Retreat Center:
Villa Sumaya is a full service guest house, and retreat centre seductively situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Atitlan (at 1,500 ms/4,500 ft ASL). With an uninterrupted vista punctuated only by a skyline of three perfect volcanoes, Villa Sumaya is the ultimate high for romantics and adventurers in search of rest, reflection and ageless natural beauty. 
The unpretentious, thatch roofed complex with comfortable and elegantly decorated rooms, modern accommodations, spacious gardens, restaurant/bar, gift shop, healing pool, hot tub, sauna, and outdoor pergolas that are all hidden in the natural surroundings. The center is only accessible by boat and offers a quiet, relaxing environment. Villa Sumaya’s world-class yoga and meditation room has lake front views, hardwood floors, a glass pyramid sky light and cascading gardens with a waterfall. The center is located near 16 indigenous villages. We do plan to visit one or two of these villages during our stay. Villa Sumaya also offers a complete line of Spa Services on site from dedicated and experienced professionals. To Learn more about this heavenly location see, http://www.VillaSumaya.com.
Accommodations: Each luxurious room has an attached bath and private balcony with stunning views of the lake.
Food:
Villa Sumaya’s cooking team has been creating delicious vegetarian meals for groups for the past five years. They serve buffet style and seconds are always available. For participants who would like to supplement their lunch or dinner with chicken or fish at an additional charge of $7.00 per meal would be added to their personal bill.
Sample Menus:
Breakfast: Fresh Papaya, Bananna and Pineapple scrambled eggs with tomato and onion, fried plantains, refried beans, home-made baked bread, fresh cheese and fruit plate.
Lunch: Hummus, Tabouli, Homemade pitas, Riata, Olives, Green salad and Fruit plate.
Dinner: Lentil soup, Vietnamese Stir fry, rice noodles, Croquettes with peanut sauce, Tres leches cake.
Communication:
Internet - They offer wireless service for those who bring their own laptop at $30.00 a week or unlimited usage OR $5.00 per hour using our computer.
Phone – Phones are available for calls, fees depend on country. United States is $1.50 per minute.
Healing Services
Massages (land and pool based), energy work, Ayurvedic consultations and ionic foot baths and other spa activities are available by highly qualified professionals. These sessions (1 to 2 hours in length) must be booked in advance by appointment – usually during the first days of the retreat. Prices are $45-55 for 1 hour, $65-75 for 1.5 hours, and $85-95 for 2 hours. There are a few services that do not fall within these rates. A 24-hour cancellation fee is enforced.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How is the weather in Feb?
Feb is considered pleasant. The Weather at Lake Atitlan is typically cool 55-60 Fahrenheit,(sweater weather) in the early mornings and evenings and 70-90 Fahrenheit during the day70-90.
What should you bring?
Passport, toiletries and clothing (a layer or two for the cooler mornings and nights and lighter clothing for days).
Is the schedule flexible? Yes the classes are optional. There will be plenty of time to hike and swim. You can also hike to the nearby pueblo Santa Cruz, take a boat to one of the villages on the lake, enjoy a hot tub, sauna, massage or relax and read.
What type of Yoga and meditation will be practicing?
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga: Is based on the primary, intermediate and advanced series as taught by K. Pattabhi Jois. This type of yoga links postures with the movement of breath bringing balance, strength and flexibility to our physical, mental and spiritual bodies.
Level 1 classes: are appropriate for beginners and more experienced students. Sun Salutations, standing postures, and some basic seated postures from the primary series. Modifications are given.
Level 2: Is for students who have a basic understanding of the Ashtanga system. Shoulder Stand, Full backbend, and headstand maybe included.
Mixed Level: is for students again who have a basic understanding of the Ashtanga System. Some postures from the 2nd and 3rd series maybe included.
Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini can be thought of energy. When the Kundalini at the base of the spine is opened the prana (life force) and apana (eliminative force) travelling through the pingala and ida nadi meet at the base of the spine where the Sushmuna nadi originates and travels up the Sushmuna nadi channel along the spine criss-crossing and awakening each chakra to the crown chakra. When practicing a kundalini asana or set of asanas we give a specific breath in each pose to initiate the energy to move upwards. These sets or kriya’s are done in conjunction with a specific breath(pranayama), posture and sometimes mantra and mudras. The emphasis is on breathing, meditation and chanting.
Meditation: will be done using certain healing chants and Breathing exercises. 
How is the food? Villa Sumaya offers delicious vegetarian meals. It is a combination of local fruits and vegetables mixed with international meals.
Is there massage and how much is it? Yes the center has a number of qualified practitioners. The price for 1 hour ranges from $45-$55 and 1.5 hours $65-75.
Are there additional Taxes? All of your taxes are included in the package price.
How are the rooms? Very nice. Each room has a shower and bathroom with hot and cold water and a private balcony.
How should we travel to the Retreat? You will fly into Guatemala International Airport.
Can you assign me a roommate? Yes, there are some who will be travelling alone and would like to share a room too.
Will there be time for private yoga sessions or numerology reading? Yes, during the day we will have sometime if you would like a personal session with Akasha.
Travel Arrangements:
Participants are responsible for reserving and purchasing their own roundtrip transportation to Guatemala City Airport and the cab ride from the airport to nearby Antigua. We recommend that you book your flights as soon as possible. It could be difficult to reserve tickets if you wait too long. We suggest that participants arrive no later than 2:40pm at the Guatemala International Airport, if they would like to proceed directly to lake. If arrival is past 3pm, we recommend staying in Antigua (40 minutes from airport). To see a list of hotels in Antiqua click here http://www.sleeprentbuy.com/antiguamidrangehotels.htm\
Options for roundtrip ticket. There are many On-line travel sites or you can search for Latin American Airlines visit: http://www.wonderlink.com.
For the New Years Retreat contact Bliss bliss.wood@yahoo.com
For the Feb Retreat please contact Terri at birminghamyoga@gmail.com prior to reserving your flight to discuss your options for meeting up at the airport or making your own way to the retreat center.
Airport Transport -We can help you arrange transportation to and from Guatemala City International Airport by private mini bus (approx. 3 hour drive). Cost depends on number of people in van. It can range from $80 (private) to $25 per person for shared shuttle (4 or more) we can arrange with our retreat center if you contact us.
Boat – The Retreat center is only accessible by boat. We can arrange for a boat pick up from Panajachel (where airport shuttle drops off). Private boats fees are $17 -$30 depending upon the number of passengers.
Please note Upon Arrival in order to catch the last water taxi from Panajachel to the retreat center on Saturday, you will need to arrive at Guatemala City airport no later than 3 p.m. on Saturday. Otherwise you can arrive a day earlier on Friday and spend an extra night in Antigua.
Return trip you will require a water taxi ride from the retreat center to Panajachel, and a 3 1/2 hour drive to the airport plus 2 hours for check in so book a flight later in the day. For example if you left the retreat center at 8 a.m. you could reach the airport at noon to catch a 2 p.m. flight. Or again you could stay over a night in Antiqua fly on Sunday.
If you cannot find a flight for Feb 20th or 27th and would like the retreat center to recommend a place in Antiqua, based upon your preferences please let us know.
Cancellation Policy
Travel Insurance: if you are concerned that you might have to cancel your trip and forfeit some or all of your registration and travel costs, you might consider purchasing click here:
Can you transfer your registration to a 3rd party: Yes, if you are unable to attend the retreat but know someone who wants your spot, you can transfer the full amount to the 3rd party, as long as we are notified by both parties.
Can you cancel with more than 60 days notice prior to the retreat: Yes, your deposit will be forfeited but the balance of your fees paid will be refunded to you.
Can you cancel with less than 60 days notice prior to the retreat and we Cannot fill your place: You will forfeit the entire amount paid.
However if you cancel with less than 60 days notice prior to the retreat and we Can fill your place: You will forfeit your deposit and we will refund the balance paid.
To return to the main Guatemala retreat page click here
