Welcome to a new adventure in Holistic Health!
The San Marcos Holistic Cottage is an excellent place to commit to spending some time
while visiting San Marcos La Laguna.
Whether you are beginning your vacation and need to unwind,
are in need of a final touch of balance before you head onward,
or want to stop and learn Holistic Therapies, there is something for everyone at the Holistic Cottage.
However, be prepared, there is much to learn, receive and experience here.
As the saying goes, "you may come for lunch and stay for life!"
The San Marcos Holistic Cottage is an excellent place to commit to spending some time
while visiting San Marcos La Laguna.
Whether you are beginning your vacation and need to unwind,
are in need of a final touch of balance before you head onward,
or want to stop and learn Holistic Therapies, there is something for everyone at the Holistic Cottage.
However, be prepared, there is much to learn, receive and experience here.
As the saying goes, "you may come for lunch and stay for life!"
With Katherine
Full Body Massage Reiki Internationally Certified Touch For Health
Indian Head Massage Creative Energy Work Full Body / Swedish Massage
Kinesiology Foot Reflexology
Reiki Level I - Master
Indian Head Massage Creative Energy Work Full Body / Swedish Massage
Kinesiology Foot Reflexology
Reiki Level I - Master
Looking for the gift that keeps on giving?
Traveler's Trio of Holistic Tools
Three Courses that travel with you wherever you go.
No need to cart a heavy massage table with you!
These modalities can be done for fun, for trade and even to earn some cash
while you travel and explore the world your way.
Reiki I |
Foot Reflexology |
Indian Head Massage |
Receive Q300 off each course when you sign up for all 3 Courses!
2 students required
Or sign up with 2 friends and receive all three courses for Q3000
Course runs from December 5th to 15th
3 hours a day either 10 to 1pm or 2 to 5pm
How to Find the Holistic Cottage
From the main dock walk up the path and take your first left at the corner. Pass Las Piramides garden and follow the path until you get to the secondary rock sidewalk. Turn right and walk up about 50 meters and here we are!
OR get off the boat, turn left and walk along the beach pass Tul y Sol and then to VIDA. Follow the path from Vida up about 30 meters. It is a bright blue building with a sign on the outside.
You can sign up for treatments by writing your name in the times provided on the door.
Come in and leave a message if you need further assistance or would like to sign up for a course.
If the door is closed then it means we are closed and you can email to arrange your appointments.
See you there!
Tips to surviving high season in San Marcos
The onset of high season is upon us. Yup, whether you like it or not the population in town is about to triple. From now to around the end of March the town will likely be flooded with tourists and people escaping cooler climates to spend some time in the land of eternal spring. While the season generally brings a lot of tourist money to the town, here are some tips to make your experience and the town’s experience a little more pleasurable for everyone.
1) If you want a place to stay it is best to make reservations. Hotels and AirBnBs fill up fast, especially over the Christmas season. While some places do take walk ins, many people end up staying in San Marcos a lot longer than expected so, plan ahead.
2) Your money has power. Support established businesses and people who are here year-round that give back to the community.
3) San Marcos is termed the “spiritual community” around the lake. However I can assure you those running around telling you how “spiritual” they are, are the least conscious people here. Most show up for a few months, set up their “business and therapy centers” earn some cash and then move on to their next destination. Many copycat anything and everything that exists here year-round. Taking away from established businesses. This would not even be possible in most first world countries as the paperwork alone would take months to organize and be approved.
There are many opportunities to learn here, to participate in activities, training and events. Use your judgement and intuition to find the right people for you. When in doubt, ask around for recommendations.
4) Sexual Therapies are illegal in Guatemala. If you choose to offer these services, or are being offered these services, be aware that there is a fine line between therapy and abuse. No means NO in both English and Spanish. Abusers will be held accountable for their actions.
5) While pretty much any conversation can be had in San Marcos, it is best not to have them on the 1.5-meter-wide Hippie Highway (main path). It is the main path and people use it to get to where they need it to go. Culturally, it is rude to walk between people so please move to the side or go sit somewhere to talk about how interconnected we all are.
6) There are generally three price tears in these parts, tourists, residents, and locals. Tuk Tuks and boat prices are regulated and posted at some of the docks. If you can’t afford the extra Q5 to get to San Pedro, DON’T GO. Just because you have been here before or for a week does not make you a resident. If you can get away with paying less, fabulous, be grateful, but quite frankly it is embarrassing to hear and see people arguing over 80 cents. Some places, like Pana, treat everyone much more equally when it comes to pricing. Here, it is not always the case. Try to get informed of how much tuk tuks and transport costs are so at least you can find another driver if someone is totally trying to rip you off.
7) Same goes for produce, if you are being charged unfairly, don’t buy with those vendors. They must make trips to surrounding markets themselves to bring goods here. The extra few q that you may save will be spent on your transportation costs. Again, you have free will, so feel free to use it.
8) The Quetzal is the currency in Guatemala. Dollars are becoming harder and harder to change. Banrural only accept pristine $50 and $100 notes. Any rips, marks or stains will not be accepted. Dollars are almost impossible to change in the city so if you need to change them, Pana and San Pedro are your best options. Il Giardino, Fe and a few other places may change them in town.
9) There is an ATM in town. At times people have reported issues with it so if you are going to use it make sure you can see your account online to double check security. If there is a problem, call the bank immediately and report it.
Xoom is getting to be more popular for money transfers but only works with USA accounts. Wise is a bank-to-bank transfer service that some people seem to use.
Bitcoin is now accepted by some vendor, hotels and other businesses. The Emporium has a Bitcoin ATM.
10) Most crime that happens here is avoidable. You do not need your ATM card, passport or hundreds of Q with you while you are swimming, hiking or at any big event. Leave your valuables at home, locked safely away if possible. You are in a third world country and have a lot more than most that live here. So if you want to leave your phone or computer on your bed with your door unlocked while you leave the room, go ahead, but, do not be surprised when it is gone by the time you get back.
11) If a crime happens, please report it to the police. They are located behind the school which is behind the stage in the Central Park. In one of the “files” on the community page there is a list of emergency numbers if you are in need of assistance.
12) Follow your intuition. If a situation feels wrong or uncomfortable you do not have to be polite, get out of it. Your boundaries are yours, no explanation needed. Ask for help and watch out for each other.
13) Get dressed in the morning and stay dressed while in public places. You are a visitor in an Indigenous community where girls were not even allowed to wear shorts to play sports 10 years ago. When you see the majority of Indigenous women walking around in booty shorts and in their bras and the majority of men walking around shirtless or in Speedos, by all means, feel free to do the same.
We are not on an island, this is not a beach town, so unless you are physically at the lake just, please put some clothes on. You would not sit on a train in India wearing your bra and underwear so please, as “world travelers” have the respect to dress while here.
14) Bathe – a no brainer for most… No shower? Well, you are at the lake so no excuses. While you may not be repelled by your own body odour others may be. It is one of the biggest and most stated complaints of the local community. There is no need to smell, and Patchouli Oil can only do so much.
15) “High” Season refers to the amount of people here, not your state of consciousness or lack thereof. If you are choosing to engage in recreational, hard core or medicinal drug use, please be advised that it is not legal here. Police say they have a right to search anyone, at any time, just because you are in an area where marijuana use is prevalent. There is absolutely no judgement here, just giving you a heads up that you want to keep it out of public places to minimise your chances of having a run in with police. You may be here short term but long-term businesses will be held accountable for your choices if you get caught in their premises.
16) It is incredibly sad when we must call your parents or your embassy to come and get you after a bad trip or plant medicine experience. So, please, make responsible, discerning choices with those who are well trained, experienced and have incredible respect for the plants they are using.
17) A smile goes a long way in these parts. Especially if you do not speak Spanish (which by the way is also the second language for the Indigenous people who live here.) Communicate by smiling and at least make an attempt to learn a few words. An effort is always appreciated.
If you choose not to speak Spanish, just so you know, talking louder and yelling at people in another language does not help them to understand. I am willing to bet that you have had more opportunities to learn a second language than the people here. For most, English is their third.
18) If you fall in love with a four-legged fury friend while here, they are yours for life. If you are not planning to take them with you when you leave then please do not adopt them, feed them, give them love and then abandon them. It is unfair to the animals, the restaurants they will later frequent for food scraps, and the long-term residents to care for them once you have deserted them. If you want to help care for street dogs, there are sterilization clinics and a dog rescue project in Tzununa who would be happy to accept donations and help.
19) Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Aware and please…
20) Don’t be an asshole.
San Marcos has so much to offer. So explore, get involved, have conversations, ask questions and most of all be the change you want to see in the world. Your experience is up to you, so open your heart, expand your mind and connect. Wishing everyone a safe, fun filled, inspirational journey.
Looking for the perfect gift for someone special?
Gift certificates are available for massages, treatments and courses.
Can be paid for in person or via paypal.
Just contact us to complete this special purchase!
Gift Certificates are valid until they are spent and are not redeemable for cash.
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Are you ready to GROW?
Sometimes I think about my past and think I wasted a lot of time doing not much of anything.
Maybe I needed to be still in those moments and was not ready to take a leap of faith into the unknown.
Or, maybe I was just scared. Being comfortable is easy.
Now I am over it. I feel like I wasted time when I could have been learning, growing and offering my gifts to the world. I am done playing small and ready to GROW!
I have been in Guatemala for almost two decades and am not in touch with who the leading experts are but if I am going to learn, I want to learn from the very best!
Already two weeks into this program I have learned a lot about confidence and been introduced to many new ideas and PRACTICAL ACTIONS I am taking everyday to improve the quality of my life.
I am so looking forward to spending the year growing with experts pulled together by Brendon Burchard.
There is so much to learn and to share.
If you want to be part of this amazing community here is a link to get you started!
The Time is Now! Let's do this together!
Maybe I needed to be still in those moments and was not ready to take a leap of faith into the unknown.
Or, maybe I was just scared. Being comfortable is easy.
Now I am over it. I feel like I wasted time when I could have been learning, growing and offering my gifts to the world. I am done playing small and ready to GROW!
I have been in Guatemala for almost two decades and am not in touch with who the leading experts are but if I am going to learn, I want to learn from the very best!
Already two weeks into this program I have learned a lot about confidence and been introduced to many new ideas and PRACTICAL ACTIONS I am taking everyday to improve the quality of my life.
I am so looking forward to spending the year growing with experts pulled together by Brendon Burchard.
There is so much to learn and to share.
If you want to be part of this amazing community here is a link to get you started!
The Time is Now! Let's do this together!
