While undoubtedly one of Central America’s most magical and colourful destinations, Lake Atitlan is something of a victim of its own success. An impossibly beautiful volcano-fringed setting, a glorious climate and colourful Maya lakeshore communities attract large numbers of tourists—often on day trips or staying just a night or two—resulting in an experience that does neither the communities nor the traveller much good.
Fortunately, there is a richer and more profound way to experience the lake, rewarding those willing to invest a little more time. A weeklong circuit of the lake staying in a combination of lakefront villas, luxury private volcano camps and boutique hotels—travelling by foot, boat and bicycle (with a vehicle and expert guides on standby throughout)—allows you to do justice to Lake Atitlan’s vibrant potpourri of cultural traditions and natural wonders.
"To travel slowly around Lake Atitlan, immersing yourself in its authentic traditions and natural environments is to experience the Guatemala of yesteryear."
For the culturally minded traveller, there are any number of interesting projects to broaden your knowledge and help support local communities. Take a workshop with the skilled indigenous textile and basket weavers of the Waqxaqi’Kan Co-operative. Spend time in the studios of Tzutujil Maya artists getting to know their remarkable and highly collectable naive art. Learn ceramic techniques from the master potters of San Antonio Palopo. There are also cooking and photography classes to open your taste buds and eyes to new flavour sensations and sights.
For the naturalist, trails through the cloud forest will allow you to track rare orchids, ocelots and brilliantly-coloured birds including the resplendent quetzal. Keen adventurers can hike up and mountain bike down active volcanoes or scuba-dive submerged villages beneath the lake. To travel slowly around Lake Atitlan, immersing yourself in its authentic traditions and natural environments is to experience the Guatemala of yesteryear. It is to be surrounded by a world of colour and beauty.
