Luxury Lake Atitlan
Tours made for you
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Magical volcanic lake, beautiful scenery and tranquil highland life
Formed over 80,000 years ago by a violent volcanic eruption, Lake Atitlan is one of the world’s most beautiful lakes and both an incredibly tranquil and cultural place to relax for a couple of days.
Characterised by iridescent waters, imposing volcanoes whose fertile slopes support coffee and maize, this is also where the country’s Maya culture and customs are at their strongest. You can experience their resilient traditions and way of life in the colourful Maya villages around the lake such as Santa Catarina Palopo or San Antonio Palopo.
From the very easy going to the highly active, there are numerous ways to enjoy your time on the lake; kayaking, taking a ‘lancha’ (small boat) between villages, hiking volcanoes, bicycling, bird watching and horse riding.
We have also selected only the very best accommodation for your time here in this area of outstanding natural beauty.
Highlights
Hike through Santa Cruz La Laguna, a small Kakchiquel village surrounded by jagged mountains.
Work side-by-side with a local chef as you learn how to make some of Guatemala’s most traditional dishes.
Enjoy a guided tour through Comalapa’s market, passing by local residents dressed in traditional textiles, for a glimpse into daily life in this region.
Visit a women’s cooperative to see how traditional backstrap looms and all-natural dyes are used to make some of Guatemala’s finest textiles.
Lake Atitlan is a magical destination. I recommend learning the secrets of dying yarn naturally from textile artists in the workshops of San Juan, before climbing into a kayak and drifting across the shimmering surface of Lake Atitlan, surveyed by the mighty form of the San Pedro volcano.
Charles Kronsten
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Lake Atitlan
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip Inspiration
Where to go
Antigua
The setting in a central highland valley ringed by three volcanoes, the city was once one of the largest seats of the Spanish colonial empire and has a perfectly preserved blend of that era’s history and its captivating baroque architecture.
Discover more
Guatemala City
The city is big and busy and while architectural gems are rather thin on the ground, it does have the country’s best museums and galleries.
Discover more
Tikal
One of the greatest sites of the Mayan civilisation to survive today, Tikal’s historical statistics and scale are impressive but it’s really the once thriving city’s contrasting thick and magical jungle location that make it so utterly mesmerising.
Discover moreMeet your Latin America team
When to visit
You can discover the natural beauty and historic ruins of Guatemala all year round, thanks to the Central American country’s generally pleasant climate. November to April is the best time to visit Guatemala as they are the dry months, but even during the wet season it doesn’t rain excessively.
Festivals
March, April, September, November
Turtle Nesting
June - December
Visit Tikal
November - August
Guatemala Travel Guides
Plan your trip to Lake Atitlan
Whatever you want from your adventure in Lake Atitlan, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
