LAKE ATITLAN
Lake Atitlan is an absolutely stunning place. I remember going there and feeling that there was some inherent magic to it. This stunning lake surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, with colorful town scattered along its shores. Boat transportation between the towns — the most common and sometimes only method of moving about this lake, that is its own ecosystem. The multiple different languages and varieties of languages being spoken on the streets amongst the Indigenous and multiple different groups of Indigenous peoples who call this, and have called this place 'home' for years. The place just feels different. There is something in their air. As I mentioned — something magic. The lake itself is very large, but shockingly only the 3rd largest lake in Guatemala. It's a volcanic lake, sitting at about 1500 meters above sea level. It's also the deepest lake in all of Central America. In order to get to the towns, you must steeply descend winding roads that lie high above the water level. Curving back and forth. In the rainy season you look down and hope with all you have that your brakes work, and that your tires don't skid. The small and unique towns at the lake are filled with few vehicles other than tuk tuks. Colorful and adorned with unique names associated with either the owner, or some religious gesture. This is your transportation around the towns. Not much else can travel well around these towns, as the streets are often so thin that cars can't pass through. Trust me, I learned of this fact the hardest way one can. The lake is a picture of natural beauty. It's a place you can find relaxation. Natural wonder. — Spirituality if you are in search of it. Or it may find you. Even if you come here looking to drink and nothing more, this place can do that for you as well. I am a huge fan of the lake. Returning a few times. Each of the towns in the lake have their own unique personalities, with different things to do, and different types of people occupying the shores. Below are more detailed summaries of the major town within the lake. Lake Atitlan and all that it has to offer should be on anyone's list who comes to visit Guatemala. A trip to this country is not complete without it. A quick note about Atitlan. There is a pretty clear rainy and dry season. In the rainy season it can rain A LOT. The rainy season stars in May and goes until about November-ish. Just be careful if you are there in May, they refer to this month as Malo Mayo. This is because tons of trash and shit gets flushed into the lake in the form of runoff and everyone gets sick. So if you are there in May, maybe avoid getting in the water so much.
