The Mayans of Santiago Atitlan have a small hole in the floor of their ancient church they revere as the navel of the universe.

From here the stars ascended to the heavens; from here the sun and planets began their journey through time and space. This is where the gods first made true men from corn.

Lake Atitlan is the Mayan equivalent of the biblical Garden of Eden.

However the lake is an ideal location for holistic health and spiritual retreats not just for its spiritual energy. From a practical point of view it couldn't be better.

• The scenery is simply spectacular,
• the people are colorful and fascinating,
• the weather is wonderful all year round,
• it's close to the U.S and it's affordable.

Learn more about Lake Atitlan

There are many small good hotels in Mayan villages that dot the lake shore. During that time international recognition of the lake as a spiritual center has grown and many hotels have developed their facilities accordingly.

The easiest (sometimes only) way to get to these villages is by boat. Therefore visitors tend to be adventurous travelers willing to get off the beaten path. Our hotels are situated about as far away from the "civilized" world as one can get while still delivering guests all the creature comforts they can imagine.

The hotel's restaurants serve international and local dishes. This is a vegetarian's paradise, the fruit drinks alone will make you never want to leave! World class massage therapists live here. The hotels have saunas and hot tubs. Classes are held in the garden in buildings make specifically for retreats and workshops.

The combination of setting, people, weather and price makes Lake Atitlan a perfect destination for holistic health retreats and workshops.