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Lake Atitlan Guatemala
Lake Atitlan is the jewel of Guatemala and only a few hour's
ride from Antigua Guatemala.Yolkobsens spent six months at the most
beautiful lake in the world, but even a day trip to thisspectacular
force of nature will cause you to revisit your idea of what a lake
is. Actually, it might getyou to re-examine your notion about the
character of water altogether. It's that powerful an
experience.Eerie and, at the same time, softly mystical is Lake
Atitlan.
Mr. and Mrs. Yolkobsen understand that not all travelers are so
blessed that they can spend manymonths staring at views that defy
description. For example, the colours of the lake change by
theminute or the hour, aqua to azure blue and back again, often
with reflections of the three majestic, butmercifully extinct,
volcanoes that dominate the "lakescape." But a one-day excursion or
overnightstay will at least give you an experience of a unique lake
you will not soon forget.
From Antigua Guatemala, the trip takes about 2 1/2 hours via
private shuttle or touring bus.Chicken bus rides, with their own
spirited schedules, are slightly longer. Once you get to Lake
Atitlan,you'll get around by water taxi. A regular and organized
service operates around the clock til nighttimetaking travelers to
points around the lake. Cost for a boat ride is around $2. If you
go with a tourism
company, you can opt for a package which includes transportation
to Lake Atitlan and several of themany Mayan villages that ring the
lake.
Lake Atitln [Lago de Atitln] is by far the most spectacluar lake
in the world to visit. Its greenmountain ranges, blue waters and
three perfectly shaped volcanoes provide a wonderful view from
anyof the 12 villages that surround it. Another prime feature to
enjoy is the lakes culture.
A short description of the villages surrounding the lake:
Panajachel is the centered tourist town. From here you can take
a boat to any of the other villages, shopor enjoy the biggest
variety of hotels and restaurants around Lake Atitlan.
Santa Catarina can be reached by car or pickup truck from
Panajachel by road. It has a plaza that holdsthe towns main
activities, painting galleries and tipica for sale, on the way down
to the lake. Here youalso find Hotel Casa Palop and a few
restaurants.
San Antonio is a village with many of its people still wearing
traditional clothing. While Panajachel'sshoreline is filled with
hotels and restaurants, San Antonio still offers onion fields and
other naturalviews. Many tourists visit this village for its
ceramics factories and stores.
Santa Cruz la Laguna, only accessible by boat, is a small
laid-back village. It hosts famous and unique
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hotels like La Iguana Perdida and La Casa Rosa." Many foreign
artists reside there. Its the bestplace to start shoreline hikes
with amazing views of Lake Atitlan.
El Jaibalito and Tzunun belong to the smaller villages at the
lake. Over 99% of its population areindigenous Kaqchikel. The two
villages are very quiet places to visit but do have tourist
infrastructurewith Hotel Restaurant Lomas de Tzununa and club Ven
Aca, a restaurant bar on the waterfront inJaibalito.
San Marcos la Laguna offers reiki, yoga, massages,
aromatherapies, Chinese health therapies,reflexology, meditation,
holistic treatments and other new age therapies. The famous Las
PirmidesMeditation Centre offers a month long Moon-course, which
addresses spiritual topics and ends in aweek of silence and
fasting.
San Pedro la Laguna, like Panajachel, is a true backpacker
destination. Many tourists study Spanishhere, enjoy horseback
riding or climb the San Pedro volcano. The town offers a wide
variety of hotelsand restaurants, for a low budget.
Santiago Atitlan is the largest community around the lake. It
was also the capital of the Tz'utujil cultureand many still
practice its old traditions. The main street up from the dock
offers many stores andstands where the local artisans sell wooden
and other handcrafted products. The town offers a smallvariety of
quality hotel-restaurants like Posada Santiago.
