Semana Santa 2027: All Ages Family Hub
Join us for a beautiful time of adventure, culture, connection, and sharing our stories. Easter in San Juan, La Laguna, is truly something special. You'll never see anything like it!
MARCH 20 - 29, 2027
San Juan's Easter (Semana Santa) traditions involve families and businesses from around town making sawdust, dying it and using it to decorate the street with intricate stencils, flowers, fruits and vegetables. (See pictures above on the scroller and video towards bottom of page).
The community gathers for this incredible art collaboration that is then walked over during the Good Friday evening procession.
People of all backgrounds and religion are brought together to observe as the entire town reflects on the past year and what could be done better to live a more righteous life.
The Full Itinerary
Day 1
SATURDAY
MARCH 20, 2027
11:00 am
Shuttle pick up in Guatemala City.
Arrivals and settling in at San Juan La Laguna on Lake Atitlan.
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6:00 pm
Welcome dinner spread, orientation, intentions and vision for the trip discussed.
Day 2
SUNDAY
MARCH 21, 2027
MORNING
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Breakfast in small groups throughout the accommodations.
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Walk to the San Juan mirador, and hosts will review the schedule, explain the cultural activities, their meanings and talk about the local community as we overlook the town and lake from above.
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Lunch at accommodations
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Venture into town and walk the colourful streets of San Juan so you can get acquainted with the lay of the land!
Dinner out, restaurant recommendation list given. ​​​
Day 3
MONDAY
MARCH 22, 2027
MORNING
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Rotating group activities:
​Group 1
Tuk-tuk tour
Group 2
Interactive Spanish Class and Market Tour
Group 3
Kayaking
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Lunch (included)
Tortilla class will be happening in the kitchen for those who want to participate in helping make them, starting at noon!
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AFTERNOON
Group A
Weaving with Abuela Concepcion
​Group B
Free Time to explore San Juan
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EVENING
Live local music at the hotel/instrument demonstration/dance
Day 4
TUESDAY
MARCH 23, 2027
MORNING
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Rotating group activities:
​Group 3
Tuk-tuk tour
Group 1
Interactive Spanish Class and Market Tour
Group 2
Kayaking
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Lunch (included)
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AFTERNOON
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Group B
Weaving with Abuela Concepcion
​Group A
Free Time to explore San Juan
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EVENING
Bonfires in pits around the hotel
Day 5
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 24, 2027
MORNING
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Rotating group activities:
​Group 2
Tuk-tuk tour
Group 3
Interactive Spanish Class and Market Tour
Group 1
Kayaking
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Lunch (included)
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AFTERNOON
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Easter Egg Hunt
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EVENING
Bonfire and games night
Day 6
THURSDAY
MARCH 25, 2027
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MORNING
Sunrise 45-minute hike and breakfast at the viewpoint
Shuttles leave at 5:00 am
Back at the hotel to rest by 8:30
Lunch​​
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Lazy afternoon to hang out, play games and connect with other guests.
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EVENING
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A special dinner out at Deleite Ancestral ($5 per child and $12 per adult)
Guests are encouraged to invite local staff members they have connected well with to show their appreciation.
Day 7
GOOD FRIDAY
MARCH 26, 2027
MORNING
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Breakfast at the accommodations.
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Joining the community to create the famous "Alfombras" throughout San Juan.
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Lunch out at a local dinner
(included)
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Meeting up with local families to walk around San Juan, look at the finished Alfombras, and take in the festivities.
Watching the processions ​​
Day 8
SATURDAY
MARCH 27, 2027
MORNING
8:00​
Breakfast at the accommodations.
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Boat tour around Lake Atitlan
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Visit San Pedro and San Marcos
Picnic Lunch included at San Marcos Nature Reserve. (Amazing swimming!)
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Picnic Lunch
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Soccer Night!​​​
Day 9
SUNDAY
MARCH 28, 2027
MORNING
8:00​
Breakfast at the accommodations.
Morning is open for those who want to attend a Local Easter Sunday church service or explore.
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Lunch at the beach.
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Guests will be allowed to participate in a beach clean with local families.
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Refreshments and snacks
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Evening open for shopping / Exploring San Pedro
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Bonfire for those who would like to share highlights and discuss the trip.​​​
Day 10
MONDAY
MARCH 29, 2027
MORNING
7:00​
Breakfast at the accommodations.
Final goodbyes.
Shuttles out that were scheduled to the airport according to guests' flight schedules.
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Thank you for joining us!
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A TRIP YOU CAN FEEL GREAT ABOUT!
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In 2025, over 50% of Culture Chalk's revenues went straight back into supporting their community initiatives: renovating local properties, housing for single mothers, providing purposeful jobs for local widows and groceries for families in need. This trip will not only nourish your soul, but will be helping local single-mother homes.
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SPACE AVAILABLE FOR JUST 6 FAMILIES! OUR SPRING AND HOLY WEEK HUBS SELL OUT FAST, SO BE SURE TO APPLY ASAP.
A bit about the host family:
Check out this video made by a guest during Semana Santa, 2025. It will give you a great picture of what's in store for 2026!
TOTAL TRIP COST PER FAMILY WITH (UP TO) 3 KIDS
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DOUBLE ROOM WITH A PRIVATE BATHROOM
(6 ROOMS AVAILABLE)
2850.00
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FOR A ROOM WITH 3 DOUBLE BEDS BUT A SHARED BATHROOM
(2 ROOMS AVAILABLE THAT SHARE 2 COMMON BATHROOMS ADJACENT TO THE ROOMS)
2600.00
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Price includes:
Shuttle pickup and drop-off service from and to the airport.
Most meals: Delicious and nutritious, fresh GOOD food. A proud strength of the Culture Chalk programs.
All activities in the itinerary
All accommodations
24-hour support from an English-speaking host family that has lived in the area for years.
Group chat leading up to the trip to ask questions and share ideas.
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Not included:
Flights
Some dinners out
Gratuities for hotel staff and hike guides
GENERAL INFORMATION
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Lake Atitlan 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 amenities and infrastructure are 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 cawking, 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