The Amazing Lago de Atitlan

It's been a pretty hectic few weeks and both of us were ready for a bit of a relax time so we decided it was time to head to Guatemala's capital of chill - Lago de Atitlan - a huge lake to the west of Antigua and Guatemala City in the highland region of the country. Surrounded by volcanoes and mountains and ringed with numerous little villages, it's a picture perfect setting.

We arrived at Panjachel - the biggest town on the lake in the late afternoon so just had time to find a hotel, browse around the shops and stalls and get a beer before the sun went down over the lake.

This book shop's humour was right up our street!

Apparently this is how you're meant to drink your
Gallo beer, sprinkled with salt and lime..?
Its not a tequila for goodness sakes!

The sun down going down on our first night beside the lake

A quick stop back at the hotel and we ready for dinner...

Traffic police, in a tuk tuk..!

We decided not to pick the plump and obese chicken!

The next morning we were up and off aboard a lancha - one of the boats which criss cross the lake transporting locals and tourist between the villages.

A spot of boating

Our destination was San Pedro - a smaller town than Panajachel but just as busy - full of bars, restaurants and stalls with a distinctly hippy vibe.

The streets of San Pedro

A chicken bus with a view

We decided to head to one of the hippiest looking bars to find out what everyone was up to. we soon discovered that with mojitos priced competitively during happy hour it was pretty obvious! With this view we were soon settled in a for a few hours of socialising and sipping on these yummy cocktails!

Not a bad view!

We might also have had a couple of tequila shots
(they were on the house, rude to say no!)

Eventually our stomachs protested and we decided to go searching for some food. Luckily we stumbled upon the tastiest taco/tosta stall in town...

Our much needed dinner

The chef at work

The next day was spent doing... well not much really. We strolled the streets, admired the views some more and plotted our next stop on our Atitlan Tiki Tour...

We love this lake!

As recommended by Sally - we had to drop by to San Marcos. Sally had said that San Marcos was the most beautiful of the lakeside village and it didn't disappoint. We turned up mid-morning and soon got settled at the nature reserve to the West of town which came complete with diving platform and plenty of swimming and chillaxing spots.

A bit of a drop from the diving platform

Afternoon soon turned to evening and after strolling the villages peaceful paths we came across this little Japanese restaurant.

Japanese with a Guatemalan twist

So the food wasn't exactly as Matt remembered from his year in Japan but it was a delicious fusion of Guatemala products being cooked by a Japanese duo - one of our tastiest dinners so far! 

The next day was spent doing some more strolling around this lovely little place, and of course a return to the lakeside reserve from some more swimming.

We'd heard San Marcos has a 'special energy' - we agree!

How can you not feel energetic swimming beneath a volcano?

Matt braved the 8m diving platform!

What a special few days - the lake was stunning, the people so so friendly, and the two of us? Super chilled and ready for the next part of the adventure!

:)