Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Thursday, April 2, 2015

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.



16 comments:

  1. Water taxis! Yeah, I think it would be more fun to take a boat.

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  2. The lake looks choppy. What a fun way to get around.

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  3. Hi Karen,
    I love your pictures. I'd need to take the boat ride in the morning if it gets choppy in the afternoon. I get seasick too easily.
    Claire with Pam's Unconventional Alliance
    http://aFieldTripLife.com

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  4. "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
    ― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
    and don't I believe this!

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  5. Nice pictures! Never been anywhere near Guatemala, look forward to seeing more posts!

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  6. We lived in Central America for two years and never managed to make it to Lake Atiltan. How did we manage to miss this? Great photos!

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  7. Wow, Karen,

    How picturesque!! Such lovely photos.. Sadly I get sea sick and may have to miss out on this one. Unless the waters are tranquil.

    Thanks for sharing such beauty with us...

    And thanks for stopping by my blog.... Yes, I am thrilled to be relocating south and away from the frozen north. This place will be a wonderful challenge for me and Meeting new people and having new life experiences will certainly enrich my life ten fold!

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  8. You are doing a lovely job for the ministry of tourism there, Karen. Before you know it we'll be coming down in droves....

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  9. Hop on/Hop Off water taxis, love it! I popped over to Guatemala once to visit Tikal from Belize and I've always wanted to go back. This area looks just gorgeous!

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  10. Hi Karen - sounds a blissful time - easy to get around and lots to see .. I'd like to do that .. and fascinating to travel with the locals - cheers Hilary

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  11. Good pictures! Hope you are enjoying this years challenge!

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  12. These photos are so beautiful especially love the last one. The water taxis sound like the way to go and take in the villages and the looks

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. Amazing! I have cornfields and ditch creeks around here...sigh.

    Bushman
    2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
    @jwb81074

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  15. Stunning pictures! We have a little boat but we're missing a mountain view for sure.

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  16. I like your blog and love your pictures. I signed up to follow your blog.

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Comments are welcome!