Quebec to Panama 2017-2019
(North and Central America)
16 months - solo travel - Suzuki DR650

Lago de Atitlán

December 2, 2018  —  Guatemala 2
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala

Lake Atitlán is born from a massive eruption some 84,000 years ago. The quantity of magma expelled from the Earth's depth caused the surface terrain to collapse, forming a hollow quickly filled with water. Lake Atitlán was born.

Smaller volcanoes appeared some thousands years later: Volcán San Pedro at 3020 metres was born 60,000 years ago, then Volcán Atitlán (3537 metres), and Volcán Tolimán (3158 metres). Nowadays, the lake as an average depth of 220 metres and the water level has been on the rise for the last 10 years or so.

The lake is a superb place for landscapes, idyllic villages, markets, and a pleasant climate since it lies at an altitude of 1562 metres. It is considered as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and it's the most visited place in Guatemala.

Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
From left to right, above the clouds: Atitlán (3537 metres), Tolimán (3158 metres) and San Pedro (3020 metres).
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Panajachel

Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala

Panajachel is the biggest town around the lake. It's a very touristy place, overrun by souvenir stalls.

The town is not especially nice, but all along the lakeside, the scenery is fantastic.

Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Panajachel - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
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Sololá

Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
The new building for the market.

The town of Sololá is located at nearly 500 metres above Lake Atitlán. Its principal attraction is the twice-weekly market.

Traders come from neighbouring villages, and it's possible to see women and even men dressed in very coloured traditional outfits. However, the market is now under a modern concrete building. It somewhat kills the picturesque side of the event.

Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Sololá - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
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Santa Catarina Palopó

Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala

Village where craftmanship is the main attraction.

Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
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San Antonio Palopó

San Antonio Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala

Small peaceful and sleepy hillside village.

San Antonio Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
San Antonio Palopó - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
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San Lucas Tolimán

San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala

The region around San Lucas Tolimán is mainly dedicated to growing coffee.

San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
San Lucas Tolimán - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
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San Pedro la Laguna

San Pedro La Laguna - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
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San Marcos la Laguna

San Marcos la Laguna - Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
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Landscapes

Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala
Lake Atitlán - Guatemala