Guatemala Highland Panajachel and Lake Atitlan

The Guatemala Highland Panajachel and Lake Atitlan tour began just after breakfast. Boarding the bus marked the beginning of our drive to the area recognized locally as the Ring of Fire. This area is so named for a circle of 33 Volcanoes that culminate at the center of three of Earth’s tectonic plates.

CA-9 to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala

The roads in Guatemala are very much in decay, with many craters, or bumpiness to them. Because of this, and the manufactured speed bumps throughout, the bus must continually slow down and speed up. This poses an opportunity for road bandits; therefore, our tour had a police escort. I have noticed this type of escort is customary for tours in and around the Nicaragua and Guatemala region.

The primary agricultural products in the area are sugar cane, bananas, pineapple, coffee beans, and rubber from the rubber tree. We saw field after field of these commodities during our journey.

Coffee Bean Fields

The bus made a stop at some coffee bean fields alongside the road. Everyone left the bus and ventured into the fields to study the ripeness of the coffee bean. Being here in early December, it was just about time for the coffee bean harvest.

While we were taking this rest stop, a local family was transporting freshly cut bananas and were preparing for sale. Although this was not part of our tour, we all enjoyed watching the process and how easily the locals carried the large bundles of fruit.

San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala

Exiting the bus, we took a small walk through the end of the town and to the San Lucas Toliman Dock/Pier. Here we stepped aboard the small passenger vessel Popeye for the enchanting ride across Lake Atitlan. There were about 70 passengers onboard, with plenty of room to move around and take photos from every imaginable angle.

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Lake Atitlan, formed by at least 7 different volcanoes, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. You are sailing across an enormous lake formed from the Volcanic Caldera of an eruption 84,000 years earlier.

Panajachel, Guatemala

Once in Panajachel, droves of locals selling everything from elaborately colored cloths, wallets, and headbands, ascended onto our group. Instead of browsing at the moment, we headed to a prepared buffet at the Hotel Porta. This is a very nice and stylish resort with several swimming pools and multiple dining facilities.

Hotel Porta del Lago

Our buffet lunch consisted of chicken and steak tortillas, potatoes, salad and mixed desserts. For an extra two dollars, we received bottled Coca-Cola. Eating was at our own pace rather than a timed event.

Panajachel Town

We wandered up and down Calle del Lago for a bit to photograph the locals.

Then we spent a few minutes haggling with the local merchants, which I found to be great fun! Our purchases amounted to a vibrant table covering, a collection of Worry Dolls, and 3-Lbs of Antigua Royal Coffee.

The locals told us that around 70% of Guatemalan Coffee production is shipped to large famous coffee shops in the US.

Return to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala

Our return journey across Lake Atitlan was again aboard the vessel Popeye allowing us to take in the tranquility of Lake Atitlan once more, including its surroundings of volcanoes and charming landscape.

Return to Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port, Guatemala

Soon we piled onto the buses, tired, hot and exhausted for the return journey to Puerto Quetzal, arriving just before dinner.

Cruise Port: Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Tour Name: Guatemala Highland Panajachel and Lake Atitlan

Cruise Line/Ship: Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas

Tour Operator: Maya World Cruise Services