Shukubō is the Japanese tradition of staying at a Buddhist temple to experience the simple, mindful rhythm of monastic life. While La Casa de Loto is not a traditional monastic temple, it is a modern lay retreat inspired by this tradition—a peaceful place to slow down, practice meditation and yoga, and reconnect with yourself.
Absolutely. No previous experience with meditation or yoga is needed. Our retreats are designed for complete beginners as well as experienced practitioners.
What makes La Casa de Loto different is its simplicity. Rather than offering a packed schedule of activities and talks, we create the conditions for genuine rest and introspection.
Like a shukubō (temple stay), our retreat invites you to simply settle into the quiet rhythm of contemplative life. Each day is gently anchored by guided open awareness meditation, 2 hours of traditional Hatha yoga and pranayama, silent sittings, and nourishing vegetarian meals. We observe noble silence each morning until 2 p.m., before easing into optional relaxed conversation during afternoon free time and around the evening fire. As night falls, the retreat naturally returns to silence.
A reasonable level of mobility is recommended. As we're located on a mountainside, there are stairs and uneven paths throughout the property, making it less suitable for those with limited mobility.
Yes. La Casa de Loto is located in the peaceful mountains above Guatapé, one of Colombia's safest and most welcoming destinations. Many guests travel here on their own and feel completely at ease.
To confirm your reservation, we'll send you a secure payment link for a 50% deposit. The remaining balance is paid upon arrival by card or through another secure payment link.
Deposits are non-refundable, but we're happy to move your reservation to new dates if you let us know at least 10 days before your retreat begins.
We're located in the mountains outside Guatapé — about 80 minutes from Medellín International Airport, or 2 hours from Medellín city (El Poblado). We're happy to help arrange a private driver (approx. 220,000 COP from the airport, or 300,000 COP from El Poblado), or you can take a bus or Uber to Guatapé and catch a tuktuk (locally known as a "moto chiva") from the main square — every local driver knows how to find us. Please note there is no parking on site. Message us on WhatsApp before you arrive and we'll help coordinate everything.
Check-in is from 2 PM, and check-out is at 11 AM. Stays require a minimum of three nights. With no more than ten guests at a time, we offer an intimate, unhurried retreat experience.
We provide yoga mats, meditation cushions, filtered water, laundry service, a small library of spiritual books, and shampoo & soap. We recommend bringing comfortable clothes for yoga, warm layers for the evenings, a swimsuit for the mountain brooks, a refillable water bottle, a raincoat and waterproof shoes, mosquito repellent, and a headlamp for walking at night. Please note you'll carry your own bags up a trail to your accommodation.
Yes. All our meals are vegetarian, and we're happy to accommodate vegan, gluten-free, and most other dietary needs or allergies — just let us know in advance so we can prepare accordingly.
While there are no strict rules, we highly recommend keeping your phone switched off or in airplane mode for most of your stay — one of the simplest ways to experience the deep rest and clarity many guests come here for.
No prior meditation experience is required — come as you are. That said, if you'd like to arrive with a bit of groundwork, we recommend these three books as gentle, accessible companions:
— The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
— When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
— Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chögyam Trungpa
Beyond reading, the best preparation is simply an open mind and a willingness to slow down.
A retreat is traditionally a time of stepping away from the distractions of everyday life to turn inward and cultivate wisdom, awareness, and inner freedom. For centuries, seekers in the Himalayas and other contemplative traditions would withdraw into nature, spending time in solitude and dedicated practice to understand their minds and discover deeper truths.
At La Casa de Loto, we honor this tradition by creating a space to slow down, practice meditation, experience silence, and reconnect with the nature of your own mind.
Still have a question we didn't answer here? Message us directly and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
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