Guatemalan Cacao Adventure Retreat

November 12-21, 2026

Join us for an unforgettable 10-day journey across Guatemala, traveling deep into the landscapes, traditions, and living culture of cacao. Together, we will visit four distinct cacao farms—the same communities from which we source the cacao used to craft our ceremonial cacao blocks. Along the way, we’ll explore some of Guatemala’s most beautiful natural places and experience cacao at its source: meeting growers, walking among the trees, learning traditional processes, and tasting the unique character of each region.

We will also spend time in our cacao workshop, where you’ll meet the women’s collective who helps transform our cacao from bean to block. Through hands-on participation, you’ll experience the traditional process of roasting, peeling, and grinding cacao before it is formed into the ceremonial blocks we share with the world.

This retreat is both an outer adventure and an inner journey. Each day will include movement and breath practices to help us connect more deeply with ourselves, the land, and one another. We will explore the foundations of facilitating cacao ceremony, learn about Mayan culture and cacao traditions, and gather for sacred fire ceremonies guided by local elders. You’ll leave with a richer relationship to cacao, practical tools for sharing it with others, and memories rooted in the heart of Guatemala.

Retreat highlights include:

• A 10-day guided journey across Guatemala
• Visits to four of Holy Wow Cacao’s partner farms
• Time in our cacao workshop with the women’s collective
• A hands-on bean-to-block experience: roasting, peeling, and grinding cacao
• Cacao education from the tree to the finished ceremonial block
• Daily movement, breathwork, and grounding practices
• Foundations of cacao ceremony facilitation
• Mayan cultural learning and traditional fire ceremonies
• Visits to beautiful natural and culturally significant places
• Connection with cacao growers, local communities, and fellow travelers

Retreat Cost: $2,200

• Includes all food, stays, travel and activities within Guatemala
• Does not include flight costs, travel from/to airport

Accommodations: Most of the trip will be journey around Guatemala, from one cacao farm to another. At this time the best way to share the arrangements will be a mixed assortment of bungalows in the jungle, airbnb on the beach, airbnb in Antigua, and a stay for some people on my land in glamping tents. That all to be said, each person will have the option for private or shared accommodation at the two costs mentioned here.

Private Room: $2,800

Shared 2-person Room: $2,200

Travel: A note on travel. We will be moving amidst 4 cacao farms, and the Holy Wow Cacao headquarters of Las Manos de la Tierra. We will have time in Antigua as well. This means we will be traveling on average every 2 days. We will have a lot of beautiful time in each location, but just to say, this is a deep dive in a tour across* Guatemala and thus we will be actively moving on a regular basis. Bumpy and winding roads in shuttle vans, boats, etc., mean you need to be prepared for quite the adventure. Are you ready?

Notes on physical bodily ability: Although this retreat is not specifically one that is meant to be physically strenuous, the fact is that we will often be in terrain that is uneven, with inclines and declines being very common. These uneven grounds can be challenging if you have “weak knees” or ankles. All in all, this is probably a 3-4/10 in a difficulty scale, with some activities ranging to a 4-5/10, as we traverse the cacao forests and other natural features. This retreat is meant to be as accessible as possible. Some parts don’t have to be done, while if you’d like to attend and participate in the bulk of the journey you’ll still have an amazing time.