Olio Goes to Guatemala: From Antigua to Lake Atitlán

Olio's Home Away From Home

Guatemala has become an extension of the Olio ecosystem.

OlioTrips are open to everyone, and we foster the spirit of meaningful connections, new experiences, and a space where you can be at ease.

In 2024 we spent a month in Guatemala running two OlioTrips, and our favorite part, besides swimming in Lake Atitlán, was how our group got the chance to connect and bond with locals: the artists, musicians, business owners, and teachers we met along the way, the house parties and homestyle dinners we were welcomed into.

We're tied in with friends who run venues and community projects similar to Olio, and we've stayed in touch since the last trip. Those friends are onto all kinds of new projects, and they've told us that when we come back, this trip will be even better than the last.

Nothing leaves us more recharged and inspired than time in Antigua, followed by the quiet integration that Lake Atitlán offers. Our last trip there is what inspired us to open our own venue, and we think it's time that Olio goes back to Guatemala.

Our dear friend, Mayte Oliva, cultural producer, photographer, designer, and all-around lovely human being, will be with us for the entirety of the trip. She'll welcome and guide us through experiences we'd never see on our own, and have us belly laughing throughout.

The Flow of the Trip

Jan 15 – 19

Antigua

This time, we're settling into a gorgeous home in Antigua for the first half of the trip. Days are for workshops at our friend's artist residency, chef-prepared meals in a local architect's orchid garden, or wandering the dreamy streets of this UNESCO-listed town. Nights are for inviting artists and locals over for dinners and salons, dancing, renting out the local movie theater, and intimate house concerts.

Jan 19 – 22

Lake Atitlán

Then we move to the lake, where the pace slows even further. Some of us will relax and take it all in; others will join a sunrise hike or a cooking workshop. Either way, we'll share meals, play games, and make a new group of best friends before heading home restored.

Selfishly, we can't wait to go back, and we can't wait to share this world with you: swimming through the heat of the day, visiting our friends' studios and restaurants, and basking in community as artists and teachers we love come to us for house concerts and shared meals.

We've built this trip to move slowly, so that we come home recharged and inspired. Welcome to Guatemala!

Day by Day

Itinerary

A rough idea of what to expect, subject to change as we finalize details on the ground.

01Fri, Jan 15

Arrival + Red Materia

+

Arrive in Antigua and settle into our home base for the first half of the trip. Tonight we kick things off at Red Materia with the introduction to the incredible community space that our friend Sarah has built. We'll explore the artist studios, native garden, and vinyl listening room, followed by dinner with a chef on site. We'll cap off the night with a nightcap at Antigua's legendary Café No Sé.

Meals included: Dinner

02Sat, Jan 16

Comalote Lunch + Cumbia Night

+

Lunch at our friend Gabi's restaurant El Comalote. We'll enjoy Mayan dishes and a little history of corn in Guatemala, including how they're working with ancestral seeds to bring back heirloom varieties. In the evening, we'll enjoy a cumbia class at our home led by local artist Vampiro. He'll introduce us to the instruments that give cumbia its distinctive sound and some simple dance steps before we host a house party and invite the local community.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

03Sun, Jan 17

Coffee Tour + Oliver's Orchid Greenhouse

+

Start the day with a coffee tour and hike with De La Gente Coffee. In the evening, we'll head to our friend Oliver's gorgeous architect-designed home, complete with a one-of-a-kind natural pond and orchid greenhouse, for a tour followed by food and music. We'll learn about the home and all the plants along the way.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

04Mon, Jan 18

Caoba Farms + Movie Night

+

We'll spend the day at Caoba Farms for food and a tour with Mayte's good friend and plant lover Luis Plantas. We'll keep tonight easy ahead of tomorrow's travel day: a movie night at Casa del Río, where we take over our favorite local theater to watch an award-winning Guatemalan film.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

05Tue, Jan 19

Transfer to Lake Atitlán

+

Final morning in Antigua before we make moves to Lake Atitlán. Today's all about easing in. Around the boutique Casa Paloma Retreat Center we'll enjoy a main swimming dock, a wood-fired temescal, another dock for private massages and sunset drinks (with a swinging vintage cayuco boat), a rose-and-hammock garden, and a gorgeous living room with a fireplace for evening gatherings. All of our meals will be sourced from local farms and their own organic veggie garden. We'll chill out, relax, and play a few rounds of our favorite group conversation games.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

06Wed, Jan 20

Day Trip to San Juan la Laguna

+

A day trip across the lake to the colorful town of San Juan la Laguna. Here we'll visit weaving cooperatives and learn about the vitality of the Mayan culture. And Mayte swears the highlight of the trip will be an ancestral meal cooked by the legendary Esperanza.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

07Thu, Jan 21

Lake Day + Graduation Ceremony

+

We are all going to want to soak up every inch of this place on our last day. Swim in the lake, have a picnic, jump off a cliff or two, and then we close out the trip with a graduation ceremony of our own creation.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

08Fri, Jan 22

Departure Day

+

Inspired by Antigua and fully recharged from our time at the lake, we gather for a final breakfast before saying our goodbyes and taking everything we've gathered back home with us.

Meals included: Breakfast

Is This Trip For You?

What kind of traveler this is for

This trip is for people who want to experience Guatemala as if they were visiting a local friend, seeing places and meeting people you'd probably never encounter on your own. All of our guides and friends in Antigua speak English, so language won't be a barrier, but if you speak Spanish, all the better.

Enjoy the blend of curiosity and social life that defines an Olio: workshops and wandering by day, dinners, salons and house concerts by night
Are drawn to Antigua's mix of colonial streets, artist studios, and creative community
Want a good amount of unstructured time built in, not just a packed itinerary: space to wander, rest by the lake, linger at a long lunch, or follow a conversation wherever it goes
Enjoy small groups where you'll actually get to know everyone by the end, that's why we call it a family vacay
Are happy coming solo, most Olio travelers do, and the group itself becomes the reason you'll want to come on the next trip

In Their Own Words

Travelers from our last Guatemala trip

"Amigos, before I get back into my New York flow: Thank you so much for such a beautiful trip. It fulfilled so much of what I want all the time but especially what I need right now: time outside (and in the water, swoon); with people who are lovely and interesting who can take me out of my world; and getting out of my head and into joy, sun, and community."
Pilar

"Thanks to the Olio team for organizing, guiding, and supporting us during the trip! This trip surpassed every expectation I had, allowed me to fully pause my work life, validate things I've been thinking about, generate new work and non-work ideas, and enjoy and learn about everything we did."
Ritesh

"Shoutout to @think.olio and a very special group of people who provided me the space to experience and be witness to love, care, connection, joy, vulnerability, humility, healing, wonder, and so much goddamn fun. This trip was a beautiful life lesson in showing up, and letting life surprise you."
Nicole

Where We're Staying

Accommodations

Think boutique accommodations, not luxury, but definitely grown up and very comfortable.

Antigua

We'll be based at two gorgeous properties that are an attraction in themselves and also an easy walk into Antigua's UNESCO-listed streets.

Lake Atitlán

We move to our accommodations right on the lake, with gardens, hammocks, a pool, kayaks, and a private organic garden and meals.

Shared Room

$2,750

You'll room with another Olio traveler. If you're coming solo, we'll match you thoughtfully, most of our travelers come this way.

Save $100 each

Duo

$5,300 / pair

Coming with a friend or partner? Book together and each save $100 off the shared rate. Choose to share a bed or have separate beds.

Private Room

$3,350

Your own room for the whole trip, subject to availability. Room availability is limited. Book early if you're set on this option.

$500 deposit to reserve your spot. Balance due in full by Dec 1. Reach out for payment plan options.

Included

Accommodations (7 nights)
All breakfasts + 5 additional meals
Majority of workshops, tours, and activities
Transportation to/from activities
Tips for drivers & guides

Not Included

Flights to/from Guatemala
Meals not listed
Travel insurance
Personal expenses

Good to Know

FAQ

How many people will be on this trip? +

We're keeping the group small and intentional. Our trip last year to Guatemala sold out quickly, so if this feels right for you, don't wait too long to secure your spot.

I'd love to visit Guatemala, but I have some concerns about safety. +

That's understandable. Guatemala's past has shaped a certain reputation, but things have changed. Antigua and Lake Atitlán are vibrant, welcoming places to explore. We'll also make sure everyone feels informed and at ease once the group is together.

Is a week really enough time to experience Guatemala? +

One week gives you a powerful introduction to Antigua and Lake Atitlán's art, culture, and history, but we know it's just the beginning. If you have the flexibility, we recommend extending your stay to explore more of this incredible country.

How does payment work? +

A $500 deposit reserves your spot. The remaining balance is due in full by December 1. Reach out to us if you'd like to talk through payment plan options.

Who is Mayte, our guide? +

Mayte Oliva is a cultural producer, photographer, and designer based in Guatemala, and a dear friend of Olio's. She'll be with us for the entirety of the trip, welcoming us into experiences and connections we'd never find on our own.

Have questions or can't make these dates? +

Reach out to us at hi@olio.rsvp. We're happy to help.

Guatemala has become an extension of the Olio ecosystem.

Antigua

Lake Atitlán

Itinerary

Arrival + Red Materia

Comalote Lunch + Cumbia Night

Coffee Tour + Oliver's Orchid Greenhouse

Caoba Farms + Movie Night

Transfer to Lake Atitlán

Day Trip to San Juan la Laguna

Lake Day + Graduation Ceremony

Departure Day

What kind of traveler this is for

Travelers from our last Guatemala trip

Accommodations

Antigua

Lake Atitlán

Shared Room

Duo

Private Room

Included

Not Included

FAQ

Take the Plunge