Owner/steward of Casa Paloma since 2001. Author of twenty books—including the novels To Die For and Labor Day (both adapted for film), Joyce first fell in love with Lake Atitlan at the age of twenty. Through her Write by the Lake and Life by the Lake workshops she has hosted hundreds of travelers to Casa Paloma—a labor of love.

Retreat manager. Originally from Germany, Tim spent over twenty years travelling the globe before choosing San Marcos and Lake Atitlan as the place to settle and raise his family. In addition to running a natural foods company—Shangrila Atitlan—and a coffee roastery (open to tours by our guests), Tim is in charge of organizing retreats and family gatherings at Casa Paloma.

She’s our chef, but so much more. Rosa and her team of Alex and Gaby, who prepare and serve three meals a day (including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for our guests, plus appetizers for sunset drinks) will not only tailor the menu to your choices—including a not-to-be-missed pizza night, using our wood fired oven—but also teach a cooking class, demonstrate the preparation and serving of traditional Mayan cacao, and so much more.

Lake Atitlan native Erika is running the reception at Casa Paloma. She is at the Center of of the team that welcomes you and takes care of you during your stay. Her expertise in the hospitality business and her bilingual back ground guarantee an easy and comfortable stay with us.

For over six years, Carmen has provided massage to guests at all of Joyce’s retreats and others at Casa Paloma. Certified in Thai massage, deep tissue massage and Shiatzu, she has been described by many of our guests as having provided them with “the best massage ever.”

Chief of Grounds. Miguel has been working to develop the facilities and gardens at Casa Paloma for almost fourteen years, overseeing repairs, construction, beach and dock, and so much more. Working with assistant gardener, Mateo TK, who makes sure every guest is met with a bouquet of flowers from our gardens, Miguel knows every plant, tree and flower on the property

When she’s not hiking, volunteering, or working on her swing at the local batting cage, Jenny handles all Casa Paloma business transactions in the U.S.

For 11 years Mateo has tended or two acres of gardens at Casa Paloma, propagating plants, pruning our roses and searching for orchids in the mountains. He’s also a terrific soccer player and father of a beautiful daughter, Estrella MyLady.

Based in Guatemala City, Marta—a fluent English-speaker—arranges the transportation needs of all our guests from the airport in Guatemala City to the lake (with a stop in Antigua, for those who choose.) For those who are interested in extending their stay in Guatemala, Marta can book additional tours or trips including the ruins at Tikal.

Gina Alligood is our Workshop and Retreat Coordinator working from Austin, Texas. After many years as an educator, she is now enjoying more time with family and friends. She assisted with the Spanish Immersion Retreat at Casa Paloma. Knowing from her own experience that the retreats are life changing, she takes great joy in helping others find their way to Casa Paloma.

Megan Woolsey is the Life by the Lake retreat coordinator working out of Carlsbad, California. As a 2022 Write by the Lake attendee, Megan finds joy in helping others have life-changing experiences at Joyce’s retreats. When she’s not managing daily life with her family (including teenage triplets), she is a freelance writer and editor.

Cindy is our Healing by the Lake retreat Director. An estranged parent herself, and former participant, she knows first hand the transformation that takes place during this retreat. Cindy’s personal healing at Casa Paloma inspired her to offer the same experience to other estranged parents. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and hosting gatherings for family and friends.

Our resident and friend!