
Return 2 Connection
An immersive experience taking place May 2nd-7th, 2025 in San Marcos, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan (San Marcos), Guatemala
Some places aren’t just destinations—they’re invitations to return to yourself. We’re heading to San Marcos, Guatemala for Return 2 Connection, an experience designed to awaken your sense of adventure, deepen your relationships, and reconnect you with what truly matters. Immerse yourself in nature, swim in crystal-clear waters, hike through lush landscapes, move your body with breathtaking views, listen to live music by the lake, and dance under the stars.
Available Guest Packages
-
Shared Room: $3,395
Ideal for solo travelers or friends, this space provides a cozy and inviting atmosphere where you can truly feel at home. Enjoy restful nights in our comfortable beds and connect with new friends as you create lasting memories together. We’ll pair you with a roommate, and each shared room features the comfort of a spacious king or queen bed for a relaxing stay.
Sign up by 3/16 to save $300 off your spot.
-
Private Room: $4,495
Indulge in tranquility and comfort in our luxurious private guest room, designed especially for solo travelers seeking a serene escape. This cozy sanctuary features a plush bed and stylish decor, offering a perfect retreat into your own space. With all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay, you can unwind and recharge in style.
Sign up by 3/16 to save $300 off your spot.




Let yourself be the main focus in a world full of noise and distractions.
Here is a glimpse into the experience:
Past Client Testimonials












Why Hope To Walk?
Hope to Walk is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable prosthetic legs to amputees in developing countries, enabling them to regain mobility and independence. Founded by Phil Johnson (featured in the photo up above), the organization has developed a groundbreaking prosthetic leg that costs approximately $250—significantly less than traditional prosthetics that can range from $10,000 to $25,000. This innovation allows Hope to Walk to serve a much larger number of individuals in need.
With a mission to offer prosthetic legs and renewed hope to the world, Hope to Walk operates clinics in countries such as Guatemala (their main international clinic), Honduras, El Salvador, Tanzania, and the Dominican Republic, where they fit below-knee prosthetics free of charge. In addition to that, the organization focuses on training local communities to produce and fit these prosthetics, promoting sustainability and self-sufficiency for long-term impact. This organization is proof that with hope, anything is possible.
Our Team for Return 2 Connection
-
Melissa Barto @melissabarto_
FOUNDER OF R2H & EXPERIENCE HOST
Melissa (aka Mel) is an artist, experience designer, and entrepreneur dedicated to curating transformative retreats. She combines her artistic talents with her passion for personal growth, creating experiences that reconnect people with their creativity and purpose.
-
Li Michelle @vetalli
EXPERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Li captures with intention to create time-capsules for the heart. Portals to connect to moments you want with you always. She has been professionally photographing since 2009, and has been featured in well known publications such as Vogue and Forbes Magazines.
-
Hayden Kasprowicz @thesavagefish
EXPERIENCE FACILITATOR
Hayden is a breathwork facilitator, event creator, and explorer of both the world around us and within. Hailing from rural Minnesota, he followed a deep instinct for more at 19, which led him to his true passion: breathwork. Guiding others through this transformational practice feels like his highest calling.
-
Max Faublas @maxmotions
EXPERIENCE FILMMAKER & STORYTELLER
Max is a filmmaker driven by a passion for storytelling and creating impact. As a creative partner of Hope To Walk, he captures powerful stories of lives transformed through the gift of mobility. Based in Lake Atitlán, Max brings his adventurous spirit and vision to every project — including this retreat, where he’ll guide participants through the inspiring experience of building prosthetic legs and changing lives.
-
Max Limon @tuluminatti
EXPERIENCE FILMMAKER & STORYTELLER
Maximiliano Limon is a producer, storyteller, and filmmaker dedicated to transforming ideas into impactful and engaging visual stories. With a strong eye for dynamic content capture and meticulous editing, he brings visions to life with passion and precision. His work blends creativity and technical expertise, crafting immersive and unforgettable visual experiences.
-
Alexis Tolentino @eiramsixela
COMMUNITY MANAGER
After experiencing the retreats firsthand, Alexis was inspired to contribute to the R2H community in a meaningful way. She helps guests feel at ease in a new space while ensuring everything runs smoothly and on time. Her attention to detail and commitment to creating a seamless experience helps cultivate the transformative environment Return 2 Human is known for.
The tentative itinerary:
-
• 3:00-3:30 PM – Arrival from local airport/accommodation
• 4:00 PM – Opening Ceremony
• 5:00 PM – Stretching w/ Mel
• 7:00 PM – 3-4 Course Dinner (plated)
• 9:30 PM – Connection Circle #1 -
• 7:00 AM – Workout
• 8:30 AM – Family-style Breakfast
• 10:00 AM – Artistic Workshop #1
• 12:00 PM – Breathwork #1 w/ Hayden2:00 PM – Lunch
• 3:00-5:00 PM– Free Time (optional Temezcal )6:00 PM- Tea w/Mel
• 7:30 PM – Plated Dinner
• 9:00 PM –Ecstatic Dance w/ Cacao -
• 7:00 AM – Morning Yoga w/ Guest Instructor
• 8:30 AM – Family-style Breakfast
• 10:30 AM – Head to Hope To Walk (yay ferry!)
• 4:00 PM – Return to venue.
• 5:00-7:00 PM- Free Time
• 7:30 PM – Dinner (plated)
• 9:00 PM – Early Bedtime (hike the next morning) -
• 3:30 AM – Wake Up Call
• 4:30 AM – Head to Indian Nose for Sunrise7:00 AM- Breathwork w/ Hayden
• 11:00 AM – Head to lunch and return to venue
• 1:00-4:00 PM – Free Time (optional Temezcal)
• 5:00 PM – Journaling Workshop with Mel
• 7:30 PM – Dinner (either at the venue or in town)
• 9:00 PM – Late Night Lake Party w/ DJ or music -
• 7:00 AM – Workout
• 8:30 AM – Family Style Breakfast
• 10:00 AM – Connection Circle #212:30 PM- Artistic Workshop #2
2:30 PM- Lunch
3:30-5:30 PM- Explore San Marcos/ Free Time
6:00- Letters of Hope followed by Closing Ceremony
8:30 PM- Dinner (plated)
10:00 PM- Late night tea table
-
7:00- Workout
8:30am- Breakfast
10:00am- Connection Circle #3
12:00- Everyone departs and bids farewell

“Rebirth means that what comes bears no resemblance to what came before. In the same way when we awaken, that which we become is not like that which we were. Once you’ve remembered, forgetting is gone – forever. We still have to live, we have to do the same things, but the indwelling consciousness is completely different.”
-Richard Rudd (GK #49)
FAQs
-
What makes a Return 2 Human experience truly special is its blend of physical activities, creative workshops, and nutritious, high-quality meals. Participants engage in workouts that challenge and invigorate them, while creative workshops allow them to explore and express their artistic sides. The emphasis on fresh, wholesome meals ensures that everyone feels nourished and energized.
This retreat experience becomes even more meaningful as we partner with the well-known nonprofit Hope to Walk, which works to gift prosthetic legs to those in need worldwide. A portion of each guest’s package cost goes directly toward providing a prosthetic leg, adding an extra layer of purpose to the transformative and unforgettable journey.
Our aim is to connect people to the world in a way that makes life feel brighter, more vivid, and beautiful—creating a profound connection to both self and others, and leaving a lasting, positive impact on everyone involved.
-
May 2nd-7th 2025 in San Marcos, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
-
The total cost includes accommodations, group activities, and all meals, with the exception of daily lunches (unless we are on-site during that time). Lunch details will be confirmed approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the experience, allowing you ample time to prepare accordingly. Please note that flights and additional extras, such as massages, souvenirs, and snacks, are not included. Any purchases made outside of the venue are at the client's discretion.
-
Absolutely! This will be our first co-ed experience since the summer of 2021. We welcome all individuals aged 21 and older to apply.
-
Our packages offer two distinct options to accommodate your preferences: single occupancy and double occupancy. The single occupancy package provides you with a private room, offering a peaceful, intimate retreat experience where you can unwind in solitude. Alternatively, the double occupancy package pairs you with a like-minded roommate, ideal for those looking to connect and share their journey. Both options are designed to ensure comfort and relaxation while fostering a sense of community.
Please note that double occupancy rooms may involve sharing a queen-sized bed or having your own single bed, depending on availability. If you have a preference, kindly indicate it on the form. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
To attend, all guests are required to complete a Guest Application Form. This allows Melissa to connect with you on a deeper level before you make any financial commitment, ensuring that this experience aligns with your goals. It also helps us maintain the safety and well-being of both the R2H team and every guest involved.
-
IxBalam, the Temple of Umbilical Arts, carries a profound significance—its name a reminder of the most innate connection we have ever known. The umbilical cord, our first tether to life, symbolizes our original bond to nourishment, safety, and existence itself. Long before we took our first breath, we were held, sustained, and deeply intertwined with the source of life. This temple honors that sacred connection, inviting us to remember that we were never separate to begin with—to return to the wholeness that has always been within us.
