How to experience the best of Central America in 50 days solo and overland – Stop 12 Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

21 -22 March 2024 After spending 2 days in Antigua, I took a shuttle bus to Lake Atitlan, which is about 2 hours away. This is another very popular tourist destination, a lake formed by super volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago. Sounds exciting already.

There are numerous villages around the lake. I chose to stay at Panajachel, the most populous one. The sky was slightly hazy and the water grey. The wind was noisy, whipping up small waves. Mountains almost encircled the lake. I had not figured out which ones were volcanic. No one swam in the lake and its shore was almost devoid of people. I enjoyed strolling along kilometers of uninterrupted shoreline.

The next day I hopped on boats to visit the villages around the lake: San Marco, San Juan and San Pedro. As I explored each village, I began to understand why this is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The mountain contours revealed short bushes, a variety of plants, their colors sometimes parched brown due to the dry season, and colorful flowers. Houses and bungalows on the slopes looking curiously far out to the lake.

Three volcanoes dominate the landscape. Like overprotective guardians, they almost always force themselves into every photo. After all, without them, there is no lake. On a hazy day, they loom large, like phantoms in the background, enigmatic and menacing.

I think the most beautiful part of the lake is in San Marco. At the Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve, the water is clear and gemstone green, the shore secluded, and the water deep enough to cliff-jump. Hippies and expats have come to stay. Though not a hippie, or not yet a hippie, I agree. It is almost too gorgeous for words. 

Click here to start from Stop 1 – Stop 16 of this trip: How to experience the best of Central America in 50 days solo and overland, and other trips

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