Bienvenidas to the Self-Care for Latinas Retreat - Madres in Guatemala ✨ 🇬🇹

Curated in collaboration with Raquel Reichard, author of Self-Care for Latinas.

This trip was born from something we noticed. More and more women 45+ have been joining our community, and their presence showed us there was room for something made just for them: a pace, a rhythm and a set of conversations that reflect exactly where they are in life.

This isn't a version of our Self-Care for Latinas retreat with an age limit attached. It's a new experience, shaped from the ground up for women who want to travel, connect and be fully present with others in a similar chapter of life.
 

Self-Care for Latinas is an empowering guide dedicated to helping Latinas prioritize their well-being amidst the challenges of daily life. The book offers over one hundred exercises designed to rejuvenate your outlook, improve mental health, and manage stress. In a world that often marginalizes Latina voices, this resource provides practical tools for self-advocacy, navigating microaggressions, and combating burnout. With a blend of quick practices and deeper reflections, Self-Care for Latinas encourages readers to embrace their worth and commit to their own joy and wellness.

The book’s author, Raquel Reichard, is a respected writer and cultural critic whose work uplifts the stories and experiences of Latina and Caribbean women. Her voice and perspective continue to spark conversations around healing, empowerment, and community.

This retreat was co-created with Raquel Reichard and The World Within Us to honor her message of healing, sisterhood, and self-care. It is lovingly led by our local female guide, Tania, whose expertise and wisdom bring each moment to life. Raquel and Anina will not be present, yet the retreat continues with the same intention and care that inspired it. At its heart, this trip is about meeting other Latinas and building a stronger community.

This experience is created specifically for women 45+ who want to travel, connect, have fun and experience something beautiful with women who are in a similar chapter of life.

We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a lived practice. All races, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and identities are welcome here. We believe travel should feel safe, affirming, and expansive for everyone.

This is an inclusive, community-first space, held with care and mutual respect. We ask all travelers to arrive with openness, consideration, and respect for others, and our world.

Come as you are. Be curious. Be respectful. Be ready.

Day 1: Arrival and Cooking Class
Day 2: Antigua City Tour & Weaving Class
Day 3: Lake Atitlan, Cacao Ceremony and San Juan
Day 4: Zipline at Reserva
Day 5: Antigua Free Day 
Day 6: Departure Day

Welcome to Guatemala! Upon arrival, you’ll be met with a private transfer and taken directly to your hotel to settle in and refresh. Around sunset, head out for an intimate cooking class overlooking the city, where you’ll learn to prepare traditional Guatemalan dishes alongside local chefs. The evening ends with a shared meal and wine.

We begin with a guided walk through Antigua’s historic heart, visiting Iglesia de La Merced, the Catedral de San José, and Parque Central, where daily life, history, and culture meet. From there, we head up to Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic views of the city and surrounding volcanoes. In the afternoon, you’ll join a hands-on backstrap weaving class led by a local master weaver, learning the techniques, patterns, and stories behind each thread.

We depart early in the morning for Lake Atitlán, traveling through the highlands as the day begins. Upon arrival, we board a private launch and cross the lake to our ceremony location.

The cacao ceremony is a guided, heart-opening ritual rooted in ancient Mayan tradition. Cacao, considered a sacred plant medicine, is prepared in its pure form and shared intentionally to support reflection, emotional clarity, and connection to your ancestors.

We then continue to San Juan La Laguna, one of the most culturally rich villages on Lake Atitlán. With a local guide, you’ll learn about Tz’utujil Maya traditions, visit women-led weaving cooperatives and watch natural dye demonstrations, all at the slower rhythm of life along the lake.

We head to Atitlán Nature Reserve for a guided zipline adventure, gliding over waterfalls, canyons and coffee groves with Lake Atitlán and its volcanoes in the distance. Every ride is led by trained guides, and if you’d rather simply sit back and enjoy the view, you can ride in tandem with a guide.

Today is yours to explore Antigua at your own pace. Visit the Museo del Jade to learn about the cultural and spiritual significance of jade in Maya history, then spend time wandering the city’s local markets, artisan shops, and cafés. It’s the perfect day to discover favorite restaurants, linger in plazas, and enjoy Antigua’s easy rhythm however you choose.

After breakfast, we say our goodbyes and depart Antigua with a private transfer back to Guatemala City for flights home. Carry the memories, connections, and experiences from the journey with you as you head onward. Safe travels and until next time.