. I was'nt expected all of this, for me it was sincerely a beautiful journey. A huge thanks to all the workers at the Yoga Forest, you are incredible! Miss you guys already, thanks for the good vibes ☀️
Gracias, merci, matyox, thanks, grazie mille! 🥰

Mission & Vision

Experience the magic of the Forest, and reconnect to the Self. 

The Yoga Forest is a sacred sanctuary with ancient Mayan altars and natural springs that have been protected as a Natural Reserve in order to honor the land and the heritage of its people.

Connect to Mother Earth and create space for transformation and self healing. Enjoy daily yoga and meditation in beautiful naturally built yoga temples, as well as regular Kirtan, Song Ceremony, Ecstatic Temple Dance, Cacao Ceremony, Essential Oils + Ayurveda workshops, and Sound Healing. 

Unwind and restore with our Wellness Packages, or purify and detox in the forest sauna. You can climb our unique cliffs, swim and paddle board on the lake, hike the volcanoes, or just relax in a hammock, all while finding authentic connection within an intimate community space.

Get a taste of the fruits of The Yoga Forest amidst the lush Lake Atitlán in Guatemala! 

RETREATS

Simple and powerful programs that create a sacred space for all to work through personal transformation, discovery and connection. Retreats are filled with opportunities for authentic self expression and connection, insights, and tools that can be applied to your personal and professional life. Through various meditation, yoga, reiki, healing arts, Thai Massage, creative writing, Song and Sound Ceremony, and Sacred Plant medicine retreats, we invite you to uncover deeper layers of Self and practice the art of living in the present moment.

RYT200hr & RYT300hr YOGA TEACHER TRAINING, + CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES

Within each of us lies a guru, a wise one who knows the truth behind each of our thoughts, words, and actions, an ancient soul that sees through to the essence of all things. Through our RYT200hr, RYT300hr Yoga Teacher Training and and YACEP recognized Continuing Education courses through our partner school, The Kula Collective; we will help reveal the voice of this wise one. These powerfully designed YTT\'s and Continuing Education courses give you the tools and language you need to share the spiritual practice of yoga, while empowering you to trust in the channel of truth you carry.

SOUND HEALING

Empower yourself, feed your soul and step into the path of your highest Self. Explore a fusion of the practice and philosophy of the mystical traditions of Nada Yoga, Mantra, Bhakti Yoga and Sound Healing. Learn how to journey into a deep meditative inquiry on the Source of all Sound and find many tools to assist in shifting frequencies, healing emotional and psychological scars and opening parts of the heart and mind that you never knew existed.

YOGA

Daily Drop in Community Yoga Classes - 7:00am, 10.30am & 4:00pm

The Yoga Forest incorporates a balance of teaching, discussion and practice of traditional and modern yoga styles and infuses a shamanic connection to the Earth and her cycles. As yoga is fundamentally an experiential, inner inquiry, students and guests are encouraged both to be aware of checkpoints, and to explore how the practice feels and manifests in their body during any given yoga experience. 

All levels are welcome, always!

Conscious Business

More than just a retreat center, The Yoga Forest shares a conscious business model integrating three pillars in a balanced practice of earth care, people care and fair share. Integrating our understanding of what it is to be a conscious business, through social, ecological and economic structures, we recognize that this journey will be ever unfolding. Through our non-profit Forest Family Foundation, we strive to support and integrate conscious living practices in the local community through humanitarian and ecological projects, while sharing the principles of working within nature creating interactive landscapes of beauty and productivity.

Together, with the help of amazing foreign staff and a beautiful crew of local Mayans, many wonderful things have been created here and there is always more to be done. We love to connect with people who prioritize a way of life that harmonizes nature with spirit, if that\'s you, check out our Work Opportunities.

Simple, Relaxed, and Off the Grid

The Yoga Forest has been built using various natural and traditional building methods. We use solar energy for simple electricity and hot water, natural grey water filtering systems for our kitchen and outdoor showers, and outdoor composting toilets to return our offerings to the earth. We try our best to produce as little waste as possible and continue to explore new endeavors to create a more sustainable retreat lifestyle.

Our Mission, Deep Green Yoga

The Yoga Forest shares conscious living as a spiritual practice, offering a unique retreat space for self connection, connection to the Earth, and personal growth. We live, work & play harmoniously in nature, creating inclusive abundance and a safe space for personal transformation and authentic self expression. Through intercultural relationships of respect, we weave together local and global visions that inspire positive social and ecological impacts in the world.