How Kula Began
The concept for this luxury boutique hotel and spa was created by a group of friends operating within a unique circular, conscious business model, and designed by the brilliant Andrea Castillo from Arquitectura Adobe in Guatemala
Inspired by the natural diversity and the majesty of the wide open views of Lake Atitlan, this refreshingly original property offers impeccable, personalized service in cozy, yet opulent surroundings.
As part of our design, Kula Maya restored the lake front as a beautiful community garden complete with soft lawns, edible plants, shade trees and plenty of roses! In our near future, we have plans in place for a new Water Temple for community use, a place to pray for the land and give offerings to the water and a center for ceremony for all.
Learn how Kula Maya Gives Back
Designed as a water temple to honor the natural elements surrounding it, the property was masterfully engineered to provide the elegantly practical amenities of a high-end hotel, while minimizing environmental impact and promoting social regeneration…
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Interaction of Nature & Humans
Existing trees on the property were incorporated into the design and the main structure of the building was delicately built around these trees and natural air-filtering plants have also been included in the space. In the suites and spa, guests are sure to appreciate these features, that bring not only respect for the existing wildlife but also a rare kind of beauty inside. The functionality in the design shows the extent to which the spaces have been designed, thinking about the optimal use of the spaces and centered around an oasis of water and plants with a view of the San Pedro volcano.
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Thoughtful Design & Materials
The principal element is the pool and water ponds, which is the central element, with four domes with an exterior bathroom surrounding it. For the construction of the physical space, a combination of organic and traditional materials was used, such as adobe walls combined with slabs of steel and concrete structure. Palm roofs that integrate these different structures and bring an organic element and texture to the complex.
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Sustainable Community Involvement
Kula Maya’s community-focused business model has already funded and organized several social and environmental ventures in the local area. Our biggest project thus far is the Kula Maya Summit, which brings together local leaders for the purpose of discovering new collaborative solutions for positive forward solutions in the area. The hotel sources local suppliers for almost everything, ranging from food ingredients, to soap and linens, and art from local creatives; as well as trains and employs people from the local area with the intention of improving education levels and giving them valuable skills that can pay forward.
Give Back
Kula Maya’s community-focused business model has already funded and organized several social and environmental ventures in the local area. We have a dedicated branch of our organization focused on building sustainable ways to support our local community and
the environment of Lake Atitlan.
Our biggest project thus far is the Kula Maya Summit, which brings together local leaders for the purpose of discovering new collaborative solutions for positive forward solutions in the area.
Our newest project is focused around the Kula Maya Colab - a co-working space and community education hub within the Kula Maya model. This project will assist in the training of local Kac’quichel-speaking community members, fundraising for sustainability projects in partnership with other non-profit organizations such as Wellkind and Water4Life, as well as connecting visiting volunteers with local projects in need.
We are currently looking for donations and benefactors for the reforestation of Cerro Tzan’kil -
for more information and to find out how to help, please see here:
Sustainable Building Practices
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Kula Maya boasts a solar water heating system, made up of two panels and a hot water tank that stores and maintains previously heated water. The climate of Lake Atitlan allows us to take advantage of solar energy to heat the water used in Kula Maya Wellness. The water from the system is directed to the panels through specialized pipes and is heated to high temperatures, then stored in the hot water tank. There is an electric heating backup in case of days with little sun or rain, to ensure comfort for our guests.
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We use products of organic and natural origin for cleaning and servicing as well as throughout our spa, to preserve the useful life of the organic sewage systems. All the products found in your room are locally sourced and organically made, using essential oils and natural ingredients.
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The drinking water system consists of two sources, the first for municipal water and the other a submersible pump that carries water from the lake and cleans it. Both water sources have a general filtration system that allows us to purify water onsite without chemicals, eliminating sediment, chlorine, chemicals, bacteria and viruses present in the water, it consists of two tanks with filter media, the first is for sediment, the second is grain activated carbon and the last stage is a UV lamp.
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Kula Maya Wellness has a complex treatment system for sewage, meeting local standards. Gray water (from sinks, showers, dishwashers) and black water from toilets are separated. The gray water is directed to a natural filter and later to the infiltration field on the highest platform.
The sewage is directed by gravity to the biodigester system, where it is given a primary and secondary treatment of water purification by the process of sedimentation and anaerobic filtration. The already treated water is directed to a box and later a pump sends it to the highest platform and farthest from the lake where there is a natural infiltration field, which has a banana plantation that receives this already treated water and filters it through the roots.
Kitchen dishwashers have a grease trap, whose function is to physically separate the grease and solids from the kitchen wastewater, allowing easy access to them for cleaning, thus ensuring that the dishwasher water is cleaned of soaps and fats that can be damaging to the environment.
Kula Collective
Kula Collective offers yoga teacher trainings online and in sacred locations around the world. We offer a holistic, embodied and therapeutic lens to our trainings, intertwining empowered living, ceremony and community into every online or in-person session we have with our students. Through your own self-discovery and inquiry and our ongoing support and quality facilitation, you will uncover your unique essence as a yoga student and teacher.
Yoga Teacher Training with Kula Collective involves the study of yoga through a holistic lens. Students explore yogic history, philosophy, anatomy, meditation, asana, and facilitation, learning the art of teaching yoga with the guidance of a skilled facilitator. Trainings are offered through 30-hour, 200-hour, and 300-hour curriculum, in three different formats - immersion training, online training, and hybrid online/in-person. An in-person yoga training is immersive in nature and involves students living at a retreat center for a minimum of 22 days, following a yogic lifestyle. All of our YTT programs are 200 or 300 hour Yoga Alliance certified in order to guarantee the highest level of excellence and to ensure that your certification will be internationally recognized.
