Photos © Emily Ding

I guess this place attracts hippies as much as San Pedro does, but of the more health-conscious variety. No marijuana or cocaine here, it’s all about your spiritual well-being.

San Marcos is one of the many villages surrounding Lake Atitlán. It’s very beautiful, and much quieter than its counterparts. However, if you’re not into meditation or yoga or massages or emotional therapy or vegetarian food, one day spent here will probably be enough. However, I’m speaking from the viewpoint of a lone traveler; I’m sure if you have company, time will pass a lot faster here.

There are a whole cluster of signs to various hostels and restaurants near the dock where you disembark, but as they all seemingly point in the same direction they are unhelpful. But don’t worry, you don’t need a guidebook. Just be prepared to take a stroll and see things and you will find everything. From the dock, take a left, and follow the first fork up, or the second fork, or the third. Work your way around and you’ll find where everything is.

And if you want to get yourself into hippie pants and wander around barefoot, you wouldn’t look out of place either.