Panajachel, Guatemala
Panajachel, a lakeside town in the southwestern central highlands, is named
after the indigenous word for a tropical fruit, the white sapote. The town sits
on the shores of Lake Atitlan, which, with Sierra Madre volcanoes on the other
side, dominates the landscape. Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America.
This former Spanish colonial town, with its busy marketplace, is reputed to be
the best place in Guatemala to buy souvenirs. It also makes a good place to
explore surrounding native villages around Lake Atitlan, which are accessible by
private boat. The scenic region around Lake Atitlan is a natural playground
where visitors can enjoy a number of outdoor activities. The lake itself offers
boat cruises, swimming and kayaking, while the surrounding volcanoes, farms and
hills present opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, touring
coffee plantations, and exploring archaeological Mayan sites such as those at
Sambaj and Chiutinamit.