THE CATHOLIC CHURCH  Lake Atitlan       

February 10, 2010 Rev. Benjamin Sandroval & Rev. Martin Leuuma receive HEART in Panajachel.  Included in the February 2009 trip was a visit to the Catholic Church, San Francisco Assis in Panajachel on Lake Atitlan.  HEART Ambassadors delivered two ceramic water filters to the priests rectory for the church's use.  Also, St. Columbkill of Boyertown, PA donated to the church a substantial number of chalices, patens, and priest vestments which were no longer in use. The group had a very feisty and exciting visit learning about the parishes around Lake  Atitlan and what the needs are for the priests in the region.  HEART Ambassadors were very surprised to learn that the three priests stationed in Panajachel actual serve 56 churches and chapels in and around the lake.  There is an extreme shortage of Catholic priests in Guatemala. Fr. Benjamin and Fr. Martin travel to four or five churches every day to say Mass and distribute Communion to the parishioners. Most of these trips are done via boat since traveling by lake is faster than driving by car. Fr. Martin was delighted to receive all the gifts and is hoping for a return visit by HEART in the next year.  

San Francisco Assis, a restored 16th century Catholic church, is the enduring feature of a Franciscan mission established here to Christianize the indigenous population on the north shore. Its stone faced, stepped-up facade is unique.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH  Antigua

coming soon.

Of all Guatemala's natural attraction,

Perhaps the most beautiful is the volcanic caldera of Lago de Atitlán and its unforgettable highland setting that has seduced travelers for centuries. The lakes various bays and inlets give Atitlán an irregular shape, however it measures roughly 19 km long and 12 km at its widest point and over 300 meters deep.

Lake Atitlán is transcended by three towering volcanoes, Volcan San Pedro, Volcan Toliman and Volcan Atitlán. In addition, there are a dozen or so lakeshore villages and towns which dot the Lake

In the highlands of Guatemala, especially around Lake Atitlán, the Mayan culture still thrives ...

The Mayans are known for being friendly and welcoming of strangers. Some are Kaqchikel, some Tz'utujil and they all speak different dialects. So the lake villagers have been accustomed to dealing with strangers who don't speak their language, long before visitors began arriving on holiday.

Panajachel is an 800 year old pueblo of about 14,000, mostly Kaqchikel Mayans and some foreigners. Panajachel is packed with hotels, restaurants, lively nightspots with souvenir shops and stalls lining the main street.

Of all the lakeside villages, Panajachel is the place where most head to first and has become a center for the tourist trade, providing a base for visitors crossing the lake to visit the other Lakeside
Towns & Villages.

Pana's appeal is all about its position overlooking the lake and volcanoes and its laid-back atmosphere. Transport connections are superb, with regular buses and shuttles and a flotilla of boats linking Panajachel with the other lakeside towns & villages.

The town is nicknamed Gringotenango ("place of the gringo") by some, in reference to the number of tourists who visit and the foreigners who choose to live in Panajachel, but most people call it "Pana" for short.

Things to Do Around Panajachel ....

Two Ecological/Cultural attractions near the edge of town:

Los Encuentros This private center is dedicated to the promotion of local Mayan culture. It holds the most extensive medicinal plant garden in the Lake Atitlán Basin and a modest gallery which showcases the variety of styles employed by indigenous artists of the Lake. The staff of the center also facilitates encounters with indigenous shamans, painters, and weavers in their own settings.

Reserva Natural Atitlán  This nearby Nature Reserve makes for a good day trip on foot or bicycle and is located about a mile west of Panajachel. Once a coffee finca, today, this extensive tract of land is dedicated to the preservation of flora and fauna native to the Lake basin eco-system. It has a walking trail that loops through a small river canyon, crossing a suspension bridge that leads to a waterfall and passes a butterfly atrium and enclosures of spider monkeys and Cotamundis. There is a small beach area for some post-educational relaxation with a nice view of the lake and volcanoes.

Lakeside Towns & Villages

SANTIAGO ATITLÁN

Across the lake and 30 minutes from Panajachel by fast "launcha" boats, Santiago Atitlán with a population of 48,000, is the capital of the proud and independent Tz'utujil people and one of the largest indigenous communities in Guatemala. Built on the slopes of Volcan Toliman & Atitlán, is it surrounded on three sides by water and faces
Volcán San Pedro across a small bay.

As you approach Santiago's shore, you will see dozens of women standing knee-deep in water, washing their families' clothes against the rocks, often with babies in colorful slings on their backs. Traditional attire is on full display here and the locals, called Atitecos, believe wearing this beautiful clothing connects them to their ancestors.

Shopping for Mayan Textiles
The road that leads from the dock is lined on both sides with shops selling artensania. Take a good look at the traditional blouses "huipiles" embroidered with elaborate depictions of fruits, birds, and spirits.

If you're interested in buying traditional Mayan clothes or textiles, this is a great place to do it. The condition of textiles here are considered of
high quality.

This same road also leads to Iglesia de Santiago Atitlán, a church where Tz'utujil deities can be seen in the woodwork around the pulpit. Another point of interest is a small weaving museum to the left of the dock.

SAN PEDRO

If you want to feel like you're a little more off the beaten path, but still have plenty of good lodging options as well as some lively nightlife in the form of bars and restaurants, then San Pedro is a good bet. San Pedro La Laguna attracts the greatest number of tourists after Panajachel and Santiago Atitlán, almost all young backpackers. Suitably, the hotels and restaurants here are some of the cheapest in the country, and if you plan to climb Volcán San Pedro, this is the ideal base for an early-morning start.

SAN JUAN

Not many people stop in the Tz'utujil village of San Juan La Laguna, making it a great place to get away from the crowds and get a more authentic look at indigenous life on the lake. There are several artisan collectives in the town's center including a weaving co-op run by the village women. Their work is of the finest quality and its interesting to watch as they weave their fabrics.The village is located a few km north of San Pedro. From here Horseback Riding can be arranged.

SAN MARCOS

Surrounded by fruit trees, San Marcos La laguna is known for its tranquil atmosphere and has attracted travelers seeking a peaceful spot to relax. San Marcos is most famous as the home of the Pyramid Centre which is a magnet for meditating and alternative therapy enthusiasts. So if you practice Yoga, Reiky or meditation, this is an
ideal place to visit. From San Marcos you can walk to
Santa Cruz, another small village, in about 3 hours.

SANTA CRUZ

Santa Cruz La laguna village is known for its tranquility and has the only diving school on the lake. Santa Cruz is much smaller and quieter than San Pedro or San Marcos. From the pier, where the hotels are located at, the village is a steep climb up. mostly made up of tin-roof shacks with several brightly painted Evangelical churches.

SANTA CATARINA

 The traditional Kaqchikel village of Santa Catarina Palopó, 4 km from Pana, is a picturesque village of narrow streets paved with stone blocks, and adobe houses with roofs of thatch or tin. Perhaps the most easily recognizable characteristic of Santa Catarina Palopó is the blue huipiles, or shirt, which is worn prominently by the women of the community.

SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio Palopó, another 5 km from Santa Catarina Palopó, is a larger farming village and the bursts of color from traditional Mayan dress and the lively weekend markets are no less alluring. This is one of only a handful of regions in Latin America where men still dress in traditional costumes on a daily basis. Tunecos, as they call themselves, raise onions and anise in terraced fields extending up from the lake, which give the landscape a sculptural look. Up the hillside, the gleaming white church is the center of attention.

Things to Do Around Lago Atitlán....

Kayaking
Many of the lake side resorts own recreational kayaks. The mobility of the kayaks and warm waters provide endless stopping points for private cliff-side diving and swimming as well as a close up look at some very fancy homes.

Hiking & Biking
Hiking around Lago de Atitlán can take up much of your day. The Lake is surrounded by thirteen villages, each with there own version of Mayan culture and you can hike or bike around the lake and to the neighboring villages along trails that edge the lake. You can walk from Panajachel to Santa Catarina Palopo in about an hour, continuing to San Antonio in another hour; it takes only half as long by bicycle on hilly roads. Or take a bike by boat to Santiago, San Pedro or another village to start a tour of the lake. Several places along Calle Santander rent bicycles.

You can also climb volcanoes. Volcan Atitlán and Volcan San Pedro are definitely
worth the effort.

Horseback Riding
For those wanting more than just a walk around the lake, you can hire a horse and a guide. There are several routes you can select from. The most common one leads up to Volcan San Pedro (you still need to hike the last part). Another route is around the lake along the shore across
the villages of San Juan, San Pablo and San Marcos.

Diving
This is high-altitude-diving in a fresh water lake. Because volcanic activity is present, there is an active fault line running down the center of the lake and there are spots where you can bury your hands in the sand and really feel the intense heat coming up from it. There is not a lot colorful life in the lake, however it is possible to see tiny jellyfish and a number of smaller fish.

Getting Around ....

Panajachel itself is quite small, and you can walk practically anywhere within 15 minutes. Small three-wheel taxis called Tuc-Tuc's, continually circle the few streets, and cost less then a US dollar for any destination in Panajachel. A little more if the ride requires going (uphill), for example to Reserva Natural Atitlán.