Participants are encouraged to arrive in Guatemala one or more days prior to the retreat so that they can stay in Antigua - a World Heritage site. Antigua is very safe to walk around, has great restaurants, cheap and expensive hotels, churches monasteries, and fantastic shopping

Students who choose to fly into Guatemala on the day the retreat starts will meet up with those students who arrive earlier in the week in Antigua, and from there, we will share a private bus Lake Atitlan, where the Villa Sumaya boat will meet us in Panachel and carry us to the retreat center in time to unpack and settle in before our first dinner on Saturday night.

One of my favourite places to hang out is the central plaza, shown at right, which is bounded on two sides by cafes, restaurants, shops, galleries, and on the third side by a church.

Shown below left is the arch and clock tower. This street is usually closed off to traffic and serves as a pedestrian mall. Below right is a beautifully ornate church near the hotel that we recommend for early arriving students who want to stay in Antigua before, or after the retreat.