This new and spacious 1500 square foot home (with additional 820sf covered porches) offers luxury, privacy, quiet and location. A 5 minute walk from the town square, Casa Tula is nestled in its own private courtyard garden (with fountain) on a gentle South-facing slope that boasts breath-taking views. The house has tall ceilings and fine furnishings with conveniences like strong Wifi, bathtub, lockable walk-in-closet, hot/filtered water and washing machine. INSTAGRAM: casa.tula The house faces South and world famous views of Lake Atitlan. The word 'paradise' has Persian roots meaning 'walled garden' which is a design theme at Casa Tula. The downstairs living areas open to the courtyard and fountain which invite meditation, quiet mornings or festive dinner parties. The spacious kitchen with modern appliances is made for sharing food and making memories. The large bedrooms upstairs open to private terraces and incredible views of volcanoes, sunrises and sunsets. Fine finishes like stone, tile, hardwood, terra cotta and architectural details accent every room. Imported carpets, wall furnishings and furniture contribute to a spa-like atmosphere. MORE ABOUT THE HOUSE Casa Tula is a Hacienda style family home that was completed in 2018. My son-in-law and I designed Casa Tula for my daughter’s family (named after my grand-daughter) which is why it’s spacious, has plenty of closet space and cabinetry, and amenities like the upstairs bathtub. Many houses in the area are funky (not the good kind of funky) and sometimes downright un-safe but this house has proper plumbing/electrical and the room layout flows well. It was important to us that the house should be safe and convenient for the elderly, disabled, and children. The house was built according to modern construction practices but also with Feng Shui and sacred geometry in mind. These principles were applied to the floor plan, doors/windows, and furniture (even the custom mirror in the foyer is based on the golden ratio— see photos). There’s something magical that can be felt but not described in this house. I’ve built many houses but this is my favorite- I refined details that I've been developing over decades. For example, there’s a lot of concrete and steel in this house but the arches and details make it seem light and bright. A new motif for me is the terra cotta ceilings supported by hardwood beams at the main level- this is only something you see in houses 100s of years old. High-end craftsmen from Antigua helped with the antiqued finishes (paint/stucco) and custom furniture which contribute to the house feeling timeless even though it's new. THE LOCATION Casa Tula is just a short walk to the lake, main road, and everything in town. We've recently added a secure parking area close to the house. For me, the house is perfectly located which is why I built my own house nearby 18 years ago. Back in the 90's I could have bought land anywhere, including right on the lake, but I chose the lush privacy of this valley with its stunningly framed views (the commercial area near the lake is denser and can be loud at night). Some of the trees I planted back then are now over 40 feet tall. I own the surrounding properties of Casa Tula which is why the area feels wooded and private even though it’s so close to town. Guests will have private access to the entire house and courtyard/garden during their stay. There is a public walking path to the house so guests can come and go as they please. I own the surrounding properties as well and live about 100 meters away so it's ideal for privacy and security. YOUR HOST: My name is Carlos Funk and I own the blues bar themed Blind Lemon’s Restaurant here in town - come see me play on Tuesday Blues days. My wife Cata was born and raised here in San Marcos and she runs the restaurant (best carrot cake in town). When you arrive you'll be greeted by me or our son Ludwin. Guests see us as little or as much as they’d like but we have all the local connections guests need for a short or long stay and an authentic Guatemalan experience. San Marcos La Laguna is a quiet town on Lake Atitlán. The town has become a bit of a Mecca for all things spiritual, with several meditation, yoga, and massage centers. It's one of the most beautiful spots on the lake, very peaceful, and quite easy to lose a few days in (or decades). Hiking around town is quite easy and safe, as the village has paved/cobblestone streets. The homemade paths have a very intimate feel to them. They are shaped by the plants and flowers that create almost fences that guide you in the correct path. Neighboring communities (nearby Pasaj-cap and Tzununa) are connected by a dirt road along the lake-- it is recommended to hire a guide for long hiking trips to prevent incidents. Although there are roads to Tzununa and onto San Pedro, most travellers opt to hop the lancha boats to get around. San Marcos also has many tuk-tuks that will take you anywhere you want to go. This house is a five minute walk from town. There is no car access to the house (which is why it's quiet and peaceful) but there are secure places to park in town if needed. A large walk-in-closet with built in cabinetry is also a security vault to safely store your valuables. We have other listings with 5 star reviews but not many for this one just yet. Also check out our INSTAGRAM account, search- casa.tula for more information and a lifestyle profile for Casa Tula.