By BOAT-- or How to Get to the Villages around Lake Atitlan

There are many interesting villages around Lake Atitlan, and anyone who comes to visit the area will want to travel around the lake by boat and tour the villages.

The lake, which can be very choppy, especially in the afternoons, is surrounded by hilly landscape. There are three main volcanoes around the lake that are easier to see from the water.

Tourists can rent a private shuttle but in my opinion the public boats are just as good. They are much cheaper and it's more interesting to do what the locals do, which is catch a boat at the public dock and take it to whatever village you're going to. It's like a public bus system, only with boats.

Each village has its own dock, with boats leaving frequently. The workers are very helpful in answering questions about timing and distance and location. You just hop on and enjoy the ride.