Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but Lake Atitlán is the most beautiful lake in the world. Lake Atitlán is located in the highlands of Guatemala and it is surrounded by small communities where Mayan culture is still part of everyday life. The area also has 3 majestic volcanoes which tower over the lake. The sunsets are simply breathtaking and there’s a magical feel which hangs over the entire area.

The largest indigenous village near the lake is Santiago Atitlán, where an idol called Maximon is worshipped by the locals. This idol was created from a mixture of traditional Mayan gods and Catholic saints. Children will come up to you and ask you if you want to go visit Maximon and if you agree, they will guide you to his house and then ask you for the obligatory donation.

As it was market day in Santiago when we visited, I was more attracted by all the colorful produce and products that were on sale, ranging from live roosters to batteries, from ripe avocadoes to health potions. The local people wear their typical garments so tourists are easily spotted, but we were always greeted with a smile and we were offered a lot of handicrafts, such as, key chains in the shape of a quetzal bird, hand painted masks, oil paintings or jewelry. Needless to say my Guatemalan quetzales were easily spent in Santiago.

Another town near the lake is Panajachel, which is the major tourist town of the Lake Atitlan area. The streets are filled with tourists, hotels, restaurants and just outside the town you can visit a nature reserve where you can take self-guided tours along hanging bridges, go zip lining, or even observe spider monkeys that are hanging from the trees while being surrounded by coatis (a type of raccoon).

To reach Atitlán, you have to drive about 4 hours from the capital city of Guatemala or 3 hours from the colonial town of Antigua along the Pan-American Highway. The Lake Atitlán region has a lot to offer and it was sad to leave this beautiful lake behind.

I was told that the best time to visit the Lake Atitlán region or Guatemala in general is during Semana Santa or Holy Week (from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday) when processions go through towns and the country is wrapped in extraordinary colors. But if you want to experience these festivities in the town of Antigua, you have to book your hotel one year in advance. Plenty of time to plan a trip for next year.