Our Residency Includes:

CODE OF ETHICS Arco Isis Sanctuary -  The following are guidelines and rules that you agree to abide by in order to keep our community safe, harmonious and happy during your stay. Failure to adhere to the code of ethnics may result in warnings or potential removal of participants from the sanctuary, without refund.

Who we are:

We are a transformational retreat center focused on personal development, yoga and movement practices, and other healing arts.  We specialize in Retreats and residencies for participants to learn more, grow and expand to their fullest potential.

What we are not:

We are not a drug rehabilitation center. We are not a psychological therapy center. We are not a specific religious center. We take guest applications on a case by case basis and carefully assess if we are the right space for you and your needs.

DO

1. Take responsibility for your feelings. If you feel upset, talk about it! We are here to help

2. Clean up your mess! Do not leave backpacks, personal items, items of value (IMPORTANT) in common areas

3. Keep your valuables in your private locker. This is your ONLY guarantee that they will be safe.

4. Take space when you need it. We are in a powerful transformational vortex and integration is always helpful. You don’t need to attend every workshop or event

5. Be aware of your impact- keep common areas clean. Return cups and dishes/silverware to the kitchen.(PLEASE!)

6. Save water!!! We have drought like conditions Jan. - April. Keep showers to 5 minutes.

7. Let us know if you have any issues/concerns.

8. Practice consent in all social interactions.

9. Practice good boundaries own your “yes”, own your “no.” 10. Please pay your remaining deposit before arriving to the sanctuary

DO NOT

1. Do not bring food, cups or snacks to your room. (Cups get lost, snacks attract bugs!)

2. Do not smoke in the kitchen, platform, anywhere inside, or high traffic communal areas outside

3. Do not bring friends who are non residents to visit outside of sanctioned events. No guests sleeping over.

4. Do not wear shoes inside the yoga temple.

5. Do not use any of the massage tables or equipment without permission.

6. Do not use the free weights/gym equipment without permission.

7. No loudness or amplified music after 9pm. No acoustic music after 10pm

ABSOLUTELY NOT (will result in removal from premise)

1. Absolutely No sharing what has been shared in authentic relating circles/men’s/women’s groups

2. Absolutely No stealing, taking communal items into personal quarters, taking snacks without paying

3. Absolutely No Alcohol/intoxication. No drugs. No psychedelics outside of sanctioned ceremonies. No offering or distribution of drugs or plant medicine/psychedelics on the premises.

4. Absolutely no Dogs. No adopted dogs, no outside animals allowed.

5. Absolutely no flushing paper down the toilets.

6. Absolutely no nudity. (To respect local customs)

7. Absolutely no violence, threats to another person, nonconsensual behavior.

Congratulations! Here’s what’s next:

1. Pay your 50% deposit, or in Full! With Paypal or Venmo, send payments “to friends and family” to [email protected] In the comments section, write your full name so we know who you are! Full payments are due BEFORE you arrive to Guatemala! This makes it easy to drop in and enjoy when you get to the sanctuary!

2. Book your flight! Fly to Guatemala City La Aurora airport. We have the best luck with tickets using skyscanner.com, especially if you don’t mind spending extra time for budget travellers! We also use google flights, and cheaptickets.com. We have the best luck with skyscanner! We recommend booking flights that arrive in Guatemala before 1pm if you are taking a public transport to san marcos, or by 5pm if you are taking a private car! We can help arrange private cars ($100)- public shuttles are available at the kiosk right outside the airport doors ($30) and are efficient and comfortable! If you are arriving in Guatemala City later than 8pm we recommend booking a hotel near the airport www.booking.com and making travel arrangements the next day! Hotels range from $25 (budget) to $110 (premium). Guatemala city is a major international metropolitan city, there are Marriots, Hiltons, etc.

3. Send your flight info to [email protected] :) If you want a private car ($100) we can arrange that for you!

Whether you are on a private car or public shuttle, your destination is San Marcos La Laguna, Lago Atitlan.

1. Once you arrive in San Marcos La Laguna, your destination is barrio 2 Shangri La Atitlan. You take a tuk tuk to Barrio 2 (10q-20q depending on size of baggage ($1.50-2.75). Shangri La is a meetup point for Arco Isis Sanctuary, and also where we roast all of our coffee! Tim and Osnat and the Shangri La team are amazing, and they have bliss balls and drinks for sale (and coffee!) when they are open during normal business hours! THERE IS FREE WIFI AT SHANGRI LA ATITLAN.

2. Contact us (Matthew Michael, Travis Suepke or Rhabb Nidhan Chander on fb messenger) OR 1-828-417-2960 via whatsapp, and we will send our boys down to help carry your luggage up! It is a 15 minute hike, TAKE IT SLOW, you are at a higher altitude than you may be used to, and enjoy the views! WELCOME HOME!!!

In order of Importance:

1. 1 combination or key lock for your personal storage locker

2. Warm clothes for night time (as cold as 50F)/ bathing suit/ good hiking shoes/trail runners/warm socks/ hat for nighttime /Active wear for Yoga/Dance

3. Flashlight/Headlamp, Writing Journal and Pens, Eco Friendly Toiletries/Shampoo (Dr. Bronners, Organic Shampoo/Conditioner)

   OPTIONAL:

4. Bug spray (bugs/mosquitoes aren’t bad on the mountain where we live, unless you KNOW you are a magnet)

5. Earplugs (occasionally there are distant church gatherings at night, distant dogs barking, fireworks (especially during Christmas and New Years eve) If you are a sensitive sleeper earplugs can come in handy!

6. Rifle Muffs! (These are a step up from ear plugs, we recommend these for MEDITATION, it’s a pro technique used by expert meditators, NOT noise cancelling headphones, can buy at sports stores/gun stores. You can hear your heartbeat with these and literally tune out the rest of the world.

7. Phone Chargers, all the things on YOUR list! :)

8. Medicine - We have a full first aid kit, though with any travelling in Central America we recommend the following: small hand sanitizer, Grapefruit seed extract/activated charcoal (For any digestive issues).

Lake Atitlan is fairly rural and out of the way from cartel/gang activity and drug trade routes! That said, we recommend the following:

• Don’t leave your valuables unattended when travelling in Central America - petty theft is the most common annoyance - “If you leave the food out the cats will come and eat.” Keep an eye on your belongings and always use locked hotels/hostels with good vibes and security - nearly all reputable places have on site security.

• Arco Isis Sanctuary has on site security 24/7 and our team is trustworthy! We also have dogs on site that are kind to friendly people!

• Coming up the mountain at night? Bring a buddy! - Most theft is opportunistic and strength in numbers prevents any ideas from any thieves looking to cash in on an easy heist! Don’t travel alone at night! Message us from Shangri-La and our staff will come and swoop you up after hours or during the night if you are coming home late!

• Use Your Intuition! Often times we can avoid unsavory situations by making decisions with a clear mind! Use your head!

• Lastly, don’t worry! We call Guatemala and Lake Atitlan home and feel safe here!

• No Pets! We’ve got all your pet pal needs on site :)

• No non prescription Drugs or Alcohol! NO CANNABIS! It’s still very illegal here and can ruin your experience! We love Cannabis - we don’t love police that exploit tourists by catching a bag of pot in their bag!

• No Entheogens for personal consumption! We are staying organized with the conscious and intentional use of entheogens for healing. It is important to note that Living Heart Alchemy is not a place to enjoy plant medicine outside of the planned ceremonies! If you are interested in communing with the sacraments we will do our best to provide a safe and sacred environment to get the most out your experience and integration!

We can only thrive if we ALL thrive. Our goal is to make your experience in Guatemala a win/win for all!

We are deeply connected with our local Mayan community, and over the years have developed amazing relationships with a number of local families that we support (and support us!)

The local community here is predominantly a tourist-based economy.  Many mayans here work in tourist-related areas from tours, stores, restaurants, and centers like ours! 

The coronavirus pandemic had deeply devastated the local economy in San Marcos.  Gratefully, it has begun to open up again since last November and we are seeing a very open and free Lake Atitlan, with a rekindling of opportunities for employment!

We at Arco Isis Sanctuary pay our staff above the local average, give paid vacation, sick leave, bonuses, and treat our team as family! We often give small loans at 0% interest to locals, exchange favors for trade and have pledged 10% of our profits to local non profits!

The main non profit we support is Fincas Buenas- they are a small, grassroots 501c3 that performs a variety of aid in town which mainly consists of building and renovating homes for many locals who can't afford or don't have the ability to work.

Coming to Arco Isis Sanctuary is not only a win for you- Your money and energy is directly going to support families in need and also families to thrive!

Arco Isis Sanctuary welcomes all people from all backgrounds- we do not judge based on race, color, sexual orientation, religion or any other factors.  Our way is to be kind to others and treat people with the same respect we would wish to receive!

Here it is!  Everything you need to know about Coronavirus policies and protocol!

1. Testing to enter/exit Guatemala

There are longer testing requirements for entering/leaving Guatemala. Please check with your own home country's requirements, or through countries for travel.

2. Do we wear masks in San Marcos La Laguna?

-No. No one wears masks in San Marcos la Laguna. You can if you want and you won't be judged if you do.

3. What happens if I get ill?

- Testing is offered in the next village over to determine infection of covid-19.  If a guest feels sick, we are able to offer them special accommodations that are private and separate from the rest of the community.  If a resident becomes very ill, we are able to provide services and transport to escort them to the hospital in Solola.  To date, there have been very few confirmed and only minor cases in the San Marcos la Laguna valley.

4.  I am vaccinated!  Do I still need to take a covid-19 test?

-Quick answer- No!  As of May 5, 2021 travelers who have proof of vaccination can use that in lieu of a covid test going both TO and FROM Guatemala! Yay!!

5. What else?

We at Arco Isis Sanctuary are doing our best to create a clean, safe, and sanitary environment for our guests and residents.  We have plenty of outdoor space, and 90% of our offering spaces are outdoors.  We invite you to check in with yourself if you feel safe coming to Guatemala, if you feel confident in your health and body's natural immune system, or are willing to assume any risks to come, including possibly contracting covid-19.