In the highlands, located in the northeast part of the country, are found the greatest number of Maya communities. Around the beautiful volcanic lakeAtitlàn several communities practice traditions that have survived for centuries. Panajachel, Today an important tourist center, is a popular place to stay and starting point for visits to some nearby towns: Santiago Atitlàn, which produces wonderful textiles; Sololà, with an impressive market; San Lucas Tolimàn, an attractive town with houses made from bamboo and stone; and San Antonio Palopò, where inhabitants still dress in traditional clothing.

Few places in the world can march the spectacular beautyof LakeAtitlàn, one of Guatemala’s most prized natural treasures. Located in the highlands at an altitude of 1562 m ASL, the lake offers an idyllic climate, with comfortably cool days and pleasantly warm evenings all year long. Only occasionally does a strong wind, known as theXocomil, disturb this tropical paradise, lashing the lake’s surface and sending fishermen scurrying to shore.

Geologists believe the lake began to formafter a volcanic caldera collapsed some 85,000 years ago, three dormant volcanoes-Atitlàn, Toliman and San Pedro – from the spectacular southern backdrop of the lake, mute reminders of its volcanic origin. Atitlàn, the tallest of the three, soars to a height of 3,537 m ASL. The lake itselfcovers about 130 square kilometers and measures more than 17 kilometers across.

Half of the villages around the lake’s shore are occupied by Maya-Cakchiquel inhabitants, while the other half of theshore belongs to Maya – Tzutujil people, According to an ancient Cakchiquel legend, thelake, which originally belongedentirely to the tzutujils, was dividedbetween the twogroupsafter Gagavitz, the firstgreat Cakchiquel leader, hurled himself into the lake and changed into Gucumatz, the Feathered serpent god of the Maya. As recorded in the annals of the Cakchiquels, “ the waters darkened, then a north wind blew and a whirlpoolformed in the water that moved the surface of the lake”. Upon witnessing this display of power, the Tzutujils agreed to givehalf of their lake to the cakchiquel, along with halfof the “ ducks, crabs, fish and cane” that the lake produced.

Today, the lake’s Maya inhabitants work peacefully at a number of trades, fishing from hand-made, dugout canoes, cutting cane used to make rush mats, farming in plots irrigated by water from the lake, tending to coffee farms or pursuing creative activities such as weaving, embroidery and painting, travellers will be greeted by many a friendly smile as they hike around the lake and visit its picturesque villages.

Activities around LakeAtitlan include swimming, hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, sailing, a visit to a museum or butterfly garden, or simply relaxing with a cup of cappuccino while watching a splendid sunset over the world’s most beautiful lake.