Lake Atitlán Guatemala (What You Need To Know About this Volcanic Paradise) - Great Escapes Journal (2023)

FAQs

What is Lake Atitlan known for? ›

Gallery. Located in the department of Sololá, Lake Atitlán is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Guatemala, and was nominated as one of the seven wonders of the world. It is considered to be the most beautiful lake in the world, and it is also conceived as one of the most unique places.

Lake Atitlán

Lake Atitlán is renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Formed 84,000 years ago during an enormous volcanic eruption, Lake Atitlán is Central America's deepest lake, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes covered with blooming wildflowers most of the year.

It's generally considered safe to swim in Lake Atitlan. Many of the lake's hotels and resorts boast swimming areas and docks, and some of the towns also have public swimming areas. San Marcos, with its nature reserve and massive diving platform, is an especially popular spot for bathers.

Located in Guatemala's Western Highlands, Lake Atitlan is a tourist-friendly area rich in the Mayan culture. There are more than 20 Mayan ethnic groups in Guatemala, and the Lake Atitlan area is home to a handful of them, most notably the Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel people.

Mosquitoes – Lake Atitlán is at altitude and there are no mosquitoes.

The tap water at Lake Atitlan is not safe to drink. You will need to drink bottled water, boil it, use a steripen or treat the water with tablets.

I would recommend at least one week in Lake Atitlan, if not more. I understand most people visit the lake on a weekend trip or even a full-day trip from Antigua, but I would encourage you to slow it down even more.

In the Guatemalan highlands, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Antigua, lies Lake Atitlan. Renowned as one of the world's most beautiful lakes, this volcanic crater is the deepest lake in Central America, and is considered a sacred place amongst the Maya people.

About 10 minutes into the hike, you come to a platform where you can observe spider monkeys and coatis, a racoon-like creature. The monkeys aren't wild - they were pets whose owners couldn't handle them - but it is cool to see them in forest. Definitely bring some bananas, or buy them at the visitor centre.

Is Lake Atitlan water warm? ›

On average the water temperature in Lake Atitlan stays around 70°F (21°C), due to the thermal heating emitted from the surrounding volcanoes.

Most of the lake has excellent water quality for recreational purposes; it is drinking-water quality. The less cleaner areas are at the front of the largest towns such as Santiago Atitlán, San Lucas and Panajachel.

Lake Atitlan Internet Speeds + SIM Cards

Internet speeds vary around the lake. You can expect the wifi at most hotels and restaurants to be no more than 5-10 Mbps.

Many migratory birds use Lake Atitlán as a wintering ground: Pied-billed Grebe (Podylimbus podiceps), Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) and American Coot (Fulica Americana). Roadrunners (Geococcyx velox), which are typical for Xeric Associations occur in the region as well.

Lake Atitlan is home to multiple Mayan languages. In Panajachel they speak Kaqchikel and in San Pedro, Tz'utujil. While most local people do speak Spanish, it is not their first language. Spanish is spoken out of necessity and is more of an afterthought.

Zones 9 & 10

Avenida La Reforma, just south of the city centre, separates the two zones, with Zone 9 to the west and Zone 10 to the east. These tree-lined avenues are home to Guatemala's wealthiest residents, as well as the city's most expensive hotels.

Tourists don't tend to experience violent crime in Guatemala; the most common type of crime reported by tourists is theft and armed robbery. Purse-snatchers and pickpockets are often found in popular areas, large cities, and crowded markets.

DEET and Picardin Options

The CDC recommends an insect repellent that contains at least 20% DEET. You can buy repellent at most grocery and convenience stores in Costa Rica, but unfortunately they mostly carry ones that have 15% DEET. This may work for a short amount of time but a higher concentration will last longer.

If you'll be traveling in Guatemala during this time of the year be sure to take precautions to protect yourself from mosquitos, since they can transmit malaria. A good way to do so is by using insect repellent with DEET and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Can I brush my teeth with the water in Guatemala? ›

The tap water in Guatemala is not safe to drink and water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water is recommended. Milk may be unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is advised.

95% of the water in Guatemala is dangerous to drink.

Furthermore, 97% of the lakes and rivers in Antigua are contaminated. Drinking water in Guatemala that has not been purified can lead to nasty digestive issues from the bacteria and parasites that are ingested.

In terms of safety, the tap water in Spain is perfectly drinkable. However, as mentioned previously, depending on the area in which you reside, your tap water may have a certain odour and/or taste. This can be due to the higher levels of chlorine, sediment and minerals that it contains.

What to Wear When Traveling in Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a hiking and sightseeing paradise. Lightweight pants, jeans and a short-sleeved shirt are perfect attire. Good sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommended. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are a must when hiking as the sun is very strong during daytime hours.

Guatemala is one of the most affordable countries in Central America. You can travel very cheaply or spend a little more and live in real comfort or luxury. Budget travelers can get by on as little as $20 a day, while $70 a day will allow you to travel reasonably well.

Lake Atitlan is very safe — one of the safest places in Latin America. Like all other destinations, keep an eye on your belongings and don't drink too much.

The most likely answer for the clue is DIOS.

The majority of modern-day Maya live in Guatemala, which is home to Tikal National Park, the site of the ruins of the ancient city of Tikal. Roughly 40 percent of Guatemalans are of Mayan descent.

Although Lake Atitlan is great to visit throughout the year, aside from Hurricane prone months, the best time of year to travel is right after the winter season.

Definitely not. over a year ago. No, the water is absolutely beautiful, as is the volcanoes.

Are there spider monkeys in Guatemala? ›

The Yucatan spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis), also known by its mayan name "Ma'ax", is a disputed subspecies of Geoffroy's spider monkey, and is one of the largest types of New World monkey. It inhabits Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. It is a social animal, living in groups of 20-42 members.

Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Although the majority of serious crime involves local gangs, incidents are usually indiscriminate and can occur in tourist areas. Despite the high levels of crime, most visits to Guatemala are trouble-free.

What is the warmest body of water on Earth? The hottest ocean area is in the Persian Gulf, where water temperatures at the surface exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Another hot area exists in the Red Sea, where a temperature of 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit has been recorded at a depth of about 6,500 feet.

In 2017, the Environmental Ministry affirmed that 95% of surface water sources in Guatemala were found to be contaminated. Due to the lack of regulations and policies – such as a water law and poor resource management – limited access to potable water affects the country's most vulnerable populations.

Guatemala's main environmental problems are deforestation—over 50% of the nation's forests have been destroyed since 1890—and consequent soil erosion. As recently as 1993, the nation obtained 90% of its energy from wood, losing 40,000-60,000 hectares of forest per year.

Natural Beauty

This is not to say that Guatemalan girls are inferior in curvaceous forms and beautiful facial features. However, their beauty is modest, pure, and not defiant. The natural beauty of Guatemalan women allows them not to use a lot of makeup and still look attractive.

It's probably one of the most famous beaches in Guatemala. Its waters are warm and the waves are moderate. The sand is white and fine and there's plenty of vegetation, especially coconut trees.

Broadband internet in Guatemala 2005 - 2020

Guatemala is lagging behind in the expansion of broadband Internet connections. Around 50% of all residents have access to the Internet. Around 4% have their own fast Internet connection, which is at least faster than the former ISDN (more than 256 kbit/s).

Can you walk around Lake Atitlan? ›

Whether you are a newbie hiker or a prolific mountain climber, there are some truly incredible hikes to do around Lake Atitlan. Cross maize and coffee plantations, stroll between colorful indigenous Maya towns, and trek up steep slopes to reach the summit of ancient, and once volatile, volcanoes.

Gallery. Located in the department of Sololá, Lake Atitlán is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Guatemala, and was nominated as one of the seven wonders of the world. It is considered to be the most beautiful lake in the world, and it is also conceived as one of the most unique places.

Lake Atitlán

Lake Atitlán is renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Formed 84,000 years ago during an enormous volcanic eruption, Lake Atitlán is Central America's deepest lake, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes covered with blooming wildflowers most of the year.

In Guatemala, sharks are one of the main fisheries for the region of the Pacific and one of the main artisanal fisheries in the Caribbean of Guatemala.

It's generally considered safe to swim in Lake Atitlan. Many of the lake's hotels and resorts boast swimming areas and docks, and some of the towns also have public swimming areas. San Marcos, with its nature reserve and massive diving platform, is an especially popular spot for bathers.

Yucatec language, also called Maya or Yucatec Maya, American Indian language of the Mayan family, spoken in the Yucatán Peninsula, including not only part of Mexico but also Belize and northern Guatemala.

Spanish is the official language of Guatemala. As a first and second language, Spanish is spoken by 93% of the population. Guatemalan Spanish is the local variant of the Spanish language.

In the Guatemalan highlands, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Antigua, lies Lake Atitlan. Renowned as one of the world's most beautiful lakes, this volcanic crater is the deepest lake in Central America, and is considered a sacred place amongst the Maya people.

Mayan Ruins Iximche Guatemala is the closest Mayan ruins to Lake Atitlan Guatemala. Located near Lake Atitlan this Maya Kakchikel site is a fun day trip from Lake Atitlan, Guatemala City, and Antigua Guatemala.

Lake Atitlan is home to multiple Mayan languages. In Panajachel they speak Kaqchikel and in San Pedro, Tz'utujil. While most local people do speak Spanish, it is not their first language. Spanish is spoken out of necessity and is more of an afterthought.

Why is Lake Atitlan so deep? ›

Although it is recognized as Central America's deepest lake (estimated at over 340 meters), Atitlán is so deep it has yet to be properly sounded. It is the result of a massive volcanic explosion 84000 years ago, known as the Los Chocoyos eruption.

The most likely answer for the clue is DIOS.

The tap water at Lake Atitlan is not safe to drink. You will need to drink bottled water, boil it, use a steripen or treat the water with tablets.

The majority of modern-day Maya live in Guatemala, which is home to Tikal National Park, the site of the ruins of the ancient city of Tikal. Roughly 40 percent of Guatemalans are of Mayan descent.

About 10 minutes into the hike, you come to a platform where you can observe spider monkeys and coatis, a racoon-like creature. The monkeys aren't wild - they were pets whose owners couldn't handle them - but it is cool to see them in forest. Definitely bring some bananas, or buy them at the visitor centre.

Many migratory birds use Lake Atitlán as a wintering ground: Pied-billed Grebe (Podylimbus podiceps), Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) and American Coot (Fulica Americana). Roadrunners (Geococcyx velox), which are typical for Xeric Associations occur in the region as well.

Yucatec language, also called Maya or Yucatec Maya, American Indian language of the Mayan family, spoken in the Yucatán Peninsula, including not only part of Mexico but also Belize and northern Guatemala.

I would recommend at least one week in Lake Atitlan, if not more. I understand most people visit the lake on a weekend trip or even a full-day trip from Antigua, but I would encourage you to slow it down even more.

Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Although the majority of serious crime involves local gangs, incidents are usually indiscriminate and can occur in tourist areas. Despite the high levels of crime, most visits to Guatemala are trouble-free.

Lake Atitlan is very safe — one of the safest places in Latin America. Like all other destinations, keep an eye on your belongings and don't drink too much.

What is at the bottom of Lake Atitlan? ›

The city is located at the bottom of Lake Atitlan, in the Solola Department, near the town of Panajachel. An international team of experts has explored the 2,000-year-old sunken Mayan city of Atitlan and declared it a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The annual average temperature in Lake Atitlan is around 19°C to 25°C (66°F to 77°F). It never gets too cold or too hot which is what I heard about the weather in Lake Atitlan but I couldn't comprehend what they meant. You really need to be there to experience the perfect temperature!