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Villas del Carmen
Lake Atitlán and its volcanoes under dramatic clouds

Upcoming Events

Gatherings on the lake

Retreats, ceremonies, and celebrations held in one of the most beautiful corners of the world.
A sacred fire ceremony at Lake Atitlán
Retreat video · coming soon
Oct. 31 – Nov. 7, 2026

The Magic of the Maya

Fundamentals of the Life of the Ancestral Maya

“There are places in the world where ancient wisdom is not history—it is still alive.”

Join us for seven unforgettable nights on the shores of Lake Atitlán as we step into the living traditions of the Maya through ceremony, cosmology, food, storytelling, nature, and community.

The journey

The Offering

01

Maya Cosmology & the Sacred Calendar

02

Discovering Your Personal Nahual

03

The 13 Foundational Energies & 20 Daily Energies

04

Traditional Sacred Fire Ceremony

05

Maya Textile Demonstration

06

Traditional Maya Food Demonstration

07

Organic, Mindfully Crafted Cuisine

08

Daily Movement & Meditation

09

Sound Healing Journeys

10

Profound Immersion in Nature

Meet your facilitators

In caring, experienced hands

Thomas Mendoza Cholotio

Thomas Mendoza Cholotio

Maya Tz'utujil spiritual guide (Ajq'ij)

From an early age, Thomas was immersed in the teachings of his ancestors, witnessing ceremonies, healings, prophecies, and sacred practices that shaped his understanding of life and spirituality. As he grew older, these experiences deepened into a calling to continue learning, practicing, and sharing the traditions of his ancestors.

Today, Thomas is dedicated to sharing the wisdom, ceremonies, and sacred traditions of the Maya with integrity. His work bridges ancient knowledge with contemporary life, helping others cultivate greater harmony, understanding, and connection with themselves, nature, and the spiritual world.

Sofia Bianca Mileti

Sofia Bianca Mileti

Guatemalan wellness practitioner

Sofia is a holistic wellness practitioner dedicated to helping others achieve vibrant health through a myriad of physical and devotional practices. With decades of yoga practice and training—including Anusara and Yandara certifications—she brings ancient wisdom to modern healing.

A certified Foundation Training instructor and graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Sofia also studied raw food science at the Living Light Culinary Institute. For the past three years, she's led hundreds of sound healings and served as director of Mountain Town Music's Healing Sounds initiative in Park City, Utah.

Investment

Reserve your space

Casa Azul — Shared

Per person

$2,185

Casa Azul — Private

Per person

$2,722

Casa Rosada / Casa Amarilla — Shared

Per person

$2,444

Casa Rosada / Casa Amarilla — Private

Per person

$3,144

7 nights lodging · all meals, coffee, tea · round trip airport transfers · boat transfers · all programming — daily workshops, movement practices, sound healings, fire ceremonies · one on one personal Nahual reading with Thomas · guided trip to San Juan · Mayan cooking class · goodie bags with curated gifts. We require a non-refundable deposit of $600 to hold your spot. Payment plans available.

Also coming up

New Year at Villas del Carmen

Fireworks over Lake Atitlán on New Year's Eve
December 30, 2026 to January 2, 2027 · Lake Atitlán

New Year at Villas del Carmen

Three nights on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Dance the old year out beside the pool, and open the new one around the sacred fire.

  • Three nights in a lakefront villa, the 30th, 31st and 1st
  • Eight meals, from dinner on the 30th through breakfast on the 2nd
  • New Year's Eve party on the 31st: a four course dinner, champagne toast and live entertainment
  • The party carries on at the pool and the jacuzzi
  • Paddle board or kayak on the lake on the 31st

Shared rooms from $695 per person

Host your own

Bring your group to the lake

Villas del Carmen hosts retreats, ceremonies, and gatherings throughout the year. Tell us what you have in mind and see your numbers before you commit.