The Highlands, Guatemala
Located in the Guatemalan Highlands, Lake Atitlan combines scenic beauty and a relaxed atmosphere. Recognised to be the deepest lake in Central America, it is shaped by deep escarpments and surrounding volcanoes. The area around Lake Atitlan is made up of towns and villages inhabited by the indigenous Maya people.
Background
Volcanic in origin, the lake filled an enormous caldera formed in an eruption 84,000 years ago. Further activity built three volcanoes in the caldera; Volcan Atitlan lies on the northern rim, while Volcan San Pedro and Volcan Toliman lie within the caldera.
The lake itself is rich in animal life and its basin supports extensive coffee growth and a variety of crops including corn, onions, beans, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, chile verde, strawberries, avocados and pitahaya fruit; providing a significant food source for the indigenous population.
In order to increase tourism and boost the local economy, the area around Lake Atitlan became a national park in 1955 and travellers can now enjoy various activities such as hiking up San Pedro volcano, kayaking or scuba diving on the lake, visiting San Buenaventure nature reserve or the surrounding villages such as Panajachel and Solola.