

"Older School" 2026
Welcome to San Juan!
We are so excited to offer this experience. Here is the Culture Chalk weekly itinerary, a routine for guests to enjoy, connect, and get involved with the local community.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Monday
6am
Sun is up, coffee is on.
7:30am - 8:30am
Breakfast served
9am - 10:30am
Morning activity
Spanish School
12:30 - 1:30pm
Lunch
Afternoon activity
2:30-4:30
Weekly tour with Kevin
5:00
Afternoon tea/sweetbread/snacks and games in clubhouse
Tuesday
6am
Sun is up, coffee is on.
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Breakfast served
9 am - 10:30 am
Morning activity
Crafting with Christina
(Beading - embroidery - cross stitch - polymer clay - art)
OR Market visit and cooking class with Chayo
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
2:30-4:30
Afternoon activity
Mayan history with Ceci / Guest Stories / Local community immersion
5:00
Afternoon tea/sweetbread/snacks, and games in the clubhouse


WEDNESDAY
6 am
Sun is up, coffee is on.
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Breakfast served
9 am - 10:30 am
Morning activity
Spanish School
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
Afternoon activity
2:30-4:30
Volunteering / Community involvement
5:00
Afternoon tea/sweetbread/snacks, and games in the clubhouse
Music night
THURSDAY
6 am
Sun is up, coffee is on.
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Breakfast served
9 am - 10:30 am
Morning activity
Walk / Hike / Kayak
Market visit and cooking with Chayo
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
Afternoon activity
2:30-4:30
Crafting / Baking in the clubhouse
5:00
Afternoon tea/sweetbread/snacks, and games in the clubhouse


FRIDAY
6 am
Sun is up, coffee is on.
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Breakfast served
9 am - 10:30 am
Morning activity
Spanish School
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
Afternoon activity
2:30-4:30
Local Family Immersion / Local Buddy Pairing.
5:00
Afternoon tea/sweetbread/snacks, and games in the clubhouse

Food
IF YOU HAVE ANY FOOD ALLERGIES, PLEASE LET US AND OUR STAFF KNOW!
ACTIVITIES
All activities are optional; however, once enrolled in the Spanish class, we ask that you attend regularly unless you are unable to do so due to health.
Biweekly excursions to be scheduled:
Boat tours, fishing with Leo, longer hiking routes, and picnics will be scheduled and organized by the group.
WEEKEND EXCURSIONS TO OTHER TOWNS
We will coordinate shuttle rides and accommodations to help you explore other parts of Guatemala while using our place as your home base. Potential trips include:
Antigua - Hot Springs - Chichicastenango Market.
Saturday/Sunday
DAYS OF REST
A list of local recommendations will be given
6 am
Sun is up, coffee is on.
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Breakfast
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Lunch
5:00
Afternoon tea/sweetbread/snacks.

Want to see more? Here's our promo video that showcases some of our activities, area and accommodations.

GENERAL INFORMATION
An incredible one-to-three-month stay of play-hard fun! We are so proud to offer this experience!
Lake Atitlan remains extremely traditional and conservative. Please remember that we are guests, and as such, we should dress and behave respectfully towards our hosts. Please dress modestly during your time here.
Bringing small gifts is 100% recommended for some of the families we support, whom we will introduce to you from our community. (Quality socks, non-lingual games (like UNO, a quality deck of playing cards, Blockus), children's art supplies, toys or a quality kitchen utensil/gadget.)
As our name, Culture Chalk, implies, we specialize in Cultural Education. We genuinely want you to experience the best of Guatemalan culture while representing your own culture with class, sensitivity and objectivity. And trust us, we know it's not always easy when experiencing new things, as good as they may be, they are still different and different can be challenging. We encourage visitors to come with an attitude of loving Guatemala for what it is and not judging it for what it is not.
Guatemala is a vibrant place, and roosters crow, dogs bark, music plays, and fireworks go off at all times of the day, all considered normal. Come ready to laugh, dance, sing, and see yourself in a brand new light.
Also... Please bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper! ;)
Our goal as your hosts is for you to leave our place BETTER, in so many ways.
Cultural Immersion Retreats




























