Sansok (which means “in the mountain” in Korean) is located in the mountain range
surrounding Lake Atitlán between the towns of Godinez and San Andres Semetabaj. It is a two hour
drive from Guatemala City and 20 minutes from Panájachel.
We offer our guests three cabins and several campsites with shared bathrooms (24/7 hot water) on
a beautifully landscaped mountainside. You will find Korean folk paintings on our walls and
elements of Korean design throughout the premise. Our gardens are thoughtfully curated to
provide habitat for wildlife and attract many birds and insects, including hummingbirds and
monarch butterflies. Our facilities include a shared vegetarian kitchen and a spacious wooden
deck (for yoga, meditation, or simply being in nature) with a breath-taking view of Lake
Atitlán. We provide our guests with yoga mats, blocks, and straps to support your practice
during your stay. If you're looking for peace, serenity, and an opportunity to live in harmony
with Mother Earth, our ecolodge is the place for you in Guatemala.
Our Space
We strive to be green by using sustainable practices in our construction, with most of
our buildings made from natural (stones, bamboo, limestone) or recycled materials (tires, metal)
that blend into their surroundings. They are connected by dirt paths running up and down the
mountain. The campsites are located on the highest points of the premise with our most spectacular
views. Butterflies, fireflies, birds, armadillos, squirrels, foxes, opossums, and many other forest
creatures share the space with us.
We are off-grid, solar powered, and our water comes from a well on the property. We
have an enclosed water system with our own biodigester and a Watson-Wick system to treat gray and
black water on-site. All our bio waste is composted, and trash is sorted for recycling. The amount
of electromagnetic radiation and online distraction is minimal because mobile phone reception is
limited. However, there are spots where you can get a strong enough signal to use mobile data.
Sustainability and ethical tourism are our top priorities in everything we do and
offer. We are mindful about our impact on the environment, the local economy, and the wellness of
all beings that are influenced by our presence, including our neighbors — the surrounding
local indigenous Maya communities. We have four dogs on the compound and one resident cat, Mr. Patz,
who might warm your lap on a chilly night. Many of our guests feel free to go barefoot throughout
our property.
Accommodation
We welcome both short-term (two-night minimum stay for cabins) and
long-term guests who share our vision for preserving the one and only planet we have. You are
welcome to stay in one of our cabins, in your own tent, or rent equipment from us. At this time, our
space is suitable for able-bodied persons as the walking paths are not wheelchair or walker
accessible. We cater to adults only (18+) and welcome members of the LGBTQIA+ community,
naturalists, and naturists.
Scenic campsite
We offer campsites and access to all of our facilities for campers wanting to bring their own equipment. We have three campsites; two with lakeviews and one tucked in the forest.
Odumak 오두막
A small wood cabin with two single beds. Suitable for one or two people. This cabin overlooks the food forest and a garden that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds all year round.
Sarangbang 사랑방
A small wood cabin with one double bed. Suitable for one person or a couple. This room is located above the bodega and has an awesome lakeview.
Darakbang 다락방
A tiny, cute room with one single bed. Suitable for one person. This is a small space adjacent to the kitchen and below the yoga deck. While it has an excellent lakeview, it has a low ceiling and may not be suitable for someone tall.
Equipped campsite
We offer equipment rental for camping, including 3-person, 4-person, and 6-person tents. We have several sleeping bags and sleeping mats. Tent set-up and take-down are included in the price of rentals.
Whole premise rental
You can book the whole ecolodge for organizing your own retreats, conferences, workshops, and events. Sleep up to five persons in cabins and ten persons camping.
The cost to stay at Sansok ranges between
Q60-175 (~$8-$24) per night per person, depending on
the type
of lodging (cabin/camping), duration of stay (discounts for stays longer than 1-2 weeks), and season
(holidays). Please inquire about your stay by sharing the number of your party, lodging preference, and
the dates of your stay.
About Hyungjoon Jin
The founder and steward of Sansok, Hyungjoon Jin, is a Korean American biologist and educator. He has
over 10 years of experience teaching biology, environmental science, outdoor education, and English
as a second language. He has lived and traveled in multiple countries, initially moving to Guatemala
in 2013 to teach at an international school. He moved to Lake Atitlán in 2018 and established Sansok
to adopt a new lifestyle that reduces his carbon footprint and harm on the environment. In 2022, he
decided to open his home to share the experience with others. He is fluent in English, Korean, and
Spanish, and is happy to share his local knowledge and travel stories with ecolodge guests.
Hyungjoon also offers guided tours and transportation services to guests.
