Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan Information

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Opening hours

Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm
Saturday 9.00am - 4.30pm

Lake Atitlan holidays

The focus of the Highland region is the beautiful, deep-blue Lake Atitlan, formed by an incredible explosion that blew the top of a volcanic mountain, leaving only the crater behind. The subsequent ash covered areas as far as Panama and Florida.

The rim of Lake Atitlan is at 2,500 m, 1,000 m above the lake level, but these heights are surpassed by the surrounding volcanoes, which are all above 3,000 m.

Holidays In Lake Atitlan

The most convenient and enjoyable way of exploring the numerous villages around Lake Atitlan is by boat. Regular services go from Panajachel to Santiago Atitlan and to San Pedro La Laguna. Fishing, kayaking, horse-riding, sailing, diving and beauty treatments can be organised locally. There are several hot springs which serve as a reminder that you are, in fact, inside a volcano! Markets are renowned in the region where colour, culture and craft are on sale - we recommend those in Chichicastenango, Solola, Panajachel and Zunil. To the east is the Ixil Triangle made up of the highland communities of Nebaj, Chajul and Cotzal. Also worth visiting is the ghost town of El Palmar Viejo.

For those interested in the occult, a trip to nearby Santiago Atitlan and the chapel that houses the idol of Maximon will be fascinating. Groups of men and women can be seen decked in scarves, smoking very large cigars and drinking fire water - whilst worshipping a wooden image in a candle-lit room. Maximon is an idol which has been worshipped by the Maya for centuries. His followers believe that he brings luck, rain and good harvests.