lake atitlan

• 14 comments •


Our first morning at Lake Atitlan was filled with pancakes, maple syrup, lots of tea, and... parrots. Not a typical Guatemalan breakfast, but a welcome change from all of the unusual foods we had tried the prior week.


There are several towns surrounding the lake. The largest is Panajachel - where there were a lot of Americans on vacation. Our hotel was in a town called San Antonio Palopo, and we didn't see any other tourists, so we felt pretty isolated.


It was a little inconvenient to be far away from all the businesses of Panajachel, but it was only a 20 minute ride in the back of a random person's pickup to get into town - for the price of 5 Quetzals. Since all the locals get rides into town in this manner, it is completely safe.

The few thousand people in the town are primarily Cakchiquel Maya. They retain their traditional clothes and language, although Spanish is widely understood.

The best thing about staying in San Antonio is that we felt that we really got to see the authentic culture of the people in the area and that it wasn't just catered to visitors. We were able to to relax without being harassed by people trying to sell us things. We sometimes felt that it was just the two of us on the lake!


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14 comments

  1. kate3.1.10

    That lake is gorgeous!

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  2. _3.1.10

    what a lovely way to start the day!
    the lakes look so peaceful.
    s.

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  3. Jaime @ laviejaime3.1.10

    Such gorgeous photos and what a fabulous place (and meal) to start the new year! :)

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  4. Louis Duke Photography3.1.10

    Such beautiful views

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  5. Traveller3.1.10

    What an amazing experience! There are only a few places like that left in the world it would seem.

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  6. Shannon OD3.1.10

    What a gorgeous way to spend the holidays! I love that you guys had to jump into the truck with the locals, that's the sign of total immersion :-) Sounds like a beautiful area!

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  7. Jen Laceda | Milk Guides3.1.10

    I was just considering a short jaunt to Antigua and Lake Atitlan! But because I am in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, I don't think this is anymore possible. So, I will live vicariously through u guys!

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  8. Amy3.1.10

    those pancakes look delicious!

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  9. Nina3.1.10

    WOW. that is so incredibly beautiful.

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  10. Julia3.1.10

    those pancakes look so delicious! i love your pictures. you look so warm. happy new year!

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  11. defining amy4.1.10

    i shouldn't have favorites. but your blog is my favorite. happy travels!!

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  12. Anonymous4.1.10

    Your blog is so inspiring, and I love the little tips you've been posting. Thanks for letting me travel vicariously through you!

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  13. Sum4.1.10

    Those pancakes look yummy. I want to be at the end of the dock right now. Dangle my feet in the water and read a book. Too cool! I want to go there one day.

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  14. iida6.1.10

    Oh, it sounds so wonderfully calm and peaceful!

    ReplyDelete

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