Lake Atitlan
Want to see one of the world's most stunning lakes? Guatemala is home to Lake Atitlan, which renowned German explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt dubbed the most beautiful lake in the world. The lake is around 1,115 feet deep, making it the deepest in Central America. It is renowned for its water, which ranges in color from deep blue to green.
Lake Atitlán is surrounded by three volcanoes known as the Three Giants: Atitlán, Tolimán, and San Pedro. Given the proximity, it's not surprising that the lake formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. According to Atlas Obscura, the Los Chocoyos eruption, a significant volcanic explosion, occurred about 84,000 years ago. Magma in the volcano's magma chamber is ejected during a volcanic eruption, sometimes violently. The sides and top of the volcano may collapse inward as the magma chamber empties, forming a caldera, or crater. Lake Atitlán was formed when water gradually filled this crater.
Lake Atitlán is approximately three hours from Guatemala City. The lake is surrounded by a number of villages, including Santiago Atitlán, San Lucas Tolimán, Panajachel, and San Pedro La Laguna, in addition to the volcanoes on its shores.
The villages provide tourists with a variety of environments, ranging from the peaceful Santa Cruz la Laguna and San Pedro - popular tourist destinations - to the festive atmosphere of Panajachel, Sololá's most popular destination. By land, you can reach San Pedro, Santa Clara la Laguna, and the other villages. However, because of the abundance of lodging options in Panajachel, it is usually more convenient to arrive and then take a boat to the surrounding towns.
There are a number of other activities that should not be missed in addition to seeing the lake and visiting local villages. Take an evening cruise from Panajachel to see the stunning sunsets over the lake. You can even hike up the volcanoes if you're feeling brave. San Pedro Volcano, for example, can be climbed in under five hours.
Indian's Nose is a must-hike if you love sunrises. The mountain is known as Indian's Nose because its profile resembles a man's face, and the Mayan culture revered the mountain's pinnacle, which they called the "nose." The excursion will require an early start (about 3:45 a.m.), but it will be well worth it. You may trek up the mountain after taking a quick bus to Santa Clara, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the sun rising over the foggy lake.
Surface elevation: 1,562 m
Area: 130.1 km²
Length: 12 km
Mean depth: 220 m
Max. depth: 340 m (1,120 ft) (est.)
Fish: Largemouth bass
Location: Sololá Department of southwestern Guatemala
