Some travel moments stick with you—not because they were flashy or Instagrammable, but because they were real.
For me, the Mayan Fire Ceremony in the sacred caves above Lake Atitlán was that kind of experience.
I’m Rebecca Moy, a 27-year-old digital nomad from England. Over the past three years, I’ve travelled full time, living out of a backpack and working remotely from wherever I can find Wi-Fi (and good coffee). I’ve now visited 31 countries, but Guatemala is easily one of my favourites—thanks to experiences like this one.
I spent six weeks in the village of Santa Cruz la Laguna, most of it volunteering with Kayak Guatemala. This was part of a longer, ongoing nine-month journey across South America. One afternoon, while looking through local tours on Kayak Guatemala’s website, I spotted something different. A Mayan fire ceremony held in a sacred cave—not a wellness workshop or spiritual sound bath, but a living, breathing tradition.
I had no idea what to expect. But that was exactly why I booked it.
I travel for authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences—the kind that let you get under the skin of a place. And this one? It delivered.
The Journey Begins: Chicken Bus Chaos and a Quick Hike
We met in Panajachel, where I was introduced to Mario, our guide for the day. Several reviewers had already sung his praises, and within minutes I could see why. Warm, calm, and incredibly knowledgeable, Mario made you feel instantly at ease—even when loading you onto a chicken bus.
If you’ve never taken a chicken bus before, it’s a colourful, chaotic ride in a repurposed American school bus. Ours wound up into the highlands, rattling through villages and dodging potholes. The air was warm and dry, the landscape greener with every turn.
We disembarked and began a short but steep downhill hike through forest trails. It’s not long—maybe 15 minutes—but it does get your legs working. Fit travellers will find it easy; if you’re not used to hills or altitude, you might need to stop and catch your breath.
The return hike, back uphill, would come later.
First Glimpse of the Cave
The cave wasn’t what I expected. No bright colours. No grand entrance.
Instead, it was dark—blacker than black—stained by smoke from years of fire ceremonies. The air was thick with incense and history. Wax from previous rituals clung to the rocks. It felt ancient, sacred, and still very much in use.
Inside the cave, the shaman was already seated, his fire pit ready but unlit. Nearby, an assistant arranged candles in a circle. The candles themselves were colourful—each one representing a different intention—but they glowed small against the vastness of the cave.
We were welcomed in and invited to sit. Our group hushed instinctively. You could feel something shift.
The Mayan Fire Ceremony Begins
The ceremony was led entirely in Kaqchikel, the local Mayan language. There are two versions of this tour: one with a guide leading the ritual in English and Spanish (more personal and interactive), and another—the one I did—with a traditional Mayan shaman.
The shaman doesn’t speak to you directly. Instead, he leads the ritual in the way it has been done for generations. You are not the centre of the experience—you are a respectful observer and participant in something much bigger.
The assistant passed us candles to place into the fire—each one chosen based on what we personally wished to call in: love, strength, healing, clarity, protection. I chose a few that felt right in the moment.
As the fire caught, chants began. The shaman called out names (including mine—Rebecca Moy pronounced with reverence in a language I don’t understand) and made offerings to the ancestors, to the spirits, to the lake, to the land.
There was alcohol flicked over our heads. Smoke rose and wrapped around us. I felt my clothes collect ash. I didn’t care.
There was something deeply grounding about it. Not performative. Not curated. Just... real.
Who Makes This Possible
This experience isn’t something you’ll easily find in a guidebook. That’s because it’s highly protected by the local community.
Kayak Guatemala is one of the only tour operators allowed to offer access to this sacred space. Why? Because the owner, Lee, and his wife Elaine have lived in Lake Atitlán for over 20 years. They’re trusted by the community to offer tours with respect, care, and cultural integrity.
It shows. Nothing about this day felt transactional. It felt like being invited in by people who wanted to share—not sell—their heritage.
Why This Tour Was So Powerful for Me
I've done a lot of tours—some amazing, some forgettable. This one didn’t just stand out, it reframed how I want to travel going forward.
It wasn’t polished. It was raw, quiet, human.
It wasn’t about snapping photos. It was about listening and observing.
It didn’t make me the centre of the story. It made me a small part of something far more meaningful.
It’s easy, when you travel, to collect experiences like souvenirs. But the ones that stay with you? They usually come with context, connection, and a bit of discomfort.
This was all three.
If You’re Thinking of Going…
Here’s what to know:
Kayak Guatemala offers two options: the traditional ceremony with a shaman (no translations, authentic and powerful), or a more personal version led by a local guide who can include spiritual readings.
The hike is short but steep: Bring walking shoes and water. You'll hike down to the cave and back up afterward.
The ceremony is not for show: Be open, be respectful, and maybe leave your camera in your bag.
You won’t find this just anywhere: These ceremonies are rarely accessible to tourists. This is a rare opportunity to witness something truly sacred.
A Final Thought
When people ask me why I loved Guatemala so much, I think of this day.
Not the volcanoes. Not the sunsets. This.
A smoky cave, a circle of strangers, and a quiet fire carrying our intentions into the air.
It reminded me that the most meaningful moments aren’t always loud or planned. Sometimes, they’re hidden up a hill, whispered in a language you don’t understand, and guided by people who still believe in the power of fire.
Book the Experience
Kayak Guatemala offers this Mayan Fire Ceremony with or without a shaman. The tour includes transportation, a local guide, access to the caves, all materials for the fire, snacks, and a moment of cultural exchange you won’t soon forget.
