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Magical Lake Atitlan in Guatemala: Guide to its best attractions
// ByDave Stamboulis
ByDave Stamboulis
Travel Expert
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Che Guevara, Ingrid Bergman andAntoine de Saint-Exupéry (author of "The Little Prince") were all enthralled by the charms of Lake Atitlan. Writer-philosopher Aldous Huxley called it the most beautiful lake in the world, and even after the almost 90 years since his visit to this jewel in the Guatemalan highlands, the gorgeous surroundings and magnificent high altitude lake are still as magical as ever.
Ringed by jungle-clad volcanoes and sleepy Indigenous Mayan communities, Atitlan still flies well under the radar of many travelers; all the more reason to come check out one of Guatemala's most enticing spots. Here's a list of activities and attractions to keep you busy here for weeks.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Take a hike
The dramatic views of the lake, challenging steep footpaths and an assortment of walking-boating combos make Lake Atitlan a fantastic hiking destination. You can climb the big volcanoes, trek from village to village via local agricultural trails or just walk along the coast and gape at the jaw-dropping views.
Highly recommended is the walk from the village of Tzununa to the neighboring hamlet of Jaibalito, which is only accessible by foot or boat. You can walk here, have lunch down by the lake and then take a 'lancha' (communal speed boats that serve as public ferries) back to your starting point.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Standup paddling in paradise
湖Atitlan great place to learn how to standup paddle or kayak. There are rentals in San Marcos, San Pedro and over in sleepy Santa Cruz atLos Elementos Adventure Center,在那里你可以学习基本的或租用设备if you already know how. During the morning, the weather tends to be good and the water is calm, while the afternoon often brings waves.
The surroundings are stunning, as you are ringed by volcanoes and green highlands, and the water is refreshing when you need a dip. There are even a few outfitters who offer an entire lake crossing, for those who already know the ropes.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Morning yoga under the volcano
The community of San Marcos on the northwest side of the lake has become a magnet for yoga and other spiritual wellness pursuits. Just about every resort and operation here has a selection of yoga workshops and classes, and – needless to say – the surroundings couldn't be more enticing.
Head up to theEagle's Nest, a resort perched in the hills, where you can do retreats or stay in their snazzy eco-lodge. If you already know your workout, just come down to the dock in the early morning where you'll have the lake and volcanoes almost to yourself.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Guatemalan textiles, the world's most colorful
Guatemalan textiles are possibly the most beautiful in the world – and certainly the most colorful. Head over to the artisan community of San Juan la Laguna on the lake's west side, and you'll find women-run weaving cooperatives run by theTzutujil Mayan community. Here they do backstrap and footloom weaving, creating 'traje,' as the traditional handwoven clothing is called.
Indigenous women in Guatemala wear'huipiles'(blouses) and 'cortes'(skirts), tied to the waist by embroidered belts knownas 'faja,' and each community is distinguished by their particular colors and patterns of dress. When you purchase one of these works of art, you support a good cause and tradition, and you can also pick up local weaves that are more tailored to tourists' fashions.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Take a ride on a chicken bus
While at Atitlan, make sure to come or go on a chicken bus! The term 'chicken bus' originated here in Guatemala, named for the buses formerly being the primary mode of transporting live fowl to market. They're now the main method of public transport across all of Central America. You've probably ridden one before if you're of a certain age, as all of these buses were formerly school buses in the U.S. – since retired, auctioned off and brought back to life. They get colorful paint jobs, adorned with vivid murals and string lights, and are a load of fun if you aren't traveling too far, as they come complete with blasting music, plenty of residential life and, in many cases, are actually faster than the cramped and expensive tourist shuttle vans.
From Panajachel on the lake, you can take one up to Solola, just 15 minutes away, where there is a great Friday Market, as well as a chicken bus connection onwards towards Chichicastenango. You can even get all the way to Atitlan from Antigua or Guatemala City by utilizing a few of these vibrant rides.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Postcard-perfect sunset over Lake Atitlan
Make sure you take the time to find a prime spot for sunset viewing, as they're pretty phenomenal here. The top choices are anywhere along the northern shores of the lake, as you look out to the San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan volcanoes, often shrouded in colorful clouds.
In the villages of San Marcos, Tzununa, Jaibalito and Santa Cruz, you'll find plenty of chill spots that have chairs and hammocks set up for happy hour. There are even places with swimming pools or Jacuzzis to enjoy the last rays of the day.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Tomato shopping in Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango is a highland market town about 20 miles from Lake Atitlan. During your visit, you should make a beeline here on its famed market days. Sunday is the biggest one, but there is also one on Thursday. Indigenous communities from all over the surrounding area descend on Chichi to shop for food and textiles, socialize and sell their agricultural products and weavings.
While the market has become a big tourist attraction, it still retains its authentic feel, and it is wildly colorful. Get here early; by noon, people have gone to eat and things are winding down. You can easily arrange a tour here in any of the villages on Lake Atitlan, or else you can take a few public buses starting out from Panajachel, the main town on the lake.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Indulge in local specialties or take a cooking class
Guatemala isn't renowned for its cuisine, and in most places, rice and beans are the staple. But around Lake Atitlan, you can sample some local and ancient Mayan foods, like 'kaq'ik,' which is a red and slightly spicy turkey soup (the dish has even been listed as a cultural icon by Guatemala’s Ministry of Cultureand Sport), or'pepián,' a chicken stew that is the national dish and fuses Mayan and Spanish cultures.
The Mayan Kitchenin San Pedro offers cooking classes to learn how to make all these delicacies, and there are plenty of local restaurants that serve up traditional cuisine to restore your energy after hiking, volcano climbing or kayaking on the lake.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Sunrise over Fuego volcano
Make sure to visit a place that the Indigenous community refers to as 'Nariz del Rostro Maya' (nose of the Mayan lookout). You can easily arrange a tour here (for an outstanding local guide, utilize the services of Luis atLuituy Tours), which leaves at 4 am and drives up to a high point. From there, it's a 45-minute walk to the lookout platform on this prominent small peak.
The vantage point from here is staggering, as not only do you see the entire lake and its volcanoes, but you can even see the smoldering active Fuego volcano and its neighbor, Acatenango, silhouetted against the rising sun in the distance. It's one the most memorable experiences you can have here.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Take a boat tour
Even if you aren't exercise-inclined, you can still check out the magical lake and take it easy while doing so. Get your group together, hire a private boat for the day and go where you please. Sail over to San Juan to gaze up at the Nariz del Rostro Maya in the morning and head over to San Pedro for breakfast. Enjoy non-touristed towns like Santiago Atitlan or San Lucas Toliman on the far side of the lake during the day, and finish up in Panajachel or in one of the foot/boat-only villages like Santa Cruz or Jaibalito for an afternoon drink or siesta in a hammock!
Public boats run from about 7 am to 6:30 pm, but you can hire private lanchas at any time – just set things up with a boat driver down on any dock.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Move in!
Yeah, that's right. Quite a good number of foreigners have come here and fallen in love with this beautiful spot, and have started businesses, built holiday homes or even immigrated for good. There's a large permaculture and alternative movement here for those wanting to do organic farming. And almost every home built along the lake forsakes curtains in exchange for plenty of glass and natural light, to ensure that those lake views can go on and on and on.
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