WHERE: In the jungle highlands above Lake Atitlan
VIBE: Eco Wellness connected to ancient Mayan traditoins, raw and real
GUESTS: Yoga Retreat guests, drawn to ancient wisdom and sacred ceremony.
Kawoq Forest is a haven for holistic healing, rooted in the sacred traditions of the Mayan people and other global spiritual lineages. Wellness offerings here go beyond typical retreat programming. Daily yoga and meditation sessions ground guests in presence, while a skilled team of healers offers everything from bodywork to intuitive energy therapies.
Central to the Kawoq experience are its transformative ceremonies, held at the sacred site of Nimalaj Abaj (The Great Stone). This volcanic altar and cave area is an energetic focal point where Mayan fire ceremonies, cacao rituals, and ancestral offerings take place. Guests are guided through immersive experiences that reconnect them to the elements, their intuition, and collective spiritual wisdom. These ceremonies are not performances—they are participatory, healing acts that open the heart and quiet the mind.
Healers at Kawoq Forest walk diverse spiritual paths and offer one-on-one consultations, ensuring each guest’s journey is personalized and grounded in care. Visiting shamans and medicine workers are regularly invited to share their traditions with respect and reciprocity.
At Kawoq Forest, nourishment is woven into the healing journey. Meals are intentionally prepared using local, organic, and seasonal ingredients, many sourced from the surrounding highlands or grown nearby. The culinary philosophy honors mindful eating, indigenous ingredients, and the sacred act of sharing food in community.
Each day begins with an all-levels yoga class, followed by a wholesome brunch designed to replenish energy and support the body’s natural rhythms. Meals include superfoods, adaptogens, and traditional Guatemalan staples—carefully balanced to support detoxification, clarity, and vitality. From vibrant salads to hearty grains and tropical fruits, every bite is designed to nourish from the inside out.
The on-site café remains open throughout the day, offering fresh juices, smoothies, herbal infusions, and snacks that cater to a variety of dietary preferences. Whether you’re craving a light green smoothie or a grounding cacao elixir, everything is made with care and intention.
Location
Kawoq Forest is nestled high above the shores of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala—a region steeped in ancient wisdom and natural beauty. Known for its magnetic energy and volcanic landscape, Lake Atitlán has long been considered a portal for spiritual transformation. Kawoq Forest is located just above the village of San Marcos La Laguna, a well-known hub for healing arts and consciousness work.
To reach Kawoq Forest, most travelers fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. From there, it’s a 3-4 hour journey by shuttle or private car to the town of Panajachel, followed by a short boat ride across the lake to San Marcos. From the dock, a 25-minute uphill hike through forest trails leads guests directly to the retreat—an arrival experience that feels like a pilgrimage in itself. Luggage transport by staff or porter can be arranged in advance.
The remote location ensures complete immersion in nature, far from traffic, noise, and Wi-Fi signals. The land itself is part of the healing—volcanic, ancient, and alive.
Kawoq Forest
San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
