Megan Kline

Paint By Destination, an affiliate of Embark Beyond

Guatemala Plein Air Watercolor Workshop with Jean Francois Arnaud

Mar 6, 2025 to Mar 13, 2025
Guatemala

Join us for an unforgettable watercolor workshop in Guatemala with artist Jean Francois Arnaud March 6 - 13, 2025

Join us for a unique watercolor adventure, where you will plein air paint the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture of Guatemala. Picture yourself capturing the colorful colonial architecture of Antigua or the natural beauty of Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes. With expert guidance, you’ll enhance your skills while painting iconic scenes outdoors, inspired by the history and charm of these locations.

Beyond our workshops, enjoy curated cultural experiences like exploring Antigua’s historic streets, visiting local art cooperatives, and touring villages around Lake Atitlán. With luxurious accommodations and immersive activities, this workshop offers a perfect blend of art, culture, and inspiration in the heart of Guatemala.

 
On this land-based workshop, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours, delicious meals, and watercolor instruction. We always include a variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to spend your time. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder. Non-painters are welcome to join!

Who is this trip for:

  • Small Groups (~10 painters)
  • Painters of all levels
  • Non-painters are welcome

What's included in this trip:

  • Small Group Painting Experience
    • Daily painting and lessons
    • One-on-one instruction with world renown artist
    • Welcome reception with other students and meet-and-greet with the artist
    • Personalized service from on-site travel coordinator
    • Small private group setting experience
    • Free time for painting or sketching in all cities or leisure time of choice
  • Luxury Accommodation
    • 7 nights luxury accommodation in Antigua and Lake Atitlan
    • Daily breakfast included
    • On-site dining, spa services, fitness center, pools, and sun terrace 
  • Award-Wining Dining
    • Daily breakfast included
    • Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner
    • Coffee and snack station during workshop hours
    • Regionally inspired cuisine
  • A World of Exploration
    • Immersive tours in every destination
    • Knowledgeable guides
    • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
  • A Variety of Amenities
    • Personalized service from Luxury Travel Advisor before, during, and after the workshop
    • Pool and fitness center available on properties

What's not included:

    1. Airfare to and from the embarkation and disembarkation port cities
    2. Passport fees
    3. Entry visa fees, if applicable
    4. Baggage fees
    5. Travel, health, accident or other insurance
    6. Vaccinations
    7. Laundry
    8. Additional food and beverages outside of what is included
    9. Optional excursions or trip add-ons
    10. Gratuities or other items of a personal nature
 

Itinerary:

    • Day 1 - March 6 | Welcome to Guatemala: Upon your arrival in Antigua, you will meet your driver in the arrivals terminal at the airport and be transported to our hotel steps away from the heart of Antigua. Enjoy your private ground transfer as you explore the scenery of Guatemala in an air conditioned vehicle. Transfer time will be around 1 hour and 15 minutes. At your hotel, you will be greeted by your host and checked-in to your room. You can unpack and relax before the Welcome Reception with the artist and other attendees on the hotel rooftop in the evening.
    • Day 2 - March 7 | Antigua, Guatemala: On our first full day together, we will begin with a morning art class with Watercolor Artist Jean Francois Arnaud. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to put your painting to practice and explore the Old Town of Antigua. Our hotel is walking distance away from the historical center as well as many restaurants and shops.
    • Day 3 - March 8 | Antigua, Guatemala:  We will start the day with a half-day walking tour of Antigua. Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities. It is known for its Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once at the Central Plaza you will see some of the most distinguishable buildings of Antigua. Be sure to pack your sketchbook and plein air set-up, as this area of the city is known for its tree-lined streets and colonial buildings.
    • Day 4 - March 9 | Lake Atitlán, Guatemala:  Surrounded by Botanical Gardens, we head to our hotel in Lake Atitlán, situated ten minutes from the main town of Panajachel on what once was the estate of a family-owned coffee plantation. Upon checking in, enjoy the property's meticulously cultivated botanical gardens or take a swim in the infinity pool that overlooks Lake Atitlán and the majestic Atitlán, Toliman and San Pedro volcanoes.
    • Day 5 -March 10 | Lake Atitlán, Guatemala:  We will start the day with breakfast together and continue to our watercolor workshop on the beautiful hotel property gardens overlooking the lake and Guatemala's natural beauty. After your morning workshop, enjoy free time the rest of the day to explore the town of Panajachel, plein air paint in the gardens, or relax by the infinity pool.
    • Day 6 - March 11 | Lake Atitlán, Guatemala:  Today, we will tour Lake Atitlán and surrounding villages. Be sure to bring your sketchbook if you want to paint or urban sketch on-site. Our tour starts with a private boat transfer to two of the twelve villages that surround Lake Atitlán. You will get to see the villages of San Juan and Santiago, which are famous for their naïf art galleries, town murals and natural dyes textiles. 
    • Day 7 - March 12 | Lake Atitlán, Guatemala: We will start the day with breakfast together and continue to our watercolor workshop on the beautiful hotel property on Lake Atitlan. After the workshop, enjoy the property’s meticulously cultivated botanical gardens or take a swim in and a farewell dinner together in the evening.
    • Day 8 - March 13 | Departure Day: Today, we bid each other farewell and you will be transferred to the airport in a private, air-conditioned vehicle for your departure home.

Cancellation policy:

Deposit and Final Payment: To confirm this workshop, we require a deposit of $1,000.00 per person to secure your place in the workshop and accommodation. 100% of the deposit is non-refundable, and the remaining balance and final payment is due December 1, 2024. 

Cancellation Charges: In the unfortunate event a participant must cancel travel, notice must be made to the Agent during standard business hours or via email to megan.kline@embarkbeyond.com, which must include writing stating clearly and correctly each guest ’s name and a brief statement of the reason for cancellation. Other forms of notice are not sufficient. 

Cancellations received after the initial deposit has been paid will not receive any refunds from the non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 per person. Cancellations made on or after 95 days prior to the workshop start date of March 6, 2025 and after final payment was submitted are non-refundable. Cancellations received within 24 hours of vacation start date will be deemed as trip interruption, cannot be cancelled and are 100% non-refundable. The effective date of the cancellation is the date the Agent receives cancellation notice . A change in workshop date , name changes, the substitution of a participant or a reduction in the number of guests in a stateroom are treated as a cancellation in that all applicable cancellation charges apply. A reduction in occupancy is subject to a single supplement charge. All other cancellation charges are per-person, based on the cancellation date, as seen in the chart below.

You acknowledge that your cancellation will cause us and the Supplier difficulty in selling a replacement land reservation and workshop, and thus the cancellation fees described above apply regardless of whether your land reservation and workshop space is resold. You agree that any losses sustained by us and/or the Supplier in the event of cancellation would be very difficult or impossible to quantify, and the cancellation fees are fair and reasonable as liquidated damages.

Available Packages

Painter Fee
Unavailable as of December 1, 2025

$3,497.00
Deposit: $1,000.00 per person

Unavailable
This fee includes accommodation, tours, workshop costs, transportation, breakfasts, and other inclusions above. The fee is adjusted automatically based on the number of travelers. Please note: If you wish to have a private room, there is a single supplement charge of $875 additional per painter. 
 
The fees for private room versus shared room are outlined below:
  • Shared Room: $3,497.00 USD
  • Private Room: $4,372.00 USD
 
*Non-painters are welcome to join this experience of a lifetime! If you'd like to have a guest join you, please select the "Non-Painter Fee" below prior to proceeding with your deposit payment(s).

Extra Options

Non-Painter Fee
Unavailable as of December 1, 2024

$2,697.00
Deposit: $1,000.00

This fee is based on double occupancy (shared room) for a non-painter. 
 
Bring a guest with you on this watercolor workshop experience of a lifetime. Non-painters are included in all activities, meals, tours, and transportation. They are not included in the watercolor workshops.
 
All properties have a variety of on-site amenities for non-painters and are walking distance from the center of town. Your personal travel advisor will also be available to organize special requests and/or activities for non-painters during the workshops.

Single Supplement
Unavailable as of December 1, 2024

$875.00

Please select this option if you plan to travel solo and prefer a private room. This is a single supplement surcharge for a private room for a solo traveler.