Goodbye Tikal! We were on our way to Lake Atitlan. We used different modes of transportation in one day. We started early in the morning by taking tuk-tuk ride to the Flores airport. After a quick and easy 40-minute flight to Guatemala City, we retrieved our large luggage from a friendly home-stay near the airport. We left it for safekeeping during our stay in Tikal. Once we got our luggage, we went to the tourist information agency to arrange transportation to Lake Atitlan. Unfortunately, the only option available was transportation with a transfer in Antigua. We took a share taxi for 15 USD per person to Antigua, followed by a shuttle bus for Q150 to our final destination. The journey was long, 3.5 hours, with the final leg leading along a winding mountain road. We finally arrived at the lake at around 3:30 pm and completed the last stretch of the journey by boat. We took a boat trip from Panajachel to San Pedro that lasted about 45 minutes. It’s worth noting that the boat only departs once all passengers are on board, which can take some time. After a wonderful journey, we stayed at the Casa Elena Hotel. The hotel is located in an absolutely stunning spot right on the lake, providing breathtaking views from both the window and terrace. During my stay, I spent hours relaxing in the hammock on the terrace, admiring the beautiful lake surrounded by volcanoes. A room with a bathroom and two large beds costs Q200 per night.
Solola hosts a local market on Tuesdays and Fridays, and it’s a great place to meet friendly locals and immerse yourself in the vibrant Mayan culture. The colorful Mayan costumes are a popular subject for photographs, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to snap some amazing shots. During our visit, we spent two hours taking unforgettable photos. However, I understood that not everyone might have been pleased with the influx of tourists, but we all had to tolerate it.
Our journey to Solola was completed in two stages. First, we took a boat from San Pedro to Panajachel (Q25), and then we hopped on a chicken bus (Q5) to reach our destination village.
The next day we went to San Juan, a charming village located on Lake Atitlan. We took a tuk-tuk from San Pedro, which cost Q20, to reach the viewpoint. The climb up to Mirador Cerro Kaqasiiwaan was a bit challenging, but totally worth it! We paid Q30 for admission and were blown away by the breathtaking panoramic view of the entire lake on such a sunny and cloudless day.
After taking in the view, we strolled down to San Juan. If you’re in the Lake Atitlan area, I would definitely suggest checking out this charming village. You’ll find plenty of stores selling paintings and other souvenirs on several picturesque streets, including Calle de Sombrero. The buildings along these distinctive streets are adorned with beautiful murals. San Juan may not be a big city, but it has plenty of attractions that can keep you busy for at least half a day!
In the afternoon, we planned to visit Santiago Atitlan to see the statue of the famous Maximón. Maximón is an interesting example of the fusion of traditional Mayan beliefs with the Christian religion, representing both light and darkness. He is considered both the patron saint of spousal virtue and a ladykiller. According to legend, fishermen who were often away from home, hired Maximón to protect the virtue of their wives. In order to have sex with the fishermen’s wives, Maximón would disguise himself as a sweetheart. Maximón is such an interesting figure! Every year, he changes his place of residence and during Holy Week, he is paraded through the streets before being relocated to a new house for the following year. It’s amazing how much faith people put in him! Local residents make offerings at his shrine in the form of moonshine, cigarettes, or money, hoping to receive various favors related to health or love.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to visit the Maximón Shrine. But, later that afternoon, we visited San Pedro where we coincidentally attended a local funeral procession that walked through the streets.
During our three-day stay at Lake Atitlan, we visited four villages. If you have the chance, make sure to visit the local bazaar on market day. You’ll get to see colorfully dressed representatives of the local communities or descendants of the famous Maya doing their shopping. The market in Solola is particularly ideal on Fridays and Tuesdays, but other towns also have bazaars on different days of the week. If you’re looking for a great place to stay, San Pedro is a wonderful town with plenty of accommodations. I would highly recommend rooms with a view of the lake. San Marcos is a popular destination among travelers to San Pedro, so you won’t be disappointed!
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