The Full Itinerary
Welcome to the Roaming Rascals 2027 Central American Tour!
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, and El Zonte, El Salvador,
July 18 - August 4, 2027
Come join us and other families with active kids looking to find a program packed with adventure, culture and tradition.
PART ONE: LAKE ATITLAN
Day 1
July 18, 2027
Arrival and welcome!
Morning
Arrival in Guatemala City and shuttle transfer to San Juan La Laguna.
Check into Lake View Accommodations
Welcome charcuterie spread with fresh fruit, bread, cheeses, veggies, smoothies and juices.
Orientation, review of guidelines and safety information.
Evening:
Dinner/Ice-breaker: paired local "host" families come to accommodation to welcome you to get to know one another.
Day 2
July 19, 2027
Exploring our surroundings
Morning
Breakfast at lodging.
Rotating small group activities:
Guided market tours and shopping for fresh produce
Tuk-tuk tours around town
Weaving with Abuela Concepcion
Kayaking
Lunch
Afternoon
Free afternoon to explore, rest, visit cafes.
Potluck dinner at the hotel
Bonfire
Day 3
July 20, 2027
Morning
Breakfast at lodging.
Rotating small group activities:
Guided market tours and shopping for fresh produce
Tuk-tuk tours around town
Weaving with Abuela Concepcion
Kayaking
Lunch
Afternoon 1:00-3:30
Kids: Supervised craft time in art room
Adults: Spanish Immersion Classes: focus on conversational skills
Free evening
Day 4
July 21, 2027
Exploration as a family
Morning
Breakfast at the lodging.
Completely free and open to spend time as a family.
Optional Lunch served at the hotel.
Recommendations given for exploring nearby towns, ziplines, and nature reserves.
Day 5
July 22, 2027
Cacao-making workshop day
Morning
Breakfast at lodging.
Slow breakfast: served from 8 - 9:30
Hands-on traditional chocolate-making workshop
Lunch
Afternoon 1:00-3:30
Kids: Supervised craft time in the art room with teachers.
Bonfire, sourdough pizza (made on site) and live local band.
Day 6
July 23, 2027
Day of rest and relaxation
Morning
Breakfast at lodging
Day completely open for individual families to explore and rest.
Families are encouraged to get in touch with their host families to organize outings to local gems.
Optional lunch served at hotel. Please let us know if you will be out for the day to ensure no food is wasted.
Free evening
Day 7
July 24, 2027
Outdoor Adventure
Morning (Optional)
4:00 am wake up for pickup ride to Indian Nose lookout point that overlooks all of Lake Atitlán. Pancake breakfast and coffee served at the summit.
Those who wish to stay back for a lazy morning can do so!
Return - Morning of rest.
Lunch
Afternoon
Community Service Electives:
Pick up trash on the beach and give back to our host community OR
Help teach English and participate at Culture Chalk's local Community Centre, "New Hope Home."
Day 8
July 25, 2027
Getting to know the local customs
Morning
Breakfast served in the kitchen
Paired local families arrive to take guests around town to their favourite spots, introduce them to friends, family, etc. Guest families will be invited into local "host" families' homes for coffee and sweetbread to experience how local Guatemalans live.
Toy-share activity: guests present gifts they brought to share with their host families in return for their tremendous hospitality.
Supper time open for families to explore local restaurants.
Bonfire
Opportunity to share highlights.
Day 9
July 26, 2026
Boat tour day!
Early Breakfast
Boat tour around the lake, swimming at San Marcos Blue Water Nature Reserve, visiting a ceramics factory in San Antonio, and shopping for traditional textiles in Santiago Atitlán.
Packed picnic lunch.
Boat ride back to San Juan
Final group dinner in Guatemala at "Ancestral Delight"/Staff appreciation.
Day 10
July 27, 2027
Flex / Buffer Day
Completely open day before travel
Optional activities depending on family energy levels.
Packing, relaxing, and farewells to local hosts.
PART TWO: EL ZONTE
Day 11
July 28, 2027
Travel day to El Salvador
Departure in a shuttle (Included) from San Juan, La Laguna to El Zonte.
Breaks along the way for breakfast, coffee and lunch.
Late Afternoon
Arrival at Eco Suites accommodations
Relaxed afternoon. The program officially starts with a welcome spread of delicious fruit and snacks.
Evening to relax and explore the campus and get to know the other families.
*We ask that children keep devices in rooms and that they not be used in the common areas. This trip is designed around connection with others and disconnection from devices!
Day 12
July 29, 2027
Beach reset day
Slow morning
Pool and beach time
Welcome snacks and orientation
Sunset dinner on the beach
Day 13
July 30, 2027
Surf and Chill
Breakfast at the accommodations restaurant
Kid's surf lessons
Parents relax, surf, or explore cafes and shops
Afternoon free time to bum around on the beach!
Beach games at sunset.
Day 14
July 31, 2027
Waterfall Adventure
Breakfast at the accommodations restaurant
Morning trip to Tamanique Waterfall
Swimming and exploring
Lunch at the accommodation
Relaxed afternoon at our accommodations.
Day 15
August 1, 2027
Local Community Day
Breakfast at the accommodation's restaurant
Visit local school/community project
Arts and crafts with local children
Surf, massage, coffee, or just relaxing
Ping pong tournament in the evening
Day 16
August 2, 2027
Parent Recharge Day
Breakfast at the accommodation's restaurant
Pool and beach morning (discounted surfboard rentals and massage time slots)
Parents get an optional free time/date afternoon while kids learn how to make Pupusas.
Day 17
August 3, 2027
Final Beach Day
Breakfast at the accommodation's restaurant
Sandcastle competition (Bring your A-game!)
Swimming and beach games: frisbee, football and surfing for those who want to.
Long lazy lunch
Final sunset gathering together in and around the infinity pool overlooking the beach.
Day 18
August 4, 2027
Final Beach Day
Breakfast at the accommodation's restaurant
Goodbyes
Transfers to San Salvador Airport
The full package, what is included:
33 Meals: 17 Delicious daily breakfasts for the whole family, 14 lunches, 2 Suppers.
Culture Chalk Accommodations in San Juan and Eco Suites El Salvador: plenty of common areas, green space, and direct beach access.
All activities listed in the itinerary
A private hiking tour to Tamanique waterfall; bring your swimsuit, it's a beautiful swimming spot!
An English-speaking host family and leader will be available to the group during your stay.
Up to two private surf lessons per child.
All transportation throughout Central America
Visit to a school to share time with local kids and learn a bit about daily life in El Salvador.
Discounted board rentals for mom and dad surfers.
El Salvador: POOL AREA - OCEAN FRONT INFINITY POOL - GAMES AREA WITH PING PONG AND FUZBOL
Plenty of downtime to connect as a family and with others on the beach.
Ping Pong tournament with prizes.
Organized beach soccer games.
Not Included:
Flights and airfare
Travel insurance
Gratuity for host families
CLOTHES PACK LIST
-
7-8 pairs of socks and underwear
-
2 Pants
-
Comfortable hiking pants
-
3 pairs of shorts
-
8 shirts/tops
-
Toiletries, brush, hair ellastics
-
Swimwear
-
Sandals -hiking type recommended for versatility
-
Sport Bras
-
Base layer of thermo-wear
-
Jacket AND sweater
-
Walking shoes
-
Earplugs and headphones
Check out our video showcasing our story, activities and San Juan accommodations!
PRICING
(PRICING INCLUDES 17 NIGHTS OF ACCOMMODATIONS, PROGRAMMED ITINERARY, 34 MEALS!)
Option A
Family with 1 child:
$6400
Option B
Family with 2 children:
$7000
Option C
Family with 3 children:
$7400
Option D
Private room with 1 double bed; option for single parents with 1 child.
1 room available.
$5800
Option E
Save $250 on any of the above by opting for one of our two rooms in the San Juan portion of the trip with detached bathrooms in the hallway. (3 double beds, detached bathroom)
Option F
Private bungalow in San Juan, Family with 4 children
$7950
EARLY BIRD Registrations before June 7th receive $400 off, and payments in full receive an additional $200 OFF!
ALL FUNDS IN USD
GENERAL INFORMATION
Join us for an incredible 18 days of work hard - play hard fun! We are so proud to offer this experience. Once registered, you will be invited to the Registered Families' WhatsApp group party-line where registered guests are posting ideas, preparation hike photos, tips and questions for the hosts to answer.
A few notes!
Lake Atitlán remains extremely traditional and conservative in nature. Please remember that we are guests and as such we should dress and behave respectfully towards the hosts. Please dress modestly during your time here.
Bringing a small gift is optional but recommended to give to some of the families we support in our community. (Quality socks, a no-longer used smartphone, children's toys or a quality kitchen utensil/gadget.)
We hope you love Guatemala for what it is and don't hate it for what it is not: Come with an attitude of adventure and expect some things to NOT go smoothly at all times. Guatemala is a developing country, and its amenities and infrastructure are still developing. While the accommodations we book and offer during your visit are considered luxury to the local population, they are not immune to occasional water cuts, internet cuts, power outages, etc. Guatemala is a vibrant place, and roosters cawing, dogs barking, music playing and fireworks being set off at all times of the day is considered normal. 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