Experience the Musical Scene in Lake Atitlán
Where sound becomes ceremony, and music is a way of life
Lake Atitlán has long been known for its mysticism, healing arts, and natural beauty — but tucked between the volcanoes and winding footpaths, a vibrant musical culture pulses quietly through its villages.
Whether it’s a barefoot jam session around a fire, a moonlit kirtan, or a fully amped dance party on a dock, music here isn’t just entertainment — it’s expression, healing, and community.
If you’re planning a visit, here’s your guide to tuning in.
1. 🔥 Sunday: The Sacred Rhythm of the Lake
If you’re anywhere near Tzununá on a Sunday, make space in your schedule — the local rhythm is unmistakable:
12pm-3pm: 🌺 Kirtan at Karuna Atitlán
Devotional singing that opens the heart, guided by musicians and visitors from all over the world.
Everyone is welcome — whether you sing, hum, or just feel.
3:30–8:30pm: 💃 Ecstatic Dance at Gaia Dance Temple
A barefoot dance journey with curated live DJs or musicians, nestled in a bamboo hall with jungle views and a powerful sound system.
Expect cacao, sweat, soul, and sometimes tears. It’s one of the most beloved weekly gatherings on the lake.
2. 🎤 Live Music & Conscious Nights Out
San Marcos and San Pedro are home to a variety of venues offering intimate live music shows, featuring everything from Afro-Latin fusion and reggae to medicine music and electronic beats.
A few favorite spots:
Del Lago (San Marcos): weekly jam nights and curated music events with local and traveling artists.
Blind Lemon’s (San Pedro): legendary underground vibe, sometimes hosting blues, jazz, or surprise late-night magic.
Circles Café & Bakery (San Marcos): acoustic nights, singer-songwriter sets, and pop-up performances.
3. 🌿 Medicine Music & Ceremonial Sound
Atitlán attracts sound healers, ceremonial musicians, and sacred songkeepers from all over the world. You’ll find:
Cacao ceremonies with live vocals, guitar, and native flutes
Voice activation workshops where you explore the power of your own sound
Sound baths with crystal bowls, gongs, and channeled chants
Medicine music circles with songs in Quechua, Spanish, and Nahuatl that weave prayer and earth-honoring intention
These events are often donation-based and take place in community temples, retreat centers, and open-air domes.
4. 🎶 Jam Culture & Open Mics
Don’t be surprised if your neighbor plays the hangdrum or your host invites you to a late-night jam.
Jam culture is alive and well, especially in places like:
Monday: Open Mic @ Emporium Ixchel (San Marcos)
Eagle’s Nest (San Marcos)
Shanti Shala and other sacred spaces around the lake
Bring your instrument — or just your open heart — and see what unfolds. Some of the most unforgettable music here is unplanned.
5. 🎧 DJs, Dancefloors & Electro-Mystic Vibes
Electronic music also has its place here — but don’t expect mainstream clubbing.
Lake Atitlán’s dance floors are often:
open-air, under stars or palms
infused with intention (think: cacao, sound cleansing, and prayers before the bass drops)
curated with sounds that blend tribal beats, organic house, downtempo, Afro, and jungle
Well-known local and international DJs often play at:
Gaia Dance Temple (Tzununá)
Eagle’s Nest (San Marcos)
✨ Come Listen, Come Play
Whether you’re a seasoned musician or someone who’s never touched a drum, Lake Atitlán’s music scene invites you in.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about presence.
It’s not performance — it’s participation.
So bring your voice, your rhythm, your curiosity. Let yourself be moved.
The lake will take care of the rest.
🎵 Planning a visit?
Our eco-lodge in Tzununá is just a short walk or tuk-tuk away from the best music gatherings around the lake.
We host weekly community events, jam circles, and occasionally invite musicians to offer concerts and sound journeys on-site.
