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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

Early bird

$1,985

Casa Azul — Private

Early bird

$2,222

Casa Rosada / Casa Amarilla — Shared

Early bird

$2,185

Casa Rosada / Casa Amarilla — Private

Early bird

$2,444

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 and to ensure early bird pricing. Payment plans available.

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.