Guatemala- Among Volcanoes and Lakes

A must-see destination in Guatemala is Lake Atlitlan. This lake impressed Aldous Huxley so strongly that he wrote the following - “Lake Como, it seems to me, touches on the limit of permissibly picturesque, but Atitlán is Como with additional embellishments of several immense volcanoes. It really is too much of a good thing ", calling it the most beautiful lake in the world. I haven't seen many lakes like this, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I have to admit it's really picturesque. The lake is actually a former caldera of a giant volcano, which erupted 84,000 years ago and was covered in rain. Atitlan is surrounded by 3 volcanoes and many bohemian villages where you can stay. The whole region has a mystical air, being rumored to be one of the few energy vortices on earth. So it is no wonder that it has become a kind of place of pilgrimage for hippie communities and other people seeking spiritual enlightenment or various alternative mystical experiences.

How do you get here?
Atitlan is about a 2-hour bus ride from Antigua. You will reach Panajachel, a former Mayan city that has become the starting point for excursions on the lake. In Panajachel you don't have much to do, just walk along the lake (the sunsets are beautiful) and plan your days to come. The temperature in this region is perfect, far from hot, with a maximum of 25 degrees.

Where do you stay?
There are 11 villages around the lake, each very different from each other, four being very popular from a tourist point of view - San Pedro de la Laguna, San Marcos, Santa Clara or Santa Cruz. All are affordable, if you are not pretentious you can stay a week with a budget of 100 euros.
It is best to stay in a safe place (I stayed in San Pedro de la Laguna) and take day trips by boat, which serves here as a taxi, and discover at least 3- 4 villages in the region. I looked for my accommodation on the spot, but if you come on weekends, or during a holiday period, it may be good to book your accommodation in advance, at least for the first night.

One day I woke up in the middle of the night and took a trip to Indian Nose Hill, where I waited for sunrise and was rewarded with a spectacular view of the entire chain, flanked by 3 volcanoes. It was a strange trip, with a child guide who took us at 3 in the morning in front of the pension and took us, by the light of a flashlight, to the foot of the volcano, from where he took another guide. We started the climb, in an indescribable darkness, trying not to be left behind, the only source of light being the guide's flashlight. After a maximum of one hour of climbing, we reached the top, where about 10 more tourists were waiting. The guides made the fire and made coffee and tea. Slowly, slowly, the day breaks. The sunrise is truly spectacular. Not even the ladies who came with two or three outfits after them, to take selfies with the sunrise, manage to ruin my vibe. Probably one of the most beautiful places I drank my morning coffee.

All villages have traditional restaurants, so you have a choice. If you want something really special, then take a run to Santa Cruz, to the Café Sabor Cruceño restaurant, from where you have an incredible view of the lake. Here you can also take Guatemalan gastronomy lessons. Here we ate the best Pepian and Kakik, a traditional Guatemalan dish - stew with chicken and beef in tomato sauce, served with avocado and tortilla.
Visit a fair on Sunday. Authentic souvenirs, typical of this region, you can buy if you visit a fair on Sunday, when all the villagers go out to sell their goods, in the main square, a good opportunity for beautiful photos.