WORLD TRAVEL REPORT "PARADISE HOT SPOT" : LAKE ATITLAN, GUATEMALAsteemCreated with Sketch.

in travel •  7 years ago  (edited)

Welcome to my first  "World Travel Report - Paradise Hot Spot". In this report we will take a look at what makes Lake Atitlan, Guatemala a Paradise Hot Spot and why it scores well on my Backpacker Paradise Scale which you can learn more about here.

Backpacker Paradise Score = 4
Affordability= 4
Food= 3.5
Culture = 4
Safety = 4
Activities = 3
Hotel Value= 4
Transportation = 4

Lake Atitlan is a far cry from the dangerous and in-hospital living conditions of Guatemala City. Located five hours west of the capital by bus you can find a world of it's own. The population consists of a peaceful indigenous Mayan community, who still carry their culture and language with pride. Safety is generally not a concern here.

Lake Atitilan is very unique as the focal point is the lake with three volcanoes along the western edge. The lake hosts many lovely towns along it's border, each with it's own vibe and tourist infrastructure. The more touristy locations around the lake are San Pedro and San Marcos.

The main things to do here is kayaking, hiking, and exploring the surrounding towns that circle the lake. With affordable safe living, Lake Atitlan has attracted a retirement population from North America. One can certainly get a small apartment here in the 200 dollar range. If cooking your own meals, you could probably live comfortably here for 300-400 dollars a month.

Panajachel, is the primary town on the lake. This is where you can see the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's where the big market is, and where you can get some incredibly good food at great prices. My favorite find so far is shelled macadamia nuts for 4.75 USD per pound.

Panajachel has the highest population of both locals and foreigners, which means you can enjoy the best of both worlds. You can get a great deal on hotel and food, while still being in a community of fellow travelers with the modern services that one would expect. Panajachel is on the east coast of the lake and has the best sunsets.

Lake Atitlan is very affordable. You can easily negotiate a decent hotel room for 6-12 dollars per night if you commit to a week. I recommend El Amigo which shows up on google maps. It's very clean with a friendly staff, good wifi, hot water, and very comfortable bed. You will even have your own balcony.

Getting around is easy. Transportation consists of tuk-tuks, local buses, and ferries across the lake. The ferry will cost you about 3 dollars one way, while the local bus will cost you about 30 cents.

There are plenty of tour buses that will offer to bring you to and from other popular destinations in Guatemala, and if you're feeling adventurous you can always ride the chicken bus with the locals for pennies on the dollar.

There are plenty of restaurants catering to tourist all over the lake side communities, prices generally range from 3.50 and up.  The traditional style of cooking is like a less intense Mexican, but much less bland than what you find in other parts of Central and South America.

Having your own kitchen can make a world of difference. Taking advantage of the inexpensive produce at the local market and cooking your own meals will not only save you money; it will put you in control of your diet without risk of sanitary issues.

With great weather, beautiful surroundings, a nice community, along with an exciting market and affordable accommodations; I highly recommend a visit to this Paradise Hot Spot of Lake Atitlan,  Guatemala.

Don't forget to up-vote, follow, resteem.

This Coming Sunday! World Travel Report - Panama

Last Sunday, World Travel Report - Ecuador

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Making me feel adventurous! I'm guessing flights from the US make this a pretty economical trip (but steep from the UK ... but looking at accom prices nearer to home this looks really doable anyhow!).
I'll keep reading. When my kids are not in the middle of school exams etc I might just pick up my mobile practice and go work from here for a while!

I really like your posts @world-travel-pro. You're giving everyone a shot at it, with your reports on retirement options too. 😄
Nice, gentle approach all round. Very readable. Nice attitude to locals and other travellers. Colourful. Enticing. Nice job. Like the structure of your posts. Not too wordy. (I'm that kind of klick-away reader bloggers dread and you have me interested fast enough to keep me reading).
Instinct tells me you're going to do very well here. Subject is also a popular one.

Thank you! I'm feeling very blessed as my talents of an English Teacher/ Writer and world traveler I can finally combine in a fun manner that makes money. Really happy to hear your lovely compliments on my writing style. Means a lot to me. Thank you!

I'm going to stick to my travel reports. probably not much else in regards to blogging. Being new here I'm kinda figuring things out as I go along. Quality over quantity I believe is best!

Yep. It's the way to go. 😄

The market looks amazing, so colorful

Yes indeed. It's funny cause I don't consider myself a tourist. This is my lifestyle. The tourist come here and spend spend spend. Endless activities, then run back home to their day jobs. So for me exploring the markets and finding the best deals is really what I enjoy most, and it this atmosphere you really get a good taste of their culture. Being fluent in Spanish I sometimes get into interesting conversations, as the market is also a social hub for the locals.

spanish is what I need to work on more, mine is very rudimentary

Yes indeed. For me it's been a HUGE asset while traveling this part of the world. When I'm in Asia, their culture is more of a service/ catering/ business culture, and generally they'll have enough English where the language is not an issue. That is one thing I really like about Asian cultures, Very hard working and education orientated.

you probably don't have to spend too much time convincing me to live in Phuket or Penang or Singapore.

I know what you mean, I've visited all three. Very exciting places.

Hi Rangertx. I just posted another great travel report I'm really proud of. Super well done. I think you'll enjoy it. It on a little backpacker hot spot in Nicaragua. Would love for you to check it out. Thank you in advance! World Travel Pro!

https://steemit.com/travel/@world-travel-pro/backpacker-hot-spot-report-2-san-juan-del-sur-nicaragua

I just want to be able to say "I took the tuk tuk home"

Nice!

I went one year for New Years Eve and it was awesome. Beautiful with great places to stay. At the time there were some safety concerns for people hiking around the lake though.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

I love how colorful the food on the market looks.
And atm I could totally go for 1 or 6 for those tacos.

Yes the scale is from 0 to five, you can click on the link to brief article about the scale. I think you'd enjoy!

yes discovered it 20 sec after posting but you were to fast to responde

Ha ha. I'm a fast responder! lol

Hey there Flipstar. I've got another great report out. This time on a little backpacker hotspot in Nicaragua. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Thanks in advance. World Travel Pro!

https://steemit.com/travel/@world-travel-pro/backpacker-hot-spot-report-2-san-juan-del-sur-nicaragua

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Very cool! I'm following you , as you have awesome travel posts!

Awesome! Thank you!

I'm so glad you enjoyed my last post. Here a new one that I'm really proud of and would love for you check out. Thanks in advance -World Travel Pro!

https://steemit.com/travel/@world-travel-pro/backpacker-hot-spot-report-2-san-juan-del-sur-nicaragua

Great post and pictures. Would love one of those tacos about now.

That tuk tuk reminds me of some pictures I've seen of buses in Haiti. Great report! Did you find it safe? I heard Guatemala is basically a hidden gem!

Thanks buddy. I certainly feel like here on Lake Atitlan it is a hidden Gem. The country as a whole, it's not the safest especially the capitol. But once you get to where the travelers are like here and Antigua it's very comfortable without worry. A small favor if you could resteem would probably does us both well. Thank you. I'll be in touch!

Just resteemed it. It's the first post I do this for!

Thanks brother! You and I have a lot in common. If I see something my followers would like I'll be resteeming you're stuff as well. Like I did with you plane ticket article. Thank you. Never know we may cross paths on this globe and meet in person one day. Would be very nice! Thanks again!

Thank you for the kind words!! So, I posted an article about a place called Ksamil in Albania https://steemit.com/travel/@borderedge/places-you-should-visit-part-1-ksamil-albania

I can guarantee you your viewers will like it because I just discovered one of my followers posting an article about Ksamil using Google Pictures, which I do not find to be a mere coincidence!

Just resteemed your article. Very nice. From an English teachers perspective, with years of experience.....I'd recommend tightening up your articles. Cut out some the wordy-ness and excessive details, go right to your points. Just my opinion, and hate to be critical, your info and post overall is solid. Thanks for sharing.

I tend to write a lot in whatever language (International Baccalaureate taught me this) so I see what you're meaning!!

The fact that you can speak more than one language says a lot! I'm just trying to help, that's all. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for such a great article on one of my favourite places on this planet, Lake Atitlan. Your photo of the Pana market portrays perfectly what a colourful and lively place it is, happy you found such a good deal on macadamia nuts there :)

Thanks for the compliments. I'm eating nuts right now! So you have been here before?

Yes, I've lived in near different villages there for up to three months, the last time on the lake near La Iguana Perdida hostel below Santa Cruz. You're so right about safety. Though I travel alone and am of "a different generation" (smiley here) I've always felt really safe there, even trudging country roads.

That is so cool! I had no idea you're an experienced traveler. So many of us from North America don't even own a passport! Very nice!

Once again, wonderful post my friend! I think I would enjoy visiting this place for sure, the food looks very appealing to me and the lake... well, let's say I'd spend whole afternoons sitting in front of it! Thank you for sharing and looking forward to your Panama report!!! :)

Thanks Daniel, I'll drop you a note when it' published, to make sure you don't miss it.

Great! Thank you!

wow great photos and post !! You should post this in : photography tag!! Upped !👍👍👍

Thanks for the advice. Being new here...I still have a lot to learn.

no problem ! Loved your photos ! 👍👍👍

Interesting post:)

Thank you!

If your interested I have another very well done and informative report out on a backpacker hot spot in Nicaragua. I'm very proud of it and think you'll enjoy.

Thank you in advance, World Travel Pro!

https://steemit.com/travel/@world-travel-pro/backpacker-hot-spot-report-2-san-juan-del-sur-nicaragua

Great travel-post:)

Thank you, hope I earned another follower! Have a great day! -World Travel Pro

I have another great travel post up, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

https://steemit.com/travel/@world-travel-pro/backpacker-hot-spot-report-2-san-juan-del-sur-nicaragua

Thank you in advance! your local World Travel Pro!

Thanks for sharing. That brings back nice memories from that place . I still have the sound of clapping, chapati making hands in my ear. And my swimming in the lake with view at the volcanoes I will always remember.

You're very welcome. I just left there and I'm on my Way to Playa Del Carmen Mexico. Stay tuned for more reports coming soon! Thank you for your comments! -World Travel Pro

Hey, it's wonderful also your vacation on Lake Atitlan

Also during our stay in Guatemala lasting 2 months we visited this lovely lake by turning it over and over.

We loved the lake and all of Guatemala.

If you like it, read our article on our blog

See you soon
Elisa & Luca

Yes it's a nice place isn't it. Loved the Macademia nuts for 4 dollars a pound!