#Lake Atitlán

[henk-heijmans]

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, 2013 - by Eric Mencher (1955), American

[travelella]

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Taken by Anita Wing Lee

[roomchailimited]

Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán: A Journey to the Heart of Mayan Culture

Tucked into the volcanic highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlán is often described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Surrounded by three towering volcanoes and dotted with charming villages, this natural wonder offers not only stunning views but also a chance to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Mayan culture. A visit to Lake Atitlán is a journey through both breathtaking landscapes and living traditions.

Arrival at Lake Atitlán

The lake, located about 2.5 hours from Antigua, is best accessed by road. Winding mountain paths lead you to the tranquil waters, where the sparkling lake is framed by Volcán Atitlán, Volcán Tolimán, and Volcán San Pedro. The towns and villages around the lake each have a unique vibe, making it worth exploring several during your stay.

Discovering the Villages

Each village around Lake Atitlán has its own personality, offering visitors a variety of experiences.

Panajachel

Known as the gateway to Lake Atitlán, Panajachel (or Pana) is the busiest and most tourist-friendly town. It’s a great place to shop for colorful textiles, jewelry, and crafts at the local market.

Stroll along Calle Santander, lined with shops and cafes, to get a taste of the area’s vibrant culture.

San Juan La Laguna

This quiet village is a hub for traditional Mayan art and weaving. Visit cooperative workshops to see women crafting intricate textiles dyed with natural pigments.

Learn about the village’s focus on sustainable tourism and its connections to ancient traditions.

San Pedro La Laguna

A favorite among backpackers, this lively village offers everything from budget accommodations to adventure activities like kayaking and hiking up Volcán San Pedro.

Explore its vibrant nightlife and eclectic cafes serving Guatemalan coffee.

Santiago Atitlán

This is one of the most culturally rich villages, home to the Tz’utujil Maya people.

Visit the shrine of Maximón, a folk saint blending indigenous and Christian traditions, and learn about local spiritual practices.

Immersing in Mayan Culture

Lake Atitlán is a living testament to the resilience and richness of Mayan culture.

Traditional Textiles

The area is renowned for its woven textiles, with each village offering distinct patterns and colors that reflect their heritage.

Ceremonial Practices

Many villages host spiritual ceremonies blending ancient Mayan rituals with modern religious practices. Visitors may observe or participate respectfully.

Outdoor Adventures

Lake Atitlán’s beauty isn’t just for admiring—it’s for experiencing.

Hiking

Trekking to Indian Nose or one of the surrounding volcanoes rewards you with stunning sunrise or panoramic views of the lake.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Rent equipment to explore the lake’s calm waters, stopping at hidden coves or lakeside villages.

Birdwatching

The lake and its surrounding forests are home to numerous bird species, including colorful toucans and elusive quetzals.

Local Cuisine

Try Guatemalan specialties like pepián, a hearty stew, or fresh fish caught straight from the lake.

Visit a local coffee plantation to savor the rich, aromatic flavors of Atitlán-grown coffee.

Practical Travel Tips

Getting There

Arrange transport from Antigua or Guatemala City; many travel agencies, including Roomchai Limited, offer guided trips to Lake Atitlán.

Best Time to Visit

The dry season, from November to April, ensures clear skies and pleasant weather.

Packing Essentials

Comfortable shoes for walking or hiking, a light jacket for cooler evenings, and reusable water bottles.

Conclusion

Lake Atitlán is more than a picturesque destination—it’s a gateway to understanding Guatemala’s rich history, resilient culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re kayaking across the lake, exploring the vibrant traditions of its villages, or hiking the surrounding volcanic peaks, a trip to Lake Atitlán is a memorable dive into the heart of Mayan heritage. Pack your bags, and let the lake’s magic unfold before you.

[travelnshit]

Around Lake Atitlán

We decided to take a tourist shuttle from Antigua directly to San Pedro on account of the fact public transport would required four buses and a boat and quite frankly fuck getting on and subsequently off five different transports whilst the muscles in my legs consisted entirely of pain and regret. Plus I couldn’t be arsed being potentially overcharged on five different transports when I could…

[elblogdecleo]

The Best Destinations in Latin America: A Journey Through Beauty and Culture

[awkwardbirdsdreaming]

Day 11 of January extinct birds - the Atitlán grebe or giant pie-billed grebe (i swear i posted this yesterday but apparently not)

This flightless grebe was endemic to a single lake in Guatemala. Their story is remarkably similar to yesterday's grebe - when carnivorous bass were introduced to the lake, eating the grebe's food and their chicks, numbers started declining steeply. A refuge was set up, which was quite successful, but the 1976 earthquake caused the population to fall again, and they went extinct around 1990.

[rosechata]

lake atitlán, guatemala

katebe_

[projectourworld]

Still waters run deep: Latin American Foto festival – Esteban Riquelmer Julaju, Guatemala, Fotokids

Early morning in Lake Atitlán. This image is part of Fotokids’ recent 30-year Retrospective Exhibit ; Guardian Newspaper

[ericmenchersnapshots]

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala . 2012 https://www.instagram.com/p/CqmC_MSujqB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[dear-indies]

Hey guys. I've previously posted about Nancy Ng (who is sadly still missing) and I wanted to provide an update. You can also keep updated at helpusfindnancy on Instagram which is run by her family and this is from their gofundme updates, please consider donating if you're able.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: In March, our family worked on a video with Kendall Rae, an advocate for missing persons and their families. We'd like to thank Kendall and her incredible team for covering Nancy’s story. They did such an amazing job covering the details of Nancy’s case and published the most comprehensive video on Nancy’s case to date. We are blown away by the support from Kendall’s audience, who have not only sent over 1,000 emails to Ambassador Bradley, but have also put the spotlight on the Ministerio Publico and U.S. Embassy in their roles in Nancy’s case via X (formerly Twitter). Our family continues to be immensely grateful for the online community being one of our biggest supporters and advocates during this time. Thank you for helping our voices be heard and for not letting Nancy be forgotten. As mentioned in Kendall’s video, please help our family escalate Nancy’s case by emailing the following template to Ambassador Tobin Bradley at AmCitsGuatemala @ state . gov (Do not include spaces in email address.) Please note that the subject line must start with “E99” so that the email gets routed to the correct office. Subject Line: E99 - Urgent: Assistance Required In Search For Nancy Ng Hello Mr. Bradley, My name is ____, and I am writing to you on behalf of Nancy Ng’s entire family, who have gone months without answers regarding what happened to her on October 19, 2023, on Lake Atitlán. After kayaking out into the lake, she disappeared in an alleged drowning incident. The one and only person who witnessed Nancy’s drowning has been uncooperative, and there are now allegations that a bribe occurred to have her statement omitted from the police report. This person then left the country without aiding in search efforts and has refused to cooperate with the family and search teams. It is my understanding that you have the power to escalate Nancy’s case to the appropriate authorities in Guatemala because, as it stands, little is being done to investigate her disappearance. Please help her and her family. I am asking that you please: - Request that Guatemalan authorities ask U.S. officials, such as the FBI, for assistance in this investigation. The United States has resources that would prove incredibly valuable to this investigation, as well as in the search for Nancy’s body. - Facilitate a conversation between the Ng family and someone in Guatemala who is actively working the case. Their family is not receiving relevant case information from the prosecutor. Please help connect them with someone with more information regarding the status and details of Nancy’s case. - Lastly - I am asking that you please not forget that Nancy was human. She was a sister, a daughter, a teacher, and a friend. All her loved ones want is to know what happened and to bring her home to lay her to rest. Their patience has been taken advantage of and it’s time someone stepped up to escalate the situation for them. Please consider taking action swiftly. Thank you.

[waterfallswords]

Name: Isla Alvarez

Age & Birthday: 30 years old, December 22nd 1993

Gender/Pronouns: ciswoman she/her

Birthplace: Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Time in Hollow Cove: Just arrived

Species: Werewolf - Cross Pack

Role: Seeker

Positive personality traits: Focused, Empathetic, Driven, Strong-Willed

Negative personality traits: Insecure, Secretive, Stubborn, Perfectionist

Faceclaim: Ana de Armas

ABOUT:

The Wolves of Atitlan are an old wives tale, passed through generations of women warning their unruly children or told through claims of sightings shared over a few drinks. The legend states that the Atitlan wolves all lived near the lake, and every full moon they would come closer to civilization and snatch away the naughty children or attack whoever was in their path. There's only some truths to these stories and the Alvarez family would have to bite their tongue whenever engaging in them. It was true they lived near the beautiful lake, but they didn't venture to the towns to attack. Instead, the Wolves of Atitlan would take the long trek to the mountains and let themselves shift under full moonlight freely. It was a strong belief that a wolf should be within nature when shifting, and they never chained or shackled themselves which is how the legends began in the first place all those years ago when out of control shifts would leer too close to civilization.

For the most part, Isla lived an ordinary life with her family in the small town and learned how to hold secrets behind every smile and every conversation. But, it all changed when her worries of being unshackled during a shift finally became true. Instinct took over her and her sister, Amaris, and they wandered too close to civilization during a full moon- waking up covered in blood and with mangled bodies beside them. It wasn't the first time a wolf in their pack killed, but this time it was too late to try and cover any tracks. The group of killed tourists were a cause of national concern and the wolves had no choice but to leave their home, venturing for family that lived within America. Now, Isla ensures she is shackled and bound every single full moon.

Being nineteen and stateside was not something Isla ever pictured for herself or her family but she tried her best to adapt, carrying guilt that all of their lives had to change just so they were safe. It fractured a few relationships within the pack eventually, wolves leaving to go in their own direction. Isla stuck by her family as they joined forces with the Cross pack and it was during this time she met Elliot Cross. A relationship bloomed, taking them both by surprise considering she found the Cross wolf infuriating more than endearing when they first met, but eventually he became the first semblance of home. And then when she was twenty-five, they had a little girl. Catalina Cross, Cece. Their daughter became the light at the end of a very dark tunnel but they were only able to experience a year of her light.

In 2020, when the world discovered and turned on Werewolves and Vampires, Isla was separated from Elliot in the chaos. With CeCe and her sister, they had no choice but to stick together in order to survive. They traveled to every safe town they learned of, leaving messages and trying to find any hint or whisper about a Cross pack. Isla was desperate to find Elliot again, not leaving a stone unturned, but when every search came up empty she began to fear the worst.

Sometimes, the three girls would settle for a small while but a year ago the safe town they lived in was attacked. Isla had to watch as Amaris allowed herself to be captured in order for Isla and CeCe to escape and then Isla's search doubled for both Elliot and her sister. Six months later, Amaris' sacrifice was for nothing as CeCe was torn from Isla's arms during another attack. She managed to escape but then was left with nothing. For the months following, Isla hasn't known where to begin. She'd follow stories that could lead her to her daughter, then hear talk of wolves that sounded like Elliot's family and follow those whispers. Then, she'd hear about facilities being liberated and rush for any sign of her sister or daughter. Nothing she followed ever reunited her to the people she loved.

Defeated isn't a word an Alvarez would ever use and Isla's tireless searches have pushed her towards a small town in Canada. She knows she needs to take some time to rest and recuperate before she can push on but she also knows she's becoming a shell of herself if she isn't one already.

[travelella]

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Taken by Mark Harpur

[friendswithclay]

“Women in bright red skirts carrying water from Lake Atitlán.”

From: “ Guatemala:  the land and the people” by Whetten, Nathan L; 1961.

[northameicanblog]

Guatemala, Country in Central America: Guatemala, a Central American country south of Mexico, is home to volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites. The capital, Guatemala City, features the stately National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Antigua, west of the capital, contains preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Lake Atitlán, formed in a massive volcanic crater, is surrounded by coffee fields and villages

(by Alex Person)

[tifftravels]

10 Things to Do and See at Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

[ericmenchersnapshots]

In 2015 I was honored to share this series of pictures from Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, on The Open Society Foundations @opensocietyfoundations Instagram feed. The Open Society Foundations, founded by George Soros, are the world's largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights. They approach this mission through the principles of justice, equity, and expression-defining characteristics of any truly open society. Principles that I firmly share and believe in. (at Lake Atitlán, Guatemala) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqdlRvsu3HQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=