Panajachel, lago de Atitlan, Chichicastenango

Places of Interest - Guatemala

Chicicastenango-Market-Guatemala-Latin-America

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introduction

Perhaps the biggest tourist attraction in Guatemala is the volcanic lake Atitlan and its small villages on it’s banks. The 300 meters deep lake is surrounded by no less than 12 volcanoes (named after the “Apostles”) and is sometimes described as the most beautiful in the world. Volcano Atitlan is the giant of the lake with it’s 3537 meters altitude. You can walk through the many villages on the lake, take a boat trip or enjoy the clear water and rest here.

The area is mainly known for its delicious coffee. Panajachel is the main hub and other smaller villages around the lake are San Pedro La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan, San Marcos la Laguna, Santa Cararna Palopo and San Antonio Palopo. In 2005, Hurricane “Stan” caused major damage in the villages around the lake and many bridges were removed. The damage is currently being nullified.

Chichicastenango lies on the high plateau (more than 2000 meters altitude) at more than 30 km north of Panajachel and Lake Atitlan. The population in this part of Guatemala is largely of Indian (Maya) origin and keeps its traditional practices in honor. Every Thursday and Sunday there is a large market in Chichicastenango where many tourists come.

Lago-Atitlan-Guatemala-Boat-Lake-Panajachel

highlights

Panajachel (Atitlan lake):

The village of Panajachel is located on the banks of Lake Atitlán, at an altitude of 1597 meters. This place is the busiest and largest town on the lake. It also has the best facilities in terms of transport, accommodation and booking of tours and other activitiesal.

Most people earn their living in the tourism industry. In the main street, Calle Santander, dozens of (souvenir) shops, restaurants, hotels and travel agencies can be found. But Panajachel has also beautiful views of the shore over the many volcanoes around the lake.

Besides the international tourists, the place is also popular with local people, especially at weekends.

San Pedro de Laguna (Atitlan lake):

Located at the foot of the San Pedro volcano (3020 meters), San Pedro de Laguna is one of the most visited villages along the lake. Reason is besides its beauty the many activities that can be developed here and the cheap accommodation. You can take Spanish lessons, learn how to paint or drumming, but also it’s possible to climb the volcano, make many hikes in the area or relax in a hammock and/or in a cafe.

You also have many plateaus where coffee beans are drying and coffee is traded along the road in large traditional bags and old-fashioned scales. There is also an interesting museum: Museo Tz'unun Ya where information about the region is and also a real Mayan altar.

Boats go to Santiago Atitlan, Panajachel and San Marcos La Laguna. On the shores of the lake, indigenous women can often be found in beautiful colored clothes that are doing their laundry.

San Juan La Laguna (Lake Atitlan)

Two kilometers east of San Pedro lies the more quiet village of San Juan which has escaped the great appeal of commerce (till now). The local Tz'utujil Indians live here by making and selling traditional goods such as painting ropes and paintings.

You can make an interesting tour through the village with a local guide and visit two weavers. He will also take you to an art gallery where paintings have been made by local inhabitants. Finally, wall paintings are everywhere on local buildings.

You can also join a local fisherman to learn more about authentic fishing methods. He can also explain to you how the reed on the shore is used for the wicker mats that are present everywhere. Here, too, you can take Spanish lessons; there is also the possibility to lie on the beach (Las Cristalinas) and relax. Because no boats come here you will or have to walk or have to hitchhik for a minibus or jeep to the next village.

San Marcos La Laguna (Atitlan lake):

It is said that San Marcos La Laguna is the most beautiful village on the shores of the Atitlan lake. This village is "reserved" for spiritualism; meditation, massages, reiki and yoga are the most important activities here. Important are the Las Piramides Meditation Center and the San Marcos Holistic Center.

But you can also enjoy the beautiful clear water here and dive from the rocks, paragliding, making hikes or to different volcanoes or just walking in the banana- or coffee plantations. You can return from this village by boat through several small villages back to Panajachel but also to San Pedro La Laguna.

Chichicastenango:

Surrounded by valleys with mountains on either side, Chichi, as the “locals” call it, can feel like an island in the sea. Chichicastengo is a city with a dual agenda; the one is that of the Catholics and on the other side the great crowd of natives (Indians) living here. The biggest attraction of the village is the local market which is organized twice a week (Thursday and Sunday).

Thousands of Mayans and many tourists visit the largest market in Central America to buy flowers, souvenirs or any of the other special items. Once the people from the region came here in the evening, cooked their meals in the square and then went to sleep under their clothes to be on the market early the next day to offer their merchandise.

Those days are unfortunately over. On the stairs and in the 400-year-old St. Thomas Church, the merchants spread their wares, incense and sacrifice “Los Magos” food to the Maya god of the earth. Inside are usually a sea of pine leaves and various types of sacrifices such as corn, flowers, bottles of liquor in leaves and burning candles.

Other attractions:

Museo Lacustre Atitlan and Reserva National Atitlan (both Panajachel). Iximche is an archaeological site about 50 km north of the lake.

tips & advice (2007)

The main bus-stop in Panajachel is at the intersection of Calles Santander and Principal. There are two places where boats arrive and depart for the lake of Atitlan; Playa Publica for boats direction Santiago Atitlan. The other Embarcadero Tzanjuyu is used for every other destination.

Panajachel - San Pedro: from Tzanjuyu regular boats leave westward over the lake towards San Pedro. The 12 km costs about 17Q.

Panajachel - Antigua: the Rebuli bus leaves every so many hours (ask at the bus station or information center) to Antigua from the other side of Principal. The journey will last between 2.5 and 3 hours and costs Q30.

Chichicastengo - Antigua: you can take any bus to Guatemala City (city) and change in Chimaltenango. The journey takes about 3.5 hours.

TIP: for boat transport over the lake you pay as a tourist much more than the locals and a discussion with the captain will not help you. You can take the "normal" boat but also a motorboat (lanchas) which is of course more expensive but faster.

In Calle Santander, the main street of Panajachel is a multitude of restaurants and (food) cafes where you can find

international dishes alongside local (Guatemalan cuisine).

Panajachel is the place around the Atitlan lake that offers the most choice for tourists for overnight stays. From expensive hotel to camping and everything in between. I paid for a single 35Q for a simple room near the center of the town. For a more "authentic", local and intimate atmosphere you will have to choose one of the other villages on the lake.

ATTENTION: tourists are regularly attacked and/or robbed on "quiet" paths around Lake Atitlan. The situation is changing rapidly so let yourself be informed on arrival on the "last" dangerous roads and paths here.

The same counts for kinda agressive "touts" that try to help you find a hotel or want to take a tour. Watch out for the traffic (and smell of exhaust fumes) and finally at busy markets for pickpocketting. Finally, it is very busy with (Western) tourists in the towns of Chichicastengo and especially Panajachel that is not cynically called "gringo-tenango" for nothing.

Panajachel, lago de Atitlan, Chichicastenango

Places of Interest - Guatemala

introduction

highlights

tips & advice (2007)

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