Lake Atitlan

Our first full day at Lake Atitlan began with a steady recuperation from the prior days food poisoning. The area is remote yet gorgeous. Being submerged in the pristine tropical setting was calming and restorative for us. After an energizing breakfast we began to explore our surroundings.

Lake Atitlan holds the title of the deepest lake in Central America. Originally formed by volcanic activity, it is an enormous caldera flanked by massive cliffs and three classic coned volcanos. All three volcanos can be captured in one photograph, which makes for breathtaking vistas. The area has often been noted as one of, if not THE most beautiful lake in the world.

View of a volcano from the pool at Club Ven Aca

Several villages are located along the shore of the lake, the largest being Santiago, which is located on the south side near the base of one of the volcanoes. The most visited and easiest to access is Panajachel. The primary road into the basin leads to Pana (as the locals call it for short) and boats can be taken from there to all the other communities. Pana's primary source of income today is tourism, and has a large number of places for shopping as well as the largest number of hotels and restaurants in the basin.

Our house

Many of the villages can only be accessed by boat, including the small village of Jaibolito, which is right next to where we are staying. Our apartment is actually one of three homes on an area known as Club Ven Aca. Two of the homes are private residences, and the third is available as a short term rental. The Club has a public restaurant at the edge of the water, and serves some of the best cuisine in the area. Tables placed around an infinity pool and hot tub are in a picturesque setting with the three volcanoes in perfect view across the lake. Our two-story house sits in the back of the perfectly manicured property overlooking a well stocked vegetable garden. Our view from the front upper deck peeks over the two private residences and directly faces the lake and volcanos. The other three sides face vegetation rich cliffs which are full of a wide assortment of fruit trees including papaya, avocado and banana. We are surrounded by a grove of lush beauty. Gilligan's Island has nothing on this place.

View of the lake from our balcony window