Lake Atitlan Guatemala isn’t just a lake; it’s a world apart where beauty, ancient faiths and mysticism entrap visitors and incant thoughts of never returning home again. Such was the case for two of Yolkobsens’ Canadian guests as they kayaked their way across the water.

The three-day tour, lead by an experienced lake guide, took our Canuck adventurers to Maya pueblos, lakeside lunches, mile-high hikes, a shrine to mystic Maximo, the saint of the alcohol and tobacco besotted, and sunsets that tattoo on the memory.

Lee & Elaine Beal are life-long adventure travelers always looking for the path less taken. In 2005, they settled on the shores of Lake Atitlán and fell in love with the lake and its people. They have years of experience as adventurers; rafting, hiking, biking, rock climbing, camping, and teambuilding in the Rocky Mountains of the US.

Pedro Solis is a Guatemalan native, owns and operates the Santa Cruz Spanish School, and is our expert in all things local. Pedro can arrange for a home-stay if you would like to spend an evening with a local family.

Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlán) is a large endorheic lake (one that does not flow to the sea) in the Guatemalan Highlands. Lake Atitlan is recognized to be the deepest lake in Central America with maximum depth about 340 meters. The lake is shaped by deep escarpments which surround it and by three volcanoes on its southern flank. Lake Atitlan is further characterized by towns and villages of the Maya people.

Lake Atitlan is about 50 kilometres (31 mi) west-northwest of Antigua.