My Love Affair with Guatemala | TourHero Review 🦋

Imagine waking up early to the sounds of Mayan women singing while they make tortillas from scratch…

The smells of copal resin incense and cedar wood smoke waft through the open window of your accommodation. You also hear birds chirping nearby and children playing in the distance. After a week of 70s-and-sunny perfect weather, you understand why Guatemala is nicknamed “the land of eternal spring.” Bringing a hand to your heart, you breathe in deeply and exhale a sigh of deep gratitude.

Next, you walk through the Mayan village and up the street to the market. It is so magical to see the large, colorful baskets full of grains, beans, spices, and other things you don’t recognize. There are fresh local avocados, limes, honey, cacao beans, papayas, mangoes, freshly made tortillas, tamales, and more. You see artisans selling their crafts- jewelry, pottery, notebooks, paintings, instruments, and clothing made from gorgeous handwoven fabric.

There aren’t too many other tourists around, but the people here are kind and friendly, and you feel safe.

On the walk back, you pass wonderful architecture, quaint fountains, and beautiful foliage lining the streets. You marvel at the abundance of this powerful place, and your soul feels so rejuvenated by the energy here. This describes my first experience in Guatemala, traveling solo in the country back in 2020.

That first trip to Guatemala sparked a kind of magic within me — it is a place where the threads of history, nature, spirit, and global community intertwine in ways that make time feel fluid. I’ve traveled to many places, but there is something so incredible and unique about Guatemala that I felt inspired to share with others. So, when the opportunity arose to collaborate with TourHero to lead a Yoga Retreat there, of course I took it! TourHero understands how to turn dreams into really special adventures, and they make the process easy! Here’s my TourHero review of 2024’s Guatemala Yoga Retreat.

The retreat planning stage with TourHero was guided by wonderful people. This is an honest company who actually cares.

Planning an international retreat can feel completely overwhelming, like working on a 1,000-piece puzzle — but not with TourHero. From the moment we started, their team stepped in with guidance that made the entire process feel collaborative and exciting. They helped me fine-tune an itinerary that balanced movement, adventure, and rest for our group. Before and during the retreat, they handled every logistical detail on my behalf such as bookings, transportation, and payments. With the administrative heavy lifting handled, I was free to spend more time curating and facilitating a transformational experience for my clients. And I got to be fully present with them during the retreat. (You can do it too, just start here!)

Our journey began near Antigua at Casa San Juan, a beautiful guest house and retreat center owned by one of my Yoga teachers.

Nestled in a quiet town and surrounded by lush landscapes, Casa San Juan was the perfect place to ease into the retreat. Each day, we enjoyed a morning Yoga and meditation practice, and delicious meals made with love and fresh, local ingredients. The serenity of the guest house and garden, combined with the warmth of the local community and our host Ginger, set the tone for the journey to come.

On the second day, we embarked on a journey to the historic center of Antigua. We strolled through the streets with our knowledgable guide, letting the rich culture of this UNESCO World Heritage site captivate our senses. After the tour, our group grabbed lunch at Ginger’s restaurant in town, Cafe Condesa, and then spent the afternoon shopping at the local markets and artisans! Wandering the streets, marveling at the colorful facades, and visiting iconic landmarks, we felt completely immersed in the charm of this city.

The third day brought the adventure of hiking Pacaya Volcano, an exhilarating experience that pushed us out of our comfort zones in the best way! While the hike was challenging, the presence of horses provided a welcome reprieve and we took advantage of their sturdy companionship. Reaching the summit and gazing at the rugged beauty of the volcanic landscape was worth every step. We took a long break at the top to eat a packed lunch from Ginger and roast marshmallows in the heat vents from the lava! It was incredible. That evening, we passed out early after a hearty dinner back at the guest house.

From Antigua, we embarked on a scenic journey to the enchanting and ethereal Lake Atitlán.

Along the way, we stopped at the ancient Mayan ruins of Iximche for another guided tour. We immersed ourselves in the spiritual energy of this ancient sacred site, then enjoyed a delicious packed lunch amidst the serene surroundings. The local travel agent that TourHero paired us with attended carefully to every detail, right down to making sure that the person in our group with a gluten sensitivity had a specifically gluten-free packed lunch! After lunch, we continued to our next destination - San Marcos la Laguna, on the shores of Lake Atitlán.

The fifth day of the retreat was unforgettable. We participated in a cacao and fire ceremony led by a Mayan shaman, an experience so profound it left us all in tears! The ceremony felt sacred from start to finish. The cacao unlocked emotions and clarity, while the fire ceremony brought transformation and release. Some of the guests experienced important breakthroughs — moments of deep emotional healing that felt like a gift from the land itself.

Choosing a favorite day is so hard, but day six might have been mine. First, we set off on a heartwarming journey into the Mayan village of San Marcos, where we donated water filters to members of the local community. By participating in the retreat, our group was able to collectively donate access to 100,000 gallons of clean water to members of the local Mayan community and their families. In the afternoon, we headed to the neighboring village of San Juan la Laguna for a cooking class hosted by a local family. We learned to prepare traditional vegetarian dishes using fresh, local ingredients. These hands-on experiences deeply connected our group with the people and cultural essence of this region!

By the end of the retreat, everyone benefited from a deep sense of renewal and clarity.

Transformation often comes in subtle waves, and by the retreat’s end, those waves were evident in the relaxed postures, glowing smiles, and heartfelt conversations. My companions shared stories of how they’d reconnected with themselves, rediscovered priorities, and found new friendships that felt like lifelines. Guatemala’s magic had worked its way into their hearts, and I felt immense gratitude for being a part of their journeys.

With hearts full of joyful memories and spirits rejuvenated, we each returned to the airport via private cars. To this day, the transformative experiences that bonded us during the 2024 Guatemala Yoga Retreat continue to bring each of us peace and inspiration. And we’re doing it all again in 2026. Join us!

I loved that TourHero was endlessly patient and proactive.

TourHero’s team was my quiet yet constant support system throughout the retreat. Their ability to respond thoughtfully to our every request made all the difference. I never once felt overwhelmed, knowing they were just a message away with solutions and encouragement! Reflecting on this entire journey, my TourHero review is nothing but positive. I can’t imagine a better partner for creating an experience like this.

If you’re dreaming of leading your own retreat (whether it’s a Yoga retreat, an adventure getaway, or a soulful journey) I believe that TourHero can help you make it happen. But if you’re like me, you don’t want to just plan a retreat — you want to create an experience that can transform lives. A lot of retreat leaders have found that success with TourHero! Read more stories like mine on the TourHero reviews page, and you’ll see for yourself. I hope this helps, my friend.

ॐ
With all my love,
Paisley Parvati Devi