Lake Atitlán
A deep highland lake under three volcanoes, ringed by Mayan villages, and a short helicopter hop from the capital's runway.
- Arrival
- La Aurora, Guatemala City · GUA
- To the lake
- About 70 km west of GUA in a straight line
- Private jets
- FBOs at GUA, then helicopter
- Best time
- November to April
The city
Still water, three cones.
Atitlán fills a highland basin, the deepest lake in Central America, with the volcanoes San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán rising above the water. Along the shore lie villages where Mayan culture remains part of the everyday, Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó among them on the eastern side.
The lake sits high enough to keep the afternoons near twenty degrees all year. The dry season runs from November to April with barely any rain; from June to September the rain builds through the afternoon.
- The volcanoes San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán, three cones that close the view from almost every terrace on the shore.
- The Palopó villages Santa Catarina and San Antonio, on the eastern shore, where Mayan culture is still part of daily life.
- The gardens of Hotel Atitlán Grounds of a former coffee estate, tended for more than fifty years, where over forty species of bird have been counted.
Arriving
Land at La Aurora, fly on by helicopter.
The lake has no airport of its own. Every arrival comes through La Aurora in Guatemala City, some 70 kilometres to the east as the crow flies, with the mountain roads or a helicopter to finish the journey.
- Cancún 1 h 25
- Mexico City 1 h 40
- New York 4 h 40
- Marrakech 11 h 15 long-range jet
- Nice 12 h 35 long-range jet
When to go
November to April.
A mountain climate, mild in every month, with afternoon highs between 20 and 23 degrees. November to April is dry, under 40 millimetres a month; June and September bring the heaviest rain.
- 20° J 6
- 21° F 8
- 22° M 12
- 23° A 35
- 23° M 123
- 22° J 259
- 21° J 180
- 21° A 162
- 21° S 232
- 20° O 143
- 20° N 40
- 20° D 12
Where to stay
A house on the eastern shore.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
-
Casa Palopó The first Relais & Châteaux address in Guatemala, with Kinnik cooking over fire at the water's edge and a villa with a heated infinity pool.
Where to dine
Two tables on the eastern shore.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Guatemala, and the lake has few high-end tables. Both belong to Casa Palopó, the Relais & Châteaux house on the shore, and are confirmed on its own dining page.
- Kinnik Signature restaurant, Casa Palopó Open-fire grill Casa Palopó, Santa Catarina Palopó
- Palopó 6.8 Signature restaurant, Casa Palopó Guatemalan, lake produce Casa Palopó, Santa Catarina Palopó
Elsewhere in Guatemala
More reasons to come.
Flying to Lake Atitlán?
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A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.