The combination of Lake Atitlan´s natural beauty and Mayan culture
provides stimulation, recreation and relaxation, depending on your
mood. Atitlan is a beautiful, 1,000 foot deep lake nestled against
three 10,000 foot volcanic peaks - Toliman, Atitlán and San Pedro.
Along the shores of Lake Atitlán are a dozen Indian villages where
life and customs have changed little over the centuries.
Though the lake area offers adequate transportation to and from all
of the surrounding villages, it is quite possible that local inhabitants
will spend most of their lives in the village of their birth and may
not even travel to other villages across the lake. As evidence of
this relative isolation, there 3 different native languages spoken
around the lake, and each village has their own accent within their
indigenous language. Some of the villagers, more often women who may
not work outside their homes, do not speak Spanish. All of the villages
are relatively small, and material comforts and healthcare are limited.
Most of the villages are connected to the outside world only by boat.
Nonetheless, each village offers a rich and varied tapestry of food,
color, language and culture. Because of the prevalence of tourism,
there are a variety of jobs in addition to agriculture and fishing
and many people make crafts to sell. Each village has its own traditional
attire - brightly colored woven and embroidered clothes, belts, and
hair bands and clothes, setting them apart from the neighboring villages.
Sololá, has long been a market town, even before
the arrival of the Spaniards or the tourists. Twice per week on Tuesdays
and Fridays, they have an excellent market with traders coming from
far to sell their wares to locals and tourists alike. It is a very
nice and less touristed alternative to the long touted Chichicastenango
.
Panajachel, with an estimated population of 14,000,
is the largest and most touristy of the villages. It has a reputation
as a hippie hangout, dubbed "Gringotenango". Most likely
you will pass through en route to other villages which have retained
their indigenous charm despite decades of tourism.
Santa Cruz, with it´s village perched high above
the lakeshore, offers a great selection of nearby hotels, each with
unique offerings of food and beverages at their respective restaurants.
The village itself is fairly lively with local activity, but most
tourists prefer the ex-pat owned offerings along the shore.
Jailbalito. This small village is accessible by boat
only and truly offers the most authentic peak at indigenous Guatemalan
life.
Tzununa, set back in the ravine is another very quiet
village, with very little tourism.
San Marcos La Laguna has become a center for meditation,
holistic health, massage, Reiki, and other spiritual activities. The
meditation center, Las Piramides, is a focal point of town offering
a one-month personal development course beginning every full-moon.
San Pablo is set high above the lake and connects
easily to neighboring villages, San Juan, from here you can take a
jaw dropping ride winding up and up and to Santa Clara on your way
to the Interamericana.
San Juan de Laguna is a very small village known
for the use of natural dyes in their textiles. Winding through the
streets you will also discover some terrific folk art murals on several
of the village buildings.
San Pedro la Laguna, located at the base of the Volcano
San Pedro is filled with budget ¨backpacker¨ accommodations. This
is where climbs of San Pedro begin. The climb itself is steep, strenuous
and gorgeous. It begins in coffee and corn plants and at the top there
is a stunning view of the crater and the lake. Be sure to bring plenty
of water, and be aware of altitude sickness!
Santiago Atitlán one of the bigger villages on the
lake, this is a shopper's haven. Winding your way up to the historic
cathedral, shops and vendors are inescapable. Here you will be asked
if you want to visit Maximón, a very ¨colorful¨ pagan saint.
San Lucas, tucked into the corner of Lake Atitlan
is a quiet village surrounded by coffee plants and beauty of nature.
San Antonio Palopó has both women´s weaving cooperatives
and pottery to lure the tourist. San Antonio is virtually ¨at the
end of the road¨ and offers the most stunning view of sunset from
the gleaming white church in the center of town.
Santa Catarina Palopó is a charming village with
a women's cooperative that supports the school. As in all villages,
you are met at the dock with women and children selling their wares.
Weather:
Guatemala is called the "Land of Eternal Spring" because
the average annual temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (a bit cooler,
especially in the evenings around Lake Atitlan, 5,000ft elevation).
While June through August see the most tourists, April, early May
and November for gorgeous weather and smaller crowds. The rainy season
lasts from May to October, typically beginning each day wioth clear
skys and clouding up and rains beginning after mid-day. The Semana
Santa (Easter week) proceedings in March or April are very popular
and bookings need to be made far in advance. High season rates apply
for most hotels both During Semana Santa and the Christmas/New Years
seasons.
Historical Perspective
The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions
of Central America for more than one thousand years until the 1100's.
From 1524 to 1821, the Spanish ruled Central America. During the second
half of the 20th century, Guatemala experienced a variety of military
and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996,
the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict,
which had led to the death of between 100,000 and 200,000 people and
had created some 1 million refugees. Further, it is estimated that
the civil war left 125,000 children as orphans and 36,000 women as
widows. Since 1996, Guatemala has seen an increase in legal, linguistic
and educational rights for the indigenous people and has enjoyed greater
tranquility.