San Marcos La Laguna is a quiet town on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. The town has become a resort for all things spiritual, with several meditation, yoga, and massage centers. It's one of the most beautiful spots on the lake, and quite easy to lose a few days in.
The lake provides natural entertainment and great scenic views. If you are adventurous, climb some of the dormant volcanoes. At some of the highest peaks you are able to see the lake and all of the small pueblos that surround it. From the top looking down there is one of the most beautiful views in Guatemala.
- Rock Jumping - There are a series of rocks that can be accessed by foot via the shore of the lake. From there, its a long way down to the water. Swiping of wallets, cameras, and pants have been known to occur, so come with minimal items. To the right from the jumping platforms foreigners usually go skinny dipping. This seems to have been accepted by the local community.
- Yoga - Many places run early morning yoga programs, that are of minimal cost or free. Hatha dominates here.
- Akab'al Spanish School, +502 41 44 06 12. Study in a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere surrounded by nature. individual training US$4-$5/hr for 10-30 hrs/week. Add US$50/week for homestay.
San Marcos is the 'spiritual heaven'! There are enough yoga retreats and spiritual centers to fulfill anyones spiritual needs. San Marcos is the perfect location for pure bliss and relaxation. Majority of the activities are based around relaxation and connection with your spiritual self. It has a very laid back feel and culture with no obvious worries. It has been described as a place that "takes life as it comes".
There is still a very strong and authentic Mayan culture in existence within the town of San Marcos. Their culture is best known for its bright colors in its clothing, artwork and food.
San Marcos is also great for outdoor adventure. Because of the lake there is a very rich ecological reservation of many endangered species. The lake also provides direct pleasure with swimming, sailing, kayaking, and even cliff jumping. The most popular cliff jumping site is a ten minute walk from the center of San Marcos. If you are an adventurous type, there is a lot of hiking up and down volcanos, enjoying beautiful scenery of the lake from a high point and also great bird watching. Scuba is also available if you are feeling adventuresome.
This is a great place for some who is interested in culinary tourism: travelling around to find the freshest produce and cooking up delicious feasts with the use of only local items. San Marcos and the surrounding towns have many open air markets that provide fresh fruits and vegetables of all kind to the locals and tourists. The market Microdyn is particularly recommended.
San Marcos offers a wide variety of studios catered to the pure relaxation of the tourist. Many of the studios include yoga, reiki and massage. Many yogis often travel to San Marcos to practice their yoga at the highest level of peace and harmony. El Centro de Meditacion Las Piramides is an example of a yoga/massage/mediation 'camp', where the main focus is to get in-touch with your spiritual self and live in harmony.
For those workoutaholics, there is a local gym that accepts a monthly membership for 150Q or $22 American dollars per month.
San Marcos also houses one of the most harmonious massage clinics in all of Guatemala. It is located right next to the lake, so that massage clients can hear the sound of the water to make their experience more relaxing. The San Marcos Holistic Center is one of the most popular massage clinics in the area.
Rock Jumping - There are a series of rocks that can be accessed by foot via the shore of the lake. From there, its a long way down to the water. Swiping of wallets, cameras, and pants have been known to occur, so come with minimal items. To the right from the jumping platforms foreigners usually go skinny dipping. This seems to have been accepted by the local community.
Yoga - Many places run early morning yoga programs, that are of minimal cost or free. Hatha dominates here.
Akab'al Spanish School, +502 41 44 06 12. Study in a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere surrounded by nature. individual training US$4-$5/hr for 10-30 hrs/week. Add US$50/week for homestay.
There is a sustained Mayan culture in the town of San Marcos. The local Mayan culture in infamous for its brightly colored clothing and its rich cultural heritage.
- Moonfish- Excellent mostly vegi fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chai tea, the best, house-roasted coffee in the world, brownies made with their own cacao, sandwiches for Q25-30 (including grilled tofu or falafel), pizzas, salads from their garden, and more.
- Lush Atitlán/Hotel Aaculaax- serves a continental breakfast from 8AM-10AM daily, on a balcony overlooking the garden and the lake for 50Q.
- Los Pyramides- The retreat has a great little veggie restaurant open to non-guests.
- A number of health-food and pizza restaurants have popped up along the walk from the docks to the square, mostly catering to the foreign travelers.
- On the way from the dock to the square, there is a small fruit shop on the left, with fruit on display near the curb. Inside, a lady makes tasty sandwiches for Q10, and sometimes other simple foods. It's one of the cheapest options in San Marcos. They don't always have food - you'll have to drop by and see.
San Marcos is known for its vegetarian cuisine. The open air markets provide great, fresh produce for very cheap so if your interested you are able to find an array of ingredients to cook a home cooked meal.
Moonfish Cafe has excellent fresh fruit pancakes for Q10.
The street food is also very delicious. The vendors take full advantage of the local produce so majority of the offered dishes are vegetarian and all are fresh.
Allula is a Japanese sushi bar.
- El Dragón, Barrio Chinimaya (next door to Hostal del Lago, +502 4147-7787. Specializing in Argentinean-style grilled meats, gourmet burgers and pizza, European-inspired dishes, and tantalizing desserts. Vegetarian options also available. Very outside the norm for San Marcos because of their many meat options, European aesthetic and commitment to high-level cuisine. Definitely a place worth going before leaving San Marcos. A bit hard to find but they have a pathway leading from Hostal del Lago straight into the restaurant. Or you can use the entrance to the property connected to the dirt soccer field in the far corner closest to the lake. US$5-$15.
Moonfish- Excellent mostly vegi fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chai tea, the best, house-roasted coffee in the world, brownies made with their own cacao, sandwiches for Q25-30 (including grilled tofu or falafel), pizzas, salads from their garden, and more.
Lush Atitlán/Hotel Aaculaax- serves a continental breakfast from 8AM-10AM daily, on a balcony overlooking the garden and the lake for 50Q.
Los Pyramides- The retreat has a great little veggie restaurant open to non-guests.
El Dragón, Barrio Chinimaya (next door to Hostal del Lago, +502 4147-7787. Specializing in Argentinean-style grilled meats, gourmet burgers and pizza, European-inspired dishes, and tantalizing desserts. Vegetarian options also available. Very outside the norm for San Marcos because of their many meat options, European aesthetic and commitment to high-level cuisine. Definitely a place worth going before leaving San Marcos. A bit hard to find but they have a pathway leading from Hostal del Lago straight into the restaurant. Or you can use the entrance to the property connected to the dirt soccer field in the far corner closest to the lake. US$5-$15.