Welcome
Welcome
WELCOME TO YOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING IN GUATEMALA, Casa Floresta!
This guide is here to help you feel fully prepared and supported as you get ready for your Yoga Teacher Training.
You’ll find everything you need to know—from what to pack and how to get here, facilities, study materials, key contacts, and tips to make the most of your experience.
Take your time, explore each section, and reach out if you have any questions. We can’t wait to meet you on the mat.
Getting Ready: Health, Practice & Essentials
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Please let us know us know if you have any dietary restrictions and we will do best to accommodate.
You can send us an email in regard!
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We recommend you begin the process of preparing your body by eating fresh foods that are organic and alkaline-forming such as fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients. You may also want to begin limiting your consumption of meat, dairy products, salt, sugar, alcohol and caffeine in the months leading up to the training. Drink water as often as possible and begin to listen to and notice any changes in your body’s responses to this purification process.
As we are cleansing the body from the inside out, you may also want to consider the effects of cleansing from the outside-in. This is a perfect opportunity to look at the products you are using on your skin, hair and scalp to determine the safety or toxicity of them.
A helpful website you can consult for products (such as sunscreen or bug spray) that you may be packing for the trip. The cleansing and fasting is not a required part of this training. It is only offered as an additional way in which you can create more space for more light in your life and in your practice.
If you have any questions about cleansing, please reach out to your facilitator.
We recommend each student purchase travel and medical insurance for their time away. If you are not able to check in with your local broker, we recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance since they offer flexible plans and allow you to purchase insurance while you are out of the country.
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Weather in San Marcos La Laguna is split into 2 seasons, dry (November - April) and wet (May - October). Most days the temperature is around 17-24 degrees Celsius, however due to the altitude here at Lake Atitlán (1500m), nights can be as low as 8 degrees. Bring Layers!
Headlamp
Organic and biodegradable shampoo/conditioner/soap
Pen
Towel
Yoga Wear
Sweater/Jacket/Poncho
Hat
Batteries
Water bottle
Natural repellant
Bathing suit
Writing materials
Sandals / Boots
Yoga mat (Mats are provided, but feel free to bring your own!)
Warm clothes for colder nights
Additionals: We encourage daily journaling before, during and after the training. Please bring a journal, as well as any creative tools that enable you to express yourself such as musical instruments, painting/drawing materials, etc.
Please bring with you any sacred objects you work with such as crystals, tarot cards, mala, stones etc.
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For most nationalities, a Guatemalan Tourist Visa (valid for 90 days) will be given at immigration once you've arrived in Guatemala. Please check with your consulate regarding your specific country before entering Guatemala. Depending on your nationality you may need a return flight out of the country to be presented at check in for your flight.
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No inoculations are required to enter Guatemala, but it is always best to talk to your doctor and check out the Center for Disease Control website for information about recommended vaccinations.
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Our filtered water has been tested by a local authority and is approved for drinking and washing. While we take necessary steps to ensure your drinking water is filtered and food is prepared in a safe and clean manner, we encourage you to take responsibility for your health in Guatemala.
It is common for travelers in Guatemala to suffer from upset stomachs, diarrhea and/or vomiting from exposure to different bacterias. If you do fall sick during your time with us, we have many natural remedies to support you and other options at the local pharmacy. We encourage you to regularly eat papaya seeds, probiotic foods such as kimchi, apple cider vinegar to your water, and Activated Charcoal if you are experiencing symptoms. -
Guatemala is a beautiful country, from the people to the culture to the landscapes, offering amazing experiences to any traveler. Safety is as much a consideration here as in any developing country you may visit or in any touristed area where economic disparity exists. If it will be your first time to Guatemala, or you are a concerned traveler, we always recommend private transport for peace of mind. If you arrive after 4pm, we recommend you stay in the city or Antigua and travel the next day.
While traveling and when visiting towns and villages, we advise mindfulness. Don’t flash expensive devices or carry large amounts of cash. Theft tends to be petty and opportunistic. Take care with your valuables and lock them away safely. During your stay, security is provided on the property as well as secure storage for valuables. Avoid walking alone on Sundays and in the evenings whenever possible.
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The Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ or Q) is the local currency.
The closest ATM machine in the town of San Marcos La Laguna at Super Tienda Jose behind the Libreria Arco Iris and beside the bridge of the dry river bed. This is a 15 minute walk from Casa Floresta.
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Laundry: Laundry can be handwashed by Casa Floresta staff and will take a few days as it is line dry. You can also take your washing into town with wash/dry service by machine. The cost is usually $10 USD/load. Towels are provided for your stay.
Internet: Free wifi
Electricity: Electricity is available for charging devices.
If you have any questions...
Feel free to Contact Us or check the FAQs Page!
How to Get There
& Flights Recommendations
Plan to arrive into Guatemala City Aurora (code GUA) International Airport. From there, please keep in mind that it is still a half day journey to Casa Floresta, so be sure to arrange a flight to arrive one day prior to the start of the training and plan to stay one day after as well for integration and travel preparation.
Arrival Day: You must be in Pasajcap by 1pm at the latest on the first day. It will take a drive (either with shuttle or private driver) to Panajachel, and then a boat ride from Panajachel to Casa Floresta. You can also take the shuttle directly to San Marcos, and take the boat from there to Casa Floresta. Please note the ride to San Marcos is longer, and thus more expensive than the rates quoted below.
GETTING TO CASA FLORESTA
Private car or collective shuttle to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan or San Marcos
Private (15mins) or public boat (30mins) to Casa Floresta dock
We highly recommend using a private driver as it’s the easiest, fastest and safest:
Martha Herrera, is fluent both in English and Spanish. Martha books private drivers from the Airport to Panajachel (the closest city to the lake from the Airport) and from Panajachel a private boat to the private dock of Casa Floresta, Pasajcap, San Marcos la Laguna. Martha can coordinate all of the traveling and connection between car & boat.
Car Pricing (up to 4 people): Q550 ($70) one person, Q650 ($83) two, Q750 ($96) three, Q800 ($102) four.
Mini Bus Pricing (up to 10 people): Q1200 ($155)
Large Bus Pricing (up to 20 people): Q2300 ($300)
Private Boat Pricing: Q250 - 350 ($32 - 44) depending on the number of people.
Public Boat will charge Q25.
Private Boat Driver: Esteban
Xocomil Travel Agency for collective shuttle service: Jose, only Spanish speaking.
Private Transportation and Shared Shuttles in Guatemala
This Company has both private and shared rides with daily departures from the Airport to Panajachel at specific times of the day. The price of the shared rides is around $23 from the Airport to Panajachel and then you can catch the public boat and ask the boat driver to stop at the Casa Floresta dock of Pasajcap, San Marcos or another town of your choice around the lake.
FROM GUATEMALA CITY/AIRPORT TO PANAJACHEL
Daily Departures 6:00am, 11:00 and 2:00pm
Departure Day: Schedule your flight out of Guatemala either in the late afternoon/evening (after 6pm) of the last day of the training. A private shuttle will be necessary to arrive in time, OR stay a day or two extra. We will finish around 10am on the last day. Private and collective shuttles can be arranged with the Casa Floresta staff a few days prior to departure. There is no need to arrange in advance.
For hotel and hostal stays, we recommend you search Booking.com for options.
If you would like to arrive early or stay later, please contact Casa Floresta. Once you have signed up for the training you will automatically be allocated a shared space. If you would like a private option, please arrange it via email in order to reserve one of the limited private spaces as soon as possible.
Students can extend at weekly rates (price will depend on the lodging type), and if that extension is for 7 nights or more they will get an extra 10% discount on the weekly rate.
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Option 1
Arrive to Pasajcap a day early and stay the night in a hotel/hostel the night prior. Casa Floresta has a list of recommended lodging here. Ask to arrange a private shuttle direct to San Marcos from the airport so that you settle in a day early.
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Option 2
From the airport take a shuttle straight to Antigua Guatemala (they leave every hour) and stay in a hostel/ hotel in Antigua for the night. Antigua has great restaurants, markets, night life and is a safe tourist town. From there, take a collective shuttle for the earliest departure the next morning at 8am sharp (arrange at any travel agency the night prior - they are everywhere) and begin your journey to the lake in order to arrive at Casa Floresta by 1pm.
Venue Details.
Casa Floresta
San Marcos, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
The recently built Casa Floresta is directly on Lake Atitlan in Pasajcap, between San Marcos La Laguna and Tzununa. This is the home of the Forest Path Temple where Sound Ceremony Courses and Forest Path Ceremonies are held exclusively in Guatemala.