Spiritual Experiences in San Marcos La Laguna for Wellness Travelers

San Marcos, set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Atitlan, is known as an energy vortex.

But what does this actually mean? What’s the spiritual scene like when you go there? 

That’s what I’ll be covering in this post! As a yogi and a woo-enthusiast, San Marcos was always a dream destination – I always hoped to travel here to practice yoga and tap into my spirituality.

I’ve been lucky enough to do this twice now, and can guarantee I’ll make an effort to return each year. But even if you don’t practice yoga each week or you’ve never heard of a sound bath, that doesn’t mean this town isn’t for you!

Everyone – from experienced practitioners to complete newbies – are welcome here and can find something to try to get out of their comfort zone.

At the very least, you just need an open mind and a willingness to try something new! So here are all of the different modalities you can find at the lake and where to find them in San Marcos.

Epic Spiritual Experiences in San Marcos

Yoga

Starting simple, you can of course find an abundance of yoga classes here. Not only that, but you can find pretty much any style of yoga that you’re interested in.

From vinyasa to ashtanga to yin, there’s something for everyone. You can also find more niche themed classes like heart opening flows or moving with the elements.

I personally love a slow flow and yin yoga, and there are plenty of classes like this that are suitable for beginners.

Or if you want to take it to the next level, you can find many classes that will push you to your physical limits. 

Here’s where you can practice yoga around the lake:

• Eagle’s Nest (the most epic views, early morning classes for anyone staying the night, a range of unique and specific classes to choose from)
• Sarnai (a newer destination that I love, rooftop views and vibes, small intimate groups)
• Ati hostel (close to the lake so nice lake views, not as frequent classes but also small and intimate)
• Eco Hostel La Paz (beautiful garden setting, have to pick out the yoga classes from the rest of the events, sometimes no show teachers)

Breath work 

Breath work is one of my absolute favorite tools and modalities that has gifted me the biggest clarity and emotional release. If you feel stuck, unsure, frustrated, or just in need of letting go, breath work is perfect for you.

Breath work is just as it sounds and involves breathing in certain patterns to stimulate your nervous system. The best part is that you are always in control – you can decide to rest or take a break if you feel overwhelmed, or you can breathe deeper if you want to experience a more intense “high”.

And you really do feel high from it! It’s incredible that this happens just from breathing. You can expect a range of emotions to pass through you – you may cry, laugh, scream. Or you may witness others around you experiencing this.

You can also experience physical feelings like tingling, numbness, weightlessness, heaviness, and more. If you work with a great guide and practitioner, they’ll guide you through this experience and create a safe space for you to feel whatever comes up for you.

And San Marcos is full of incredible breath work leaders. Here’s where you can usually find them:

• Eagle’s Nest (they usually have one or two sessions a week)
• Ati (occasional sessions, just check the schedule)
• La Paz (same here!)
• Around town (individuals will host breathwork sessions in other locations around town, check the WhatsApp groups or the posters around town for info)

Note: I recommend leaving time before and after your breath work experience to process. You may feel drained the rest of the day, or elated but physically slow. So drink lots of water and allow yourself to rest.

Mayan fire ceremony 

This is a beautiful and special experience you can have in town. Guided by a local Mayan community member, you can experience what a traditional fire ceremony is like.

Each one is different and will speak to different themes. You’ll get to participate in creating and giving offerings to the fire. It’s a very beautiful and special experience, and is a great way to reflect and connect with the local community.

Where to find it:

• Eagle’s Nest (not often, check the schedule if this is high on your list)
• Magic Beans House (this is where the practitioners at Eagle’s Nest are based so you can visit their own site as well, they have ceremonies more frequently)

Cacao Ceremony

Guatemala has a strong connection to cacao, having used it since the early Mayan civilization. Nowadays, cacao is still grown in Guatemala and is used for many healing purposes.

It is abundant around San Marcos! You can find it from the grocery stores to the cafes. Cacao ceremonies are actually a more modern invention, but they can provide a safe and expansive place to connect with yourself.

Cacao itself is considered to be a heart opener–it allows you to really connect with yourself and others as it’s a stimulant. Cacao ceremonies involve drinking cacao, doing some self reflection, and maybe some group connection.

Where to attend a cacao ceremony:

• Lavalove Cacao (a lovely cacao-based cafe that also hosts events)
• Any pop up events around the lake (take a look at all of the signs posted around the main street to find local and upcoming events)

Ecstatic Dance

Ecstatic dance is  one of the most popular experiences in San Marcos. If you’ve never tried it before, it’s a freeing experience! It’s usually a sober event where people move freely to the music and dance with the community. 

And San Marcos is the perfect place to try it. You can attend an event and participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable doing so.

The biggest two spots to try this out:

• Eagle’s Nest (yes, again – they have events for almost everything!)
• Gaia Dance Temple (this is located in Tzununa – a town just a short drive from San Marcos, you can grab a tuktuk to take you here and they have events every single weekend)

Circus Classes

In addition to yoga and healing experiences, San Marcos also offers circus classes! As a fellow circus artist (a story for another time) this warms my heart. 

You can absolutely be a beginner and try your hand at aerials or acrobatics. This is such a fun way to tap into your inner child, push yourself physically, and blend art and sport.

Here are some of the places you can try out some circus classes

• Eagle’s Nest
• Starry Mountain
• Unicorn Reborn

Other experiences

Beyond these mentioned experiences, there are endless possibilities and modalities for you to try. Most of them, you can find at all the previously mentioned locations such as Eagle’s Nest, La Paz and Ati. Here’s a short list of some of the other magical workshops and classes you can find around the lake:

• Women’s circles
• Sound healing
• Chakra healing
• Moon circles
• Constellation workshops
• Tantra workshops
• Tarot
• Meditation
• Energy healing and Reiki
• Acro yoga 

To find these experiences, visit the poster boards along Hippy Highway or joing Whatsapp groups to get the most updated information. And you can read more about what to do in San Marcos here!

Final Thoughts

Even though this blog post is quite detailed, this really only scratches the surface of what’s available for you to experience in San Marcos! 

And while I can list all of the main places for you to look for classes and events, there’s nothing like actually being in the community and finding them for yourself. The best way to find out about upcoming events is to join some of the local Whatsapp groups or browse the posters that plaster Hippy Highway throughout town. 

The other way to find out about events? Connections! San Marcos is very community focused and the more people you meet, the more events you’ll discover. 

So whether you’re like me and can’t wait to get your “woo” on, or you’re looking to open your mind with a new experience, San Marcos is the place for you to explore. Come with an open mind and be amazed at what might lay ahead.