Guatemala > Lake Atitlan

Top Things to Do

The Mayans must have created the hammock when they discovered the beautiful surroundings of Lake Atitlan. There could not be a more suited pastime while you swing away to the rhythm of the lake breeze, then gazing out onto the breathtaking views of the clear blue lake surrounded by majestic volcanoes.

There are three volcanoes flanking the lake's South shore: San Pedro (3,020m), Toliman (3,158m) and Atitlan (3,537m). Fear not if a hammock is not at your disposal, it is tough to escape this view whether you are hiking around the lake, taking a ferryboat to an adjacent town, or simply lying in bed and staring out the window. You might also want to consider zipping by the scenery on a canopy tour!

The town of San Marcos makes an interesting day trip from the lake. There is little to do here, but it is filled with spiritualists and alternative healing specialists who can cure your ailments. The tourist section of town begins at the waterfront and consists of a maze of pathways with quaint wooden signs denoting hotels and restaurants.

If you feel ignored here, you may have simply encountered someone on their 'silence period' which is the last stage of a 4 week program at Las Piramides. Las Piramides del Ka (5205 7151; laspiramidesdelka@hotmail.com) holds a month long Moon Course that starts on the day after every full moon. Each week the focus changes from a study of Metaphysics to Esoteric studies to a final week involving a 5 day period of complete silence and fasting. Each day involves an early morning yoga practice and an afternoon meditation session. Students stay in funky pyramid tents on the premise. US$330-420 per month (shorter stays possible). It is possible to do individual sessions as well as sign up for massages (highly recommended). Christina at Casa Azul offers Reiki, among other services, on the beautiful property that she and her husband have run since 2002.

Stock up on good books and pick a hammock at any one of the great hotels along the lake. Our favorites include Casa Del Mundo, Lomas de Tzununa, Villa Sumaya and Casa Palopó.

Solola is about 8km from Pana and can be reached by chicken bus or taxi. Tuesdays and Fridays are their market days where you will see a much more authentic market than the one in Chichicastenango. There will be fewer items of interest to tourists, as locals come here to buy practical things such as poultry, veggies, and household goods. Make sure you ask permission if you want to directly take someone’s picture, some of the communities around this area are more sensitive to tourists. They might ask you for some money in exchange.

It is possible to hike the circumference of the lake, however this would take several days. Richard Morgan, of Adventures in Education, offers a multi-day trek around the lake to discover each of the 12 lakeside communities. A retired American military officer with degrees in both education and Latin American studies, Richard can tell you all about the history of the area as well as extensive insights into the flora and fauna.

If you are only looking for a day's adventure, there are several hikes that can be done using the surrounding villages as departure points. There is a walking path that runs from Santa Cruz all the way to San Marco and takes about two and a half hours. Be cautious, however, and don't bring any valuables with you. Robberies have been known to occur on these paths.

If you are looking for a shorter hike, start in Santa Cruz and walk about half an hour to the Casa del Mundo for lunch and a swim. In Santa Cruz the trail starts at the two black water storage containers on your left as you head up the paved road.

The terraced town of Santo Antonio has a lovely colonial church that overlooks the picturesque shoreline. A walk through the village will reveal shy yet friendly Antoneros (locals of San Antionio) in their distinctive native dress. The women here are recognized by the colourful silk banda that they weave into their hair. The town is known for its ceramic pottery and you will find a couple of stores amongst the streets that wind down from the church to the waterfront. The Antoneros also specialize in growing Anise and making reed mats.

Market days here are Wednesday and Saturday. The annual fiesta in honour of Saint Anthony de Padua is held June 13-14. It is possible to take a water taxi here although they are infrequent. Trucks make the trip to and from Panajachel along the main road every half hour. Hop in the back with the locals and enjoy the scenery with the wind rushing through your hair.

Santiago is the largest of Atitlan's lakeside communities with a population of over 32,000 people - the vast majority of whom are Tz'utujils. Santiago has had a tumultuous past as a major center of fighting during the war and more recently, as Hurricane Stan devastated much of the region. As the town rebuilds and looks towards the future, it is important to support these efforts through tourism.

Santiago has long been known on the tourist path as an artisan’s town. The main street is lined with shops selling local oil paintings and weavings - primarily marketed for foreigners.

Santiago is also known for its increasingly popular deity, Maximon. When you arrive at the dock, you will likely find yourself surrounded by children who want to escort you to Maximon's house, for a small price. Market days here are Fridays and Sundays. The annual fiesta in honour of Saint James is held on July 25th.

San Juan La Laguna is a small town of 8,000 that is known as the 'little brother' to the nearby town of San Pedro La Laguna, which is a backpacker and drug-seeker’s haven. San Juan is quite the opposite, providing little that caters to tourists, but much that would be of interest. Some of the country's best artists live here, creating their works in oil on canvass. Richard Morgan, through Adventuras en Educacion, runs a day trip to the village where he will take you to the artist’s unmarked homes and tell you about their histories. San Juan also has one of the best sand beaches along the lake - Las Cristalinas.

About an hour's drive from Panajachel, Chichicastenango (known locally as 'Chichi') has become famous for its large and colourful marketplace that opens on Thursdays and Sundays. Although the marketplace is an interesting people-watching zone, today you will find far more tourists than locals at this market. Unfortunately, over the years the influx of tourists seeking cheap local products has driven the prices up and the quality down. Nonetheless, it is worth a visit for the chaotic atmosphere and colourful surroundings.

If you go, take a stroll around some of the other features of the town including a typical, yet colourful, cemetary and the Church of Santo Thomás where you will see the local Maxeños practicing their mixture of Catholic and indigenous Mayan beliefs.

Volcan San Pedro is the easiest of the three surrounding volcanoes and can be climbed in a day. On a clear day, the views from the climb are well worth the effort. Be sure to go with a guide.