Lake Atitlán
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Lake Atitlan and where is it?
This is the deepest lake in Central America in southwestern Guatemala, at an altitude of about 1,562 meters in a mountainous area. It lies in a huge caldera left by a supervolcano that erupted about 79,500 years ago, so you are actually swimming in the mouth of a volcano.
How deep and big is it?
The maximum depth is up to 340 meters, the area is about 130 square meters. km, and the dimensions are approximately 18 by 8 km. It is squeezed on three sides by the San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan volcanoes.
How to get there?
The lake lies approximately 50 km west-northwest of Antigua Guatemala. There is no road around the lake itself, so it is most convenient to travel between coastal towns by boat.
What to see around the lake?
The most famous towns are Panajachel, Santiago Atitlán, San Pedro la Laguna and Santa Catarina Palopo, where Mayan Indians (Tsutuhili and Kaqchikel) live in traditional clothing. Adrenaline lovers can go cliff jumping near San Marcos.
What should you watch out for on the water?
In the afternoon, a strong wind named Khokomil rises here, which quickly disperses the waves and makes crossings unpleasant. Mornings on the water are calmer than afternoons, so it is better to plan boat trips for the first half of the day.
