One of the most enchanting places in the world
About Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. In its surrounding area, Lake Atitlán has beautiful hotels. It is considered the "Guatemalan Riviera" for its authentic ethnicity, beauty, intimacy, and elegance. Everything here is surrounded by an environment of natural beauty unique in the world, a true fantasy of beautifully designed gardens.
Few people who come to visit Guatemala leave without stopping to admire Lake Atitlan and the Quiché Mayan village of Chichicastenango both of which are only two hours from the capital city of Guatemala. There are lots of activities around the lake to keep tourists occupied for many days. Some of these activities include exploring Mayan villages, shopping, horseback riding, bird watching, hiking in a nature preserve, visiting a butterfly preserve, and visiting local artists in one of the most beautiful natural spots in the world. In the village of Chichicastenango, famous for its Thursday and Sunday markets, visitors can observe Mayan religious practices close-up. While in Santa Cruz of Quiché, visitors can travel to Gumarcaaj, the ancient capitol of the Quiche Maya.
Panajachel
The biggest village of Lake Atitlan is Panajachel, a tranquil place that has excellent hotels, restaurants, and many stores in which visitors can buy Guatemalan artisan products. There are boats leaving from Panajachel that take passengers to the other side of the lake and back. Some interesting places around "Pana" that should be visited include the nature and butterfly preserve of San Buenaventura, the Museo Lacustre (Lacustre Museum) that exhibits pieces of ceramics taken from the lake, an excellent art gallery exhibiting the work of local artists as well as the internationally renowned artist Nan Cuz. Panajachel celebrates its village fair on October 4th with a procession, fireworks and rides.
Great Walks
For those who like to walk, it takes only 45 minutes to get to the village of San Jorge. The walk from the village of Santa Cruz to San Marcos is very beautiful and takes 2 and a half hours. A precious stroll through the Nature Preserve takes a minimum of two hours. For those who like to climb volcanoes they can organize an excursion to climb the Volcan de Tolimán (the Toliman Volcano) or the Volcano of Atitlan from the village of Santiago Atitlán.
Directions
From the moment you arrive at the airport in Guatemala City, the trip to Panajachel, Solola takes 3.5 mours by bus or 2.5 hours by car on the Panamerican highway (a paved road in excellent condition). There is no commercial airport near Panajachel. If you travel by car follow the route going towards Panajachel on the bank of Lake Atitlan for 140 kilometers (82 miles) on the Panamerican highway until you get to the cross to Solola (8 kms/ 5 miles). From here Panajachel is 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) away.