The Hummingbird Retreat
Hi, I’m Erica! 🙂
I believe in the power of meaningful experiences that change our lives for the better.
I’ve been going out into the world seeking these kinds of experiences (aka adventures) for over 10 years, traveling alone as a woman to places like India, Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, and more.
After all these travels, I’ve settled in the most magical place of all - Hummingbird Valley in Guatemala, the heartland of Mayan culture.
december 2024
you’re invited to join me for an adventure of a lifetime
What is it?
nourish your heart and soul so you can feel renewed, inspired, and excited about life again
This week-long retreat (with the option to extend to 10 days!) is a homemade, carefully and lovingly curated experience designed to take sweet care of your body, mind, and soul. This is an experience deeply connected to the profound richness of nature in Hummingbird Valley, one of the most stunningly beautiful places in the world.
You will be lovingly held, protected, nourished, inspired, and cared for by Erica and her dedicated team.
Your meals will be home-cooked and sourced from wholesome local ingredients deliciously prepared to nourish your body, while yoga, meditation, journaling, fire and cacao ceremonies, song circles, and shared prayers will nourish your heart and soul.
During the retreat, each day will have a theme based on the Mayan calendar, with prompts to help you reflect on how to thrive in your life.
This is not just a vacation - this is a gift of soulful renewal you are giving yourself in a spirit of self-love
When is it?
dec 10 - 17, 2024
Where will we stay?
We will spend our time together at Love Lodge in Tzununa, a 5 minute walk from Erica’s land
Love Lodge provides gorgeous accommodations: 6 bedrooms and an ensuite (with it’s own kitchen & bathroom / shower unit), and 2 shared bathrooms around a beautiful shared living and kitchen area above their kombucha kitchen.
There’s a yoga deck with a view of the lake and the valley, and a big grassy garden with lots of seating.
Pictured here 👇
This retreat is a magical seed you will be powerfully planting for your future
What can you look forward to?
* Quality time with Erica and friends
* Hanging out at Erica’s house
* Snuggles with Frank and Stella
* Cacao ceremonies with song and prayer
* Yoga classes to nourish your body
* Lessons on artisanal chocolate making
* Various art-making opportunities
* A visit to the apothecary at Casa Curativa
* Sharing circles to connect deeply with each other
* Cacao making
* Talks on the Mayan Calendar and tuning into the energy of each day
* Journaling prompts
* Optional outdoor activities include hiking to waterfalls
* Optional massages with local Mayan women
* Free time for relaxation, reflection, and inner & outer exploration
* Shopping at local markets for gifts and souvenirs
What’s the investment?
$2599.00 - $3999.00 (depending on the room type and length of stay)
other questions
+ Is it safe to travel?
Even in your own home, there are countless ways you could get injured or even die. Whenever you leave your house, that risk multiplies, especially if you get into a car. There is an inherent risk in anything you do. When it comes to travel, of course, there is a risk, but there’s also a reward. That’s what makes it an adventure!
Thankfully, we are now at a time when Guatemala no longer has vaccination requirements to enter the country. So you are NOT required to be vaccinated against COVID to come on this retreat.
+ Do I need to speak Spanish?
No, speaking spanish is not required. We will handle all the logistics and arrangements for you so you just have to show up and follow our lead.
+ Can men come too?
Unfortunately, no.
+ Do I have to be vaccinated to come?
Nope! Yay 😀
+ What’s included?
Retreat tuition. Private transportation from the Guatemala City or Antigua to Hummingbird Valley on the morning of the retreat. Accommodation for 7 nights at a Lovepro Lodge, plus the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that take place at this location. And, Tuk tuk and boat rides! :D
+ What’s not included?
What’s not covered are your flights to and from Guatemala, personal shopping expenses, travel insurance (required), meals that take place off-property, massages, and any additional snacks and treats you will have the chance to purchase. Also, because the trip will end on an open note (so you can decide where you will go next - or if you will stay longer) you will be responsible for your return transportation to the airport. Don't worry, we will help you arrange it, you just have to decide when you want to leave.
+ Where will we stay?
You’ll be staying 7 nights (with the option to extend to 10 days) at Lovepro Lodge in Tzununa. This will be our homebase from where we'll explore the valley - it's about a 5 min tuk tuk ride to Karuna. You'll also have plenty of time to relax!
There are three room types in this house - 2 (slightly) larger private bedrooms with full beds, 4 rooms with full beds, and an ensuite that has a queen bed, it's own kitchen and bathroom / shower unit.
+ How can I pay?
You can pay through this site by credit card or Paypal. If you need a payment plan, email Amanda at amandalopesva@gmail.com and she will get that worked out with you.
+ How do I get there?
Your goal is to be in Guatemala City or Antigua by the morning of the retreat. Our drivers will pick you up either from the airport or from your hotel in Guatemala City or Antigua and bring you to Hummingbird Valley for our 2pm start.
+ What should I pack?
We ask that you leave home products with chemicals as everything you use goes directly into the land, so we prefer that you bring only natural products, including natural bug repellent (no DEET please).
Bring a bathing suit for swimming!
Bring a walking stick to help you maneuver the rocky terrain.
Make sure you bring your own refillable water bottle as single-use plastic bottles are discouraged.
Guatemala at this time of year can get quite chilly at night, so be sure you bring some warm layers.
Bring clothes you’ll be comfortable in doing yoga, as well as hiking in nature (optional).
We recommend bringing both flip-flops and close-toed shoes that will feel good during walking and hiking up a mountain.
Dog treats are always welcome!
Last time participants brought their favorite snacks from home and it worked really well for them.
Bring a journal as we’ll be prompting you to write during this experience.
+ Do I have to hike?
No, you don't.
We encourage you to listen to your body and do what feels right for you, therefore you are welcome to do what you like. If you’d rather stay at the lakehouse or hang out at Karuna, that’s your choice. We want this to be a fun and easeful experience for you, but moreso we want you to honor the limits of your body.
While we have designed an itinerary of fun activities, you are welcome to participate (or not) in the way that feels best for you. We encourage you to always take responsibility for your wellbeing in this and every moment of your life.
+ Can I bring my kids?
We are offering you to take this time for yourself, so we encourage you to leave the kids at home. If, however, your child is over 15 years old and really really really wants to come for themselves, then we are open to it, however they would need to pay a separate tuition and accommodation fee. Young people under 15 are not able to be included in this experience at this time.
More than anything, we encourage you to think of this trip as sacred self-care time for you to deeply connect to yourself, free from your responsibilities and obligations to others.
+ What's your cancellation policy?
We want you to be sure you are making a full commitment to this experience when you sign up, just as we are making a commitment to you to hold this space for you to come and have this adventure.
Therefore, with the exception of emergencies, we do not offer refunds if you change your mind and decide not to come, except in the instance we are able to find someone to take your place (at which point we can offer you a refund minus a $200 admin fee). In the instance of an emergency, we reserve the right to offer refunds at our discretion. In some cases, we will offer you a 50% refund with a remaining credit that can be used towards future retreats and offerings.
+ Expectations of participants
We want people to come on this retreat who are flexible, adaptive, and willing to grow through all experiences.
We encourage you to take responsibility for your experience, take care of yourself, directly communicate your needs, do your part to make sure you have what you need to make the most of this experience, and to put in your best effort in each moment.
You will be sharing time, space, and energy with others, so we ask you to leave the drama at home and come with an open mind and heart to what this experience has to offer us.
We are creating this experience together, and it's going to be amazing. Sometimes there will be challenges - that’s the nature of an adventure - so we ask you to be ready to grow through each moment, knowing and trusting that everything is perfect and happening for our benefit.
There is no magic pill and we are not here to save you, but we are here to care about you and create a container for you to step up, step out of your normal life and way of living, and have an extraordinary experience here with us in Hummingbird Valley.
Also, please note that there will likely be some bugs. The spider can look scary, but that's just Wally and he's purely decorative. We ask you to be cool too and not try to kill or poison our friend Wally. So please leave the DEET at home and if you want to use bug repellent we ask you to opt for the natural alternatives. Thank you for your willingness and understanding to peacefully coexist with our tiny friends!