The Beauty of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: Part One
My recommendations for hotels + places to stay on the shores of one of my very favorite spots in the world.
Lake Atitlán is a destination out of a dream. Set in the Guatemalan Highlands, Atitlán is one of my most favorite places in the world to wake up. It is majestic and peaceful, radiating a rich, ancient, palpable energy. To sit on a quiet dock and watch the sunrise is a spiritual experience accompanied only by birds singing and the soft sound of paddles cutting through the water as an occasional fishermen in his traditional wooden cayuco sets out for a morning catch.
At 350 meters in depth, Atitlán is the deepest lake in Central America, born from volcanic activity almost 84,000 years ago and now embraced in a basin of three massive, quiet volcanoes – Tolimán, Atitlán, and San Pedro. Its nourishing blue waters hold so much history.
Surrounded by eleven indigenous villages that pulse with color and life, Lake Atitlán isn’t just beautiful – it’s a haven for anyone wanting to rest, to disconnect, to embark on an adventure, or to dive deep into the rich culture of Maya life and community. For the Maya, Atitlán is more than just a lake. It is sacred. The connection between the people and these waters is intimate and one of mutual respect and dependence. It’s cultural through lines connect villages like threads of a tapestry, each one with it’s own unique colors, textiles, rhythm and traditions.
From Aurora Airport in Guatemala City, getting to Lake Atitlán takes a bit of time - expect a scenic 3 to 4 hour drive (depending on traffic). The roads through the highlands are windy, so if are prone to getting car sick make sure to pack Dramamine or a homeopathic remedy to have on hand. When you’re flying into Guatemala, I only recommend trying to make the journey straight to Lake Atitlán if you are landing before noon. If you are landing later than noon, it is best not to try the same-day trek and instead break up the journey by stopping in Antigua first. This is in part because many (most) of the hotels on the lake are only accessible by boat so you want to make sure to arrive by daylight.
To really soak in everything Lake Atitlán has to offer, plan for at least two days and two nights. Trust me – you’ll want to stay longer!
Below is a cohesive list of my top recommendations for places to stay while visiting Lake Atitlán (none of which are sponsored, but it would be great if you want to tell them Molly from Luna Zorro sent you!).
