Personal Retreats and Accommodation Packages

Introduction

The Doron Yoga & Zen Center is devoted to creating a transformational experience for travelers. Stay with us 9 nights and find peace and happiness through practicing yoga and meditation in paradise. Doron Yoga & Zen Center has been designed to provide a place to truly live a functional Yoga Lifestyle – and we don’t mean fancy Yoga Poses in fancy yoga pants – it is about various yoga practices, meditation, breathwork, joy and contentment, being good to ourselves and others around us. Our retreat center steps from the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, offers a holistic health experience, combining yoga, meditation, pranayama and nutrition. “If you are looking for a place to disconnect from society, take time and space for yourself, improve your yoga and breathing practice, increase your awareness, live near mother earth and it elements, eat healthy-local and very tasting food, reconnect with your inner self and body, meet interesting people, be close to the Mayan culture, feel free and reborn… then that’s the place you want to book !” – Lindiana, TripAdvisor Review Strengthen your mind and body; taking time away from our hectic lives enables us to come back to a centered place of being. This retreat is for everyone interested in a more holistic yoga lifestyle.

Highlights

• Daily yoga practice in a beautiful yoga shala hall with panoramic views of Lake Atitlan, volcanoes, mountains, and the Tzununa river
• Learning mechanics of yoga poses to perfect your alignment
• Meditation (various types: Tibetan, Zen, Chakra Balancing, Dynamic, Kundalini and more)
• Delicious vegetarian meals served daily in a communal style
• Swimming in beautiful Lake Atitlan
• Our Temazcal, a traditional Maya sweat lodge and natural sauna (additional charge)
• Staying in the serene Maya village of Tzunana and exploring the distinct and charming towns of Lake Atitlan
• Living in a spiritual community with like-minded yogis

What’s included

• Accommodation (min 9 nights)
• Vegetarian breakfast and dinner: curated offerings made with locally-sourced food and high quality ingredients (lunch available as well for an additional fee)
• Unlimited filtered water
• Herbal tea and coffee with breakfast
• Herbal tea with dinner
• Vinyasa Yoga Class with breath work, yoga asana and meditation  (in the mornings, Sunday no class)
• Wifi access in Buddha Cafe
• Loving and caring community of humans and animals

What’s not included

• Tours and other excursions
• Transportation and transitions to and from the retreat (we are happy to book transportation for an additional fee)
• Lunch (can be purchased for an additional fee per person per meal)
• Extra snacks and beverages (bliss balls, gluten free/vegan snacks, homemade kombucha and more)
• Massage Therapy, Spanish Classes and Consultations with our experts
• Private yoga workshops with our teachers
• Ayurveda consultation

Yoga

The Doron Yoga method (based in Ashtanga from primary through third series) blends yin and yang, core work, strengthening and deep stretching. Classes offer challenging poses and sequencing, but the flow is slow, mindful and focused. Be ready for a great workout and lots of laughter, plus tips and teachings to help you advance rapidly. Doron Yoga is a sustainable yoga system, where safety comes first and foundations of correct alignment are tailored specifically to each individual. We build up to the most advanced practices according to each student’s level and needs.

About Doron Yoga & Zen Center

“My friend and I went for a yoga retreat and had a wonderful and unique experience. We enjoyed morning and afternoon yoga session, wonderful healthy vegetarian food and comfortable accommodations…It was a relaxing memorable week with experiences we could have not received elsewhere. I absolutely recommend this wonderful yoga center.” – Karin, TripAdvisor Review Doron Yoga & Zen Center is a spiritual eco-village, based on permaculture principles with Zen inspiration. Our grounds have a majestic view of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes and villages. We are part of the Maya village of Tzununa and our property is only a seven minute walk from Lake Atitlan.

Accommodations

All of our accommodations are new construction and built with ecological practices in mind. Rustic and charming, rooms have either a jungle, garden, or lake view; they are decorated with murals, local art and textiles. The property offers three types of rooms: private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, private rooms with shared bathrooms, and dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms. All bathrooms have showers with either gas or solar heated water and western toilets (eco treatment). We source water from a spring supplied by the municipality as well as river water that runs through the property. We have three private rooms and two dormitories which share bathroom facilities. Private rooms sleep two people, while dormitories sleep 5 – 6 people. Our shared bathroom is outdoors with private stalls; it has three western-style toilets, two showers and two sinks with gas-heated water. We currently have three private rooms with en-suite bathrooms in our “Casa Amor” and six more spacious private rooms with ensuite bathrooms in “Casa Ananda” . These rooms each have a skylight and a bathroom featuring a shower with locally sourced slate. Other elements include hand carved mirrors, bamboo and wood finishings, local hand crafted furniture and orthopedic beds. The three rooms share a deck with hammocks and chairs overlooking our beautiful garden and Lake Atitlan.

Amenities

• Comfortable beds, linens, pillows, and towels (towels are provided in private rooms with private bathroom)
• Free WiFi
• Heated Water
• Housekeeping service
• Private storage
• Two Yoga Shala
• Buddha Cafe:
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily
  • Snacks and beverages available for purchase
• Permaculture organic gardens
• Fire pit
• Temazcal: traditional Maya sweat lodge/natural sauna (fee)
• Riverside massage room (fee)
• Laundry service (fee)
• On-site activities (more information below)

Yoga Shala

This beautiful practice space stands on stilts next to the Tzununa River with full length windows and sliding glass doors. The sounds of the river permeate the space, which features jaw-dropping views of Lake Atitlan and its surrounding volcanoes and mountains. Inside, the yoga shala features high, insulated ceilings held up by bamboo pillars and a sprawling cypress floating floor. The cane, Cyprus, pine, and stones used in the construction are locally sourced and built with care by community workers. Our second, open air Shala is located on the top floor of Casa Ananda, amid the jungle giving guests a full view of the stunning surroundings and a rare opportunity to be one with the nature.

Grounds

We follow permaculture and sustainable design principals to ensure DYZC is eco-friendly in its construction and functionality. The Tzununa River runs through our grounds, where guests can enjoy meditation in chairs and hammocks. A path paved with local stones runs alongside the river, through our garden and around the property. We grow coffee, bananas, avocados, lettuces, beans, yams, radishes, herbs and around 30 other fruits and vegetables which can all be enjoyed when you dine at Buddha Cafe. We have a beautiful fire pit under a grand Jocote tree more than fit for climbing. Our Temazcal is a classic Maya ceremonial sauna to help you detox and cleanse your body. For an additional cost, we offer massages and Spanish classes on property.

Buddha café

The Buddha Café is a wonderful meeting place. This outdoor deck dining space overlooks the lake; it is surrounded by the lush landscape and has a variety of seating (and hammock!) options. It serves nutritious and delicious gourmet vegetarian food, which you can read more about below. One of its primary highlights is the great company; meals are served and enjoyed community-style. Travelers meet to share stories, experiences, a cup of tea, and so much more. Rest, connect with new friends, and enjoy delicious food and snacks.

Food: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

“…We absolutely loved our experience. We definitely recommend eating the food there and you will probably meet lovely and interesting people while you’re at it.” – Alice, TripAdvisor Review Our daily offerings have an international inspiration, mixing traditional Guatemalan fare with Doron’s Mediterranean touch. Meals are made from fresh  produce; to the greatest extent possible, food is organic and locally sourced, sometimes from our own garden. Gluten free and Vegan diets can be accommodated upon request. Each meal is substantial, varied and nourishing to energize you through your yoga practice. The menu at the Doron Yoga & Zen Center is designed with the guidance of founder and director, Doron Hanoch, who is also a professionally trained chef and certified nutrition consultant. Some examples of our offerings include raw, cooked and fermented foods, healthy sauces and condiments, homemade jams and peanut butter, fresh homemade granola, baked sourdough bread, fresh tortillas and pizza cooked in either our clay or wood-burning ovens. Snacks are available throughout the day. Try our chocolate chip banana muffins, vegan power super food rich bliss balls (made with local Maya raw cacao), vegan black bean brownies, or our homemade kombucha. Notes: Be mindful of food and water hygiene, as stomach issues are not uncommon for travelers in Guatemala. We advise visitors to bring grapefruit seed extract to use daily. Remember to bring along any other supplement that helps soothe your tummy.

Local Activities

Lake Atitlan is an internationally recognized spiritual center hosting multiple holistic and spiritual retreat destinations.

On-Site Activities

• Yoga and Meditation Classes
• Holistic lifestyle coaching
• Zen Dance
• Bonfires with Zen talk
• Massages (fee)
• Temazcal Ceremonies (fee)
• Private Spanish classes (fee)
• Yoga Lifestyle consulting (fee)
• Cooking classes: learn how to make authentic tortillas with our Maya cooks (fee)

Activities around Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

• Walk / hike around Tzununa, through the mountains or to nearby villages
• Swim in the lake or chill out on the dock with awesome volcanic views
• Stand up paddle boarding in Panajachel or San Marcos
• Waterfall hike (seasonal)
• Hike The San Pedro Volcano (with guide)
• Kayak in San Marcos or San Pedro
• Venture by boat or tuk-tuk to one of the neighboring towns and shop for traditional crafts; enjoy sightseeing in these unique Maya villages

How to get here

We’re happy to help arrange shuttles to the property from the airport, Guatemala City, and other popular tourist destinations around Guatemala. Please keep in mind that the lake is located several hours away from the airport, as this may affect travel times. For our full list of recommendations on booking flights and transportation, please check out our transportation guide here. To get to DYZC from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) or Antigua please do the following: 1. Take a public shuttle to the town of Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. We can arrange a private shuttle for you. 2. From Panajachel travel to Tzununa (our village) by taking the boat (lancha) in the direction of San Marcos (Tzununa is one stop before San Marcos). The last boat from Panajachel is at 6pm. There are also private boats available. You can take a boat from San Marcos or San Pedro as well (last boat is at 5:30pm). 3. In Tzununa, take a tuk-tuk from the dock to Doron Yoga – all tuk-tuk drivers know where we are. We can also arrange a shuttle from the airport directly to DYZC. It takes a bit longer as they go around the top of the lake, but on the other hand you get into one shuttle all the way here.