Find Authentic Retreats in San Marcos La Laguna Guatemala

"Kawok Forest offers a truly extraordinary experience for those seeking connection with nature and adventure. The trek to reach the retreat sets the tone, building anticipation as you journey on foot to this magical location. Nestled in the forest, the retreat feels like a hidden gem, and the setting—surrounded by breathtaking views of the lake and volcanoes—is nothing short of stunning. However, it’s essential to approach Kawok with the right mindset. This is not a luxury resort; it's more akin to glamping in paradise. The cabanas, while charming, are rustic. Some are perched high on the mountainside, requiring good physical condition to access. The accommodations have a simplicity that complements the natural setting but come with challenges: gaps in the walls invite the local wildlife (yes, I had both giant spiders and scorpions as roommates), roofs are made of plastic, and rainy nights can be noisy. Shared bathrooms and showers, while offering incredible views, are more "back-to-nature" than comfortable, with cold water and limited pressure. That said, the experience at Kawok is unforgettable. The staff are warm and attentive, and the food is delicious, nourishing both body and soul. If you're an experience seeker who values authenticity and immersion over creature comforts, Kawok Forest is absolutely worth visiting. Just come prepared for the adventure it offers, and you’ll leave with memories to treasure."

"I really truly enjoyed my three days staying and Kawoq, wanted to stay more. Staff extremely helpful and welcoming, and always with a smile. The yoga classes were amazing also, so different one to the other. Simply amazing, would definitely come back and do one week! "

"My husband and I stayed a few nights and Kawoq and we did not want to leave. The staff are so sweet, and take the best care of you. The location is beautiful and could not be more peaceful. Highly recommend to anyone staying at the lake. "

"Es la tercera oportunidad que me quedo allí y cada vez me gusta mas! Me gusta mucho que estas dentro del bosque, arriba en la montaña donde solo entras en un estado natural y convives en paz contigo y con los demás! La cocina y la comida siempre es espectacular, el estaff increible y los profesores de yoga muy bien! Es un lugar altamente recomendable si quieres alejarte de distracciones y transformar tu vida a una vida consciente y abundante! Espero visitarlos por cuarta vez y seguir llevando amigos y personas nuevas al lugar para compartir! "

"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."

"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."

"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!"

"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."

"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! 🥰 "

"I attended a Jewish Yoga & Meditation Retreat with Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles at the Yoga Forest. This retreat was awe inspiring and meaningful because of the magic at the Yoga Forest. The Forest Cabin that I stayed in was incredibly cute and spacious. I'm thankful that the staff put up a mosquito net right away which prevented critters from bothering me during the trip. I wasn't sure what to expect with the available food and I normally don't eat vegetarian but I was delightfully surprised by how delicious and filling each meal was. The compost toilets are much nicer than port-a-pottys and are fun adventure with a beautiful view. Carlos and Elena are the most beautiful teachers who really connected with our group. Make sure to attend a cacoa ceremony or womb dance because it's a great experience. Other teachers including Sanne and Michael really made us feel welcome. Highly recommend a reiki session with Sanne, she's got magical powers to help guide your energy as long as you go in with an open heart and mind. Make sure to pack in a backpack instead of a suitcase to make it easier on the porters helping guide you up the mountain. Also, go with a guide because it's easy to get lost on the 20-30 minute hike (it costs $6). Pack organic body wash products for the shower. I can't wait to go back to the Yoga Forest!"

"I recently experienced five incredible days at the Yoga Forest at San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala. The setting was breathtaking--in a tropical mountain forest overlooking beautiful Lake Atitlan, surrounded by volcanoes. The yoga and meditation sessions were transformative and meaningful. The instructors were vastly knowledgeable, non-judgmental, and happy to work with everyone at his or her level, whether a novice like me or experienced. I would like to give a special shout out to Carlos, Elena, and Michael, for bringing warmth, humor, beauty and genuine love for the practice to all they do. Finally, the vegetarian meals were incredibly delicious, healthy and filling. I wish I could eat this way at home. A few words of caution: to visit, you must be able and willing to undertake a somewhat steep 20-minute hike to reach the Yoga Forest (porters are available to carry up luggage), to handle lots of steps and on the short trails between the cabins and other facilities, and to use eco-friendly composting toilets (actually easier to get used to than I expected). It's absolutely worth it. My visit to the Yoga Forest will stay with me for years to come. "

"I booked a 5-night retreat during a lull between school and work, knowing I would want to cultivate some inner peace before starting my full-time role. I am so grateful for having made this decision as the Yoga Forest was truly a slice of heaven during those days. It was the perfect place traveling solo as a woman, as there were a number of us doing the same, making it really easy to establish meaningful connections. Each of the teachers had a unique approach, exposing us to a wide range of yoga and meditation practice in a creative yet cohesive form. The food and stay were also spectacular -- I slept in the Sunrise Suite and woke up with natural light each morning to the sight of a majestic lake nestled among volcanoes. I will forever cherish my time at The Yoga Forest and am so grateful for this opportunity to reconnect with my center during a critical time."

"Yoga Forest is a great place to host a retreat. They’re team is amazing and they always have your back. The place helps you connect so deeply with every part of yourself and disconnect from the rushed-day to day life. It’s my third year doing a retreat with Yoga Forest and I would come back a hundred times. It’s clean, beautiful, the food is great, and the shalas are breathtaking. Super recommended "

"I had a good time at The Yoga Forest but it would have been much better as a non vegan. I personally would not return to this retreat. While booking my stay I could choose the option "vegan" in a dropdown which obviously made me very happy. However, actually receiving vegan meals was not as easy unfortunately. EACH meal I was brought a plate with eggs or cheese on it. The first time I even ate half of it before realizing it was not vegan because I trusted the place to be informed about my ethical and dietary status. From the first day on then I had to ask every time "Is this vegan?" to receive the answer "no". They then brought my plate back to the kitchen and I had to wait for another 10 minutes while everyone else already started eating. Unfortunately, this was not everything. For a yoga retreat, I would expect to limit the suffering of other beings to a minimum. But I got disappointed here as well: In one of the rooms there was a cow skin carpet and the covers we used during savasana were (I think) made out of wool. But the worst for me were the candles: Every evening the staff would light candles all over the place and it truly looked beautiful. However, the candles were full of dead insects. Once alight, insects would fly into the flames and die. When I pointed this out I just received a shrug as if this was nothing. This could be so easily fixed my placing the candles into lanterns. I was constantly confronted with death and animal exploitation at this place and could therefore not enjoy my yoga retreat as I would have liked it. As a yogi we should always try to minimize harm, but this place definitely has not understood this yet. In my opinion, the owner is not a real yogi herself and the food is only vegetarian because of the aryuvedic medicine often linked to yoga, but not out of personal beliefs. And on another anecdote: One of the teachers got fired during my stay because she had a dog, a hairless (therefore no issues with allergies) and very well-trained dog, who everyone who met her loved. In my opinion the owner is not even vegetarian and doesn't really like animals. A no-go for any vegan."

"My personal retreat at the Yoga Forest have been truly transformational. I really appreciated the flow of 2x yoga classes per day as well as the numerous sessions (such as temascal, cacao ceremony, massages etc) available. The food was also of very good quality and very healthy. In terms of accommodations, I experienced both the Dorm and the Forest Cabin and they were both great, such amazing views of the lake! On top of it I was very lucky to find like-minded people, a community to share all of these experiences. This place will stay in my heart for a long time - will come back! "

"I spontaneously decided to book a trip to Guatemala and stay at the Yoga Forest so I was shocked to discover how lucky I was to have stumbled upon such a gem of a place. I had the most wonderful experience there - the cabin was comfortable with a stunning view, every meal provided was delicious, and the area is perfect for a rejuvenating retreat. Carlos, Elena, and Lucie were particularly inspiring, and helped to make my time there worthwhile in terms of personal growth and providing experiences that I learned from and will remember for the rest of my life. I can't wait to return to this magical place!"

"I brought a group of 11 to enjoy the Yoga Forest. We had our own yoga teacher and just needed a really unique spot to practice while visiting Lake Atitlan. We were all pleasantly surprised to know that although it was quite natural (composable toilets and all), it was actually quite comfortable. Yes you must climb to get there, but once at the top, you are surrounded with trees, mountaintops and the amazing view of volcanos and the lake. We very much enjoyed the vibe and wish the new owner and her staff all the best in creating a new energy in the place. Gabriella was so helpful and really wonderful. Also were the other staff members including the kitchen staff, wellness staff and porters. Be prepared for getting back to basics with a twist of natural beauty. The yoga shalas were wonderful also and fully equipped. Bring a headlamp and your sense of adventure! Enjoy! "

"Couldn't have hoped for a better yoga retreat! The location is stunning, nestled higher up along the mountains around lake Atitlan, just 15 minutes above San Marcos. The teachers and hosts are all kind and excellent at what they do, really helping you slow down, disconnect and enjoy your time there with the different ceremonies, treatments, rituals and classes offered. You don't even need to already be familiar with yoga at all, you really just need to be ready to try it out and they'll guide you through the experience. Can't thank the staff enough for our time there! And the food is incredibly delicious too. Highly recommend to anyone looking to take it easy for a bit, would love to return!"

"My expectations of my stay at the Yoga Forest weren't fully met. I felt overall very disconnected to the management staff, lots of distance. At one point, there were a lot of people getting sick of our group at the same time, only eating and drinking at the YF. This seems to me a point of attention for a retreat center (hygiene toilets, kitchen quality), but there was little to no responsiveness towards it. Must be said: Cindy and Elena of the group were clear exceptions (in the positive sence!) in trying to connect to the needs of the guests. The overall vibe of the center felt growingly comercialized, for example running different retreat programs at the same time: problems with availability of spaces, different kitchen hours,... This caused misunderstandings with the guests as well as the (really lovely!) local kitchen staff. There has been a change in management recently apparently, which might explain a few of these struggles? Hope they can hold on to the magic of this beautiful place in the forest near the lake."

"It was an amazing yoga retreat thanks to the beautiful location, the delicious food, most on the yoga classes were great (especially Carlos, Elena and Cindy), the workshop were amazing too. I will be back :)"

"The incredibly beautiful setting is evidenced by the photos, though the real heart of the place is who you happen to cross paths with. Open-hearted souls and excellent instructors who aren't teaching cookie-cutter classes but instead leading yoga and workshops that fit their own style. We did ashtanga, acro and restorative, several different styles of meditation practice, and enjoyed the delicious meals all in the company of the staff and a handful of other students. Would return!"

"Llegar es difícil, porque está en medio del bosque, pero eso todavía lo hace más especial. El lugar tiene magia, la forma en la que se sostiene todo es inmejorable. Las ceremonias combinadas con las clases de yoga y meditación son lo más. Ya pienso en mi vuelta, y ya quiero que todos mis amigos conozcan este lugar! Gracias por hacer esta vibra en mí posible. Después de estar aquí zhay un antes y un después. "

"Yoga Forest is truly a gem in the middle of the forest. I stayed there for 3 days for a yoga retreat and I wish I could have stayed longer. The activities are fantastic and varied. All professors were great and they take care of everyone. The meals are delicious and the accommodations are perfect. I had a cabin all to myself and the view from my balcony was fantastic. The shower and toilet, in the middle of nature but protected by low walls, were great. I loved my experience and would recommend it."

"A sacred magical place. Well worth the climb : ) Classes are wonderful. Food is delicious. And the staff is so incredibly kind, caring and helpful. "

"We stayed at the forest for 4 nights had an amazing time.. All the teachers were incredible, we joined a few workshops and enjoyed them a lot.The food was one of the best things about this space.. you can feel all the love and intention that is put into those meals..We loved our time here and will definitely will be back again. "

"A lovely rustic retreat in the forest! Bring natural bug spray and comfy loose clothing. The vegetarian food was delicious and filling, the wellness services unique, and the yoga classes were a variety of styles. Also recommend the daily workshops/activities. Lovely way to recenter!"

"The Yoga Forrest is a lush space full of beautiful Lake Atitlan Views and world class yoga classes. However, my two week experience was severely dampened due to the crass nature of the management staff. Unfriendly and unaccommodating from two managers that didn't really seem to care or support the small group I came with. Which was reason enough for me to not want to return. During my stay which was directly under one of the Chalets used for yoga was supposed to be closed and locked up from 8am to 8pm however during my stay multiple times I was woken at night by management parading through late at night as well as a group of guest that came in at 4am two mornings in a row. Aside from poor interactions with the individuals the stay was pleasant. Yoga instructors from all over the globe, delicious meals cooked by local Guatemalan cooks and the views for days. "

"It was my first time choosing a yoga retreat and I was really glad it was at the Yoga Forest. The staff, the instructors, the amenities, the food, the classes, and the workshops were great. I really enjoyed my time at the Yoga Forest. I hope to be back again soon. "

"I spent 4 nights here for a wellness reset and took advantage of their Renew package to enjoy some energy work, tarot and socratic massage. I loved my experience here. I really enjoyed the beautiful views, the eco-friendly approach, the morning meditation and 2x daily yoga, 2 DELICIOUS and healthy meals as well as the staff and friendly resident animals. Robin & Aroha were exceptional, Carlos led an amazing meditation & ashtanga and the variety of yoga and daily offerings was perfect. To be clear, this is a rustic eco lodge with solar powered showers and compostable toilets and its out in the forest so you are one with nature. It is also quite a hike up the stairs and a bit of a walk so think about your baggage or pay to have someone carry it for you. I stayed in a dome which I thought was cozy and comfortable with a large king bed. The forest cabins were rustic but chic and had their own hammocks. There are bugs/spiders around but I didn't find either to be too much and I recognized that was part of the experience. I will be back at some point for all the reasons mentioned above, but I want those that go here to be well informed so they have a great experience!"

"I prayed for A miracle for the healing of anxiety and fear that has been a shadow following me throughout my life. With the help of many loving and compassionate people, that release has happened for me. I continue to feel the peace and joy, and I cherish this gift each day. I can now move forward in life with more confidence and joy to experience life to the fullest! sending blessings to all of the staff. at the retreat, including the cooks who nourished our bodies with delicious meals! "