The Hippie Guide to Lake Atitlán
Welcome, traveler.
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably felt the pull of Lake Atitlán — that mysterious, magnetic call that whispers: Come home.
Here in the heart of Guatemala, ringed by volcanoes and ancient Mayan wisdom, Lake Atitlán isn’t just a place. It’s a portal. A place where many come to reconnect with nature, with spirit, with themselves.
In this guide, we’ll focus on two of the lake’s most beloved sanctuaries for seekers: Tzununá and San Marcos La Laguna — both within easy reach of our lodge, and both offering their own flavor of medicine.
🌿 The Energy of Lake Atitlán
First, a word about the lake itself.
Locals say that Atitlán is alive — a conscious being with her own energy. Some describe her as feminine, nurturing, and deeply purifying. Others feel her as a mirror: amplifying whatever you bring with you — joy, healing, grief, or clarity.
Many visitors come here not simply to relax, but to transform. It’s a place where you shed layers. Where the modern world feels far away, and the ancient rhythms of nature take over.
🌾 Tzununá: The Sanctuary
Just a short boat or tuk-tuk ride from San Marcos, Tzununá offers a gentler embrace — a place where the pulse of the lake slows down, and the space between things feels wider.
Tzununá holds a different kind of magic: one of integration, embodiment, and deep connection with the land. But don’t let the calm fool you — this village has its own rhythm, especially when Sunday rolls around.
That’s when the community gathers for what some jokingly call our “church”:
Kirtan at noon at Karuna — devotional singing and heart-centered connection,
Followed by the legendary ecstatic dance at Gaia, from 3:30 to 8:30pm — a ceremony of sweat, joy, and movement beneath the open sky.
Yes, people dress up, show up, and offer their prayers through song and dance. It’s not a performance — it’s a practice of presence.
Outside of Sunday’s celebration, it’s a place where inner work continues, but through the body, the soil, and the breath.
Things to experience in Tzununá:
Permaculture & Regenerative Living: Learn how to live in harmony with the Earth. Visit centers like Atitlán Organics or IMAP for tours, courses, and hands-on workshops.
Embodiment Practices: Join sessions in movement, breathwork, somatic therapy, or conscious dance — a grounded complement to the more heady spiritual work.
Sacred Silence: Watch the sunrise from the hills, journal by the lake, or sit quietly under the stars. Here, stillness isn’t empty — it’s alive.
Community Temples: From kirtans and moon circles to fire ceremonies and sound journeys, gatherings here tend to be intimate, intentional, and heart-led.
🌸 San Marcos La Laguna: The Portal of Awakening
San Marcos has earned its nickname as the spiritual vortex of the lake.
Here you’ll find a community of yogis, healers, musicians, and mystics who have gathered from all corners of the world. The village hums with workshops, ceremonies, and deep inner work.
Things to experience in San Marcos:
Yoga & Meditation: Dozens of centers offer daily classes, from gentle hatha to advanced kundalini. Yoga Forest, Eagle’s Nest, and East West Center are favorites.
Cacao Ceremonies: Tap into the ancient heart-opening medicine of cacao, often held in community with sound journeys, ecstatic dance, or breathwork.
Sound Healing & Temazcal: The lake seems to vibrate with every gong, crystal bowl, and drum. Don’t miss a traditional Mayan sweat lodge (temazcal) for a full-body spiritual cleanse.
Conscious Cafes: Sip adaptogenic lattes or fresh tropical smoothies at Moonfish, Hidden Garden, La Paz, or Il Giardino.
San Marcos is a place where conversations go deep — where small talk quickly turns into soul talk.
🌺 A Few Practical Tips
Getting Around: Tuk-tuks, boats (lanchas), or even walking between villages is easy and part of the magic.
Altitude: The lake sits around 5,000 ft (1,500 m). Allow a day to acclimate if you’re sensitive.
Respect the Land: Remember — this is sacred Mayan territory. Approach with humility and gratitude.
🌞 The Invitation
Lake Atitlán is not just a destination; it’s a teacher.
Many arrive thinking they are visiting a beautiful place — and leave feeling they’ve met a part of themselves they had forgotten.
If you feel called, we welcome you to stay at our lodge and begin your own journey here. Whether you come for yoga, healing, community, or simply to rest, the lake holds space for all.
Come with an open heart.
Let the lake do the rest.
