I would like to offer gratitude and sincere appreciation for all those that participated in the 8th Festival of Consciousness. I would like to especially thank those who provided workshops and spaces for the festival workshops and events to take place. We could not have hosted another great festival without your support, a tremendous thank you to you all. One of the things that I enjoy about this festival is that it brings people back to this community. There are many who begin their spiritual journey in San Marcos. They come, many unexpectedly, to find that this is a small town on the shores of Lago Atitlan that has so much to offer. Whether you are interested in learning yoga, meditation practices, healing modalities, working with the environment, permaculture, or helping with local social projects, there is such a magnitude of information, experience and training available here. For me, on a personal level, it is also incredibly fulfilling to see those people return, embody and share their teachings at the Festival of Consciousness. It is like Christmas, having family come home. It is incredibly inspirational to connect with known and new people who are sharing their gifts, talents, experiences and wisdom with others in Guatemala, Central America and in the world. There are many people who have been here, remain connected to San Marcos and are continually working towards shifting mental ideas, opening hearts, expanding awareness, spreading light and making positive change in the world. It is an honour to connect and share with these teachers, students and dreamweavers. Again this year, I hosted the Awakening the Dreamer Changing the Dream Symposium. To me, this is something that I am trying to daily integrate into life. A socially just, environmentally sustainable and spiritual fulfilling presence on the planet is something that I desire deeply. Hoping that we can understand we are all interconnected and are here to help each other in our respective journeys is at the forefront of why I put the festival together. Now, more than ever, it is time for us to stand together to work towards positive change in the world. To stand up and embrace our personal power and creativity to solve problems and do things to help ourselves, our neighbours and the planet. It is so important that we stay awake, aware and actively involved in making decisions and change for the better.
If I had one wish for all those that attended the festival it would be that you take the things you learned and experienced here and begin to live them. I wish you the motivation to go deeper into those things that sparked your attention, shifted your thinking or even just made you connect with yourself in a way that felt forgotten.I look forward to your return to San Marcos and to the impacting difference being your true authentic self will have on the world.
San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
Other festivals around the world often set up their stages and exhibits, host their events and then take it all down again until the next year. The Festival of Consciousness is unique in that most of the workshops and events on offer are here most of the year round. The venues are existing business here who provide services on a daily basis to those living and passing through town.
Although there are only two main paths in town, there is so much going on here. What makes the Festival of Consciousness specials is that all the amazing people and things you can learn in San Marcos come together for several days to share, exchange and connect with like minded people who are interested in living more conscious lives. It is a great time to have a "taste test" to see what and who resonates with you, and your journey in the moment.
Although the festival is open to facilitators that have knowledge to share from outside of San Marcos, the festival also highlights those people who live and work here year round. Their gifts, talents, passions and personalities are diverse in nature. There are also those whom I call "Lights of San Marcos," who have lived here for a number of years and maintain a connection to this place through their ongoing work, interests and personal connections. Many of these people host workshops, retreats, cacao ceremonies, meditations and practice holistic living in other areas of the world.
The world may seem like a big place yet it is amazing how many friends, acquaintances and community members have spent some time in San Marcos.
About San Marcos: San Marcos is a small Indigenous town, home to around 4000 Mayans and a small community of foreigners. Generally it is a peaceful place where people come to relax, do yoga, meditate, have massages, take courses, swim and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
Things to be aware of:
There is one 5B ATM in San Marcos, otherwise the closest banks are in San Pedro and San Juan, few places accept credit cards
Swimming is great fun, but please be conscious of the Mayan culture and Do Not walk around in your swim suit.
Please do not smoke pot in the streets or in public venues, this is very disrespectful to local culture and against the law!
Bring a flashlight if planning to go out at night
The last boat to Pana leaves at 5pm. To San Pedro at 8pm.
Private boats back to San Pedro, San Juan and Tzununa can be arranged if requested.
While there will be security escorts in the evening to walk you home safely, it is best to keep your passports, computers and valuables secure and/or out of sight at your hotel.
This is the Festival of Consciousness so please, say NO to plastic bags, No to Styrofoam, and No to straws. Bring your own water bottles, cups and take away containers to minimize garbage.
A word about accommodation: There are few hotels that will take reservations as often they do not want to have to ask people to leave if they want to stay longer. AirBnB and the San Marcos Atitlan community page are good places to check for rentals. If there is not anywhere to stay in San Marcos, San Pedro is 10 minutes away by boat. Public boats run from 6am until 8pm. We can organize a private boat to take you home on Saturday evening if there are enough interested (10 people minimum). So please do not be discouraged if you would like to be here for the festival and have to sleep in a neighboring town. Transport is easy to arrange!
Places to check: Eco-Hotel La Paz Del Lago Hotel Quetzal Aaculaxx / Lush Poasada Schumann Circles Cafe and Hostel Poasada Bosque Encantando El Dragon Jaguar Tree Paco Real Hotel Real Panabaj Hotel Horus Hostel San Marcos