Conscious Travel: San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlan | Guatemala
There are places in the world that feel like thresholds—spiritual vortexes that initiate you into remembrance.
San Marcos, on the shores of Lake Atitlán, is one of those places.
Nestled among ancient and active volcanoes, this sacred lake and potent land is revered by the indigenous Mayans as the "Navel of the Earth”.
Guatemala itself is a homeland of cacao—an origin place of reciprocal relationship and ceremony. While cacao does not grow directly on the shores of Lake Atitlán, its spirit is deeply present here. Throughout San Marcos, you’ll find cacao shared in reverence, sourced from nearby regions and indigenous lands. There are pathways that lead deeper—into the lush cacao forests, into relationship with the farmers and traditions, into the living lineage of Mayan ceremonial cacao.
It’s not just a place you travel to. It’s a place that calls you into initiation, transformation and awakening with reverence to the land and raw essence of nature. This place shaped Daughter of Earth and myself personally, over the years since I first visited in 2021. Here, some of our Daughter of Earth offerings were born—The conception of our Cacao Ritual Body Scrub, our Mayan Ancestral Ceremonial Cacao, Cacao x Pataxte and where I trained in Mayan Abdominal Massage.
This is a place rich with ancestral wisdom and the deep intelligence of the Earth.
Where to Land:
KULA MAYA - Lakeside Boutique hotel & Spa run by our friends at Kula Collective
LUSHATITLAN- Luxury apartments in a serene sanctuary with lake views
SARNAI- Luxury apartments with filtered water, book through air bnb
LA PAZ GARDEN GUESTHOUSE- peaceful garden space for rest and reflection with event space and sauna dome
Air bnbs or hostels in San Marcos, Pasajcap or Tzununa.
Restaurants
LUSH - Quintessential Brunch / Organic Locally Sourced Plant Inspired Conscious Cocina ~ Managed by Guatemalan Family offers sophisticated twists on typical Mayan Breakfasts as well as Chia Pancakes, Cacao and Herbal Exilirs.
KONOJEL RESTAURANT- Mayan-owned Authentic Guatemalan restaurant empowering the local women and supporting the local community with generous donations. ~ best pupusas + burritos!
CIRCLES CAFE & BAKERY - Freshly baked sourdough and pastries— if you’re lucky you can score a cacao sourdough bread if it’s not sold out!
NECTAR ART CAFE- Organic Food & Drinks with an adjoining natural food market you can order boxes of fresh produce delivered weekly.
THE HIDDEN GARDEN -Nourishing Garden Delights- Smoothies & Smoothie Bowls in a peaceful fairy-tale garden environment.
II GIARDINO- Hidden Oasis off of Hippy Highway with good Italian food and fresh pasta (we love the tuna steak)
LOVE PROBIOTICS- Housemade Kombucha, sauerkraut and fermented goodies. On Fridays they have Pizza Night made with sourdough crust.
LOCAL PRODUCE - support the local indigenous community and make home cooked meals.
What to do
Stroll & Shop & Socialize down Hippie Highway- Visit Floretsa Atitlan, who carries our products :)
Swim or take a walk down quiet trails with the most breathtaking views of the lake at Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve.
Taste Cacao from different farms at Cacao Source shop in the Emporium.
Brunch + Spa Day at Kula Maya.
Attend a Sound Ceremony or chanting concert at Casa Floresta.
Yoga Teacher Training withKula Collectiveor retreats with our fam at Casa Kula.
Cacao Ceremony and/or Mayan Fire Ceremony with Lava Love.
Mayan Astrology Reading with Mark at the Four Pillars.
Ecstatic Dance on Sundays at Gaia Dance Temple.
Mose Cacao Dance at Eagle’s Nest.
CBC Dance & Healing classes at Maltiox Dance Temple.
Check out the Apothecary & get an Herbal Bath at Casa Curativa in Tzununa.
Attend a natural dye workshop or shop local artisanal textiles, clothing and goods in San Juan.
Listen to live music + ceviche at Lush.
Attend a Ceremony, Workshop or retreat at Ix Balam.
Mayan Abdominal Massage Training with Mariu + support The Midwife Project.
Give back to the lake + connect with the land, volunteer or attend a lake clean up day with Water 4 Life.
Check the flyers around town for current events, services and offerings — trust your intuition and discernment.
A few ways to travel in integrity:
Honor Indigenous Roots
This land is held by Mayan communities. Support local artisans. Learn with humility. Listen more than you speak.Discern Your Spaces
Not all that is labeled “healing” carries depth or integrity. Trust your body. Choose what feels grounded and true.Tread Lightly
The lake is both sacred and fragile. Reduce waste. Use reusable vessels. Care for the land as you would your own body.Give Back
Make offerings to the lake in gratitude. Volunteer. Pick up trash. Listen to the Earth for how to be in right relation.Integrate
Leave space for stillness. Journal. Create. Rest. The medicine of this place can be powerful—and it asks to be felt, not rushed. Trust your time and process there will be exactly what you need.
If you feel the call, follow it. Let this sacred place change the way you walk in the world.
xx
Daughter of Earth
