Fifteen Mayan villages are scattered around the shores of Lake Atitlán, cozily nestled within the lake’s surrounding crags. Each village is distinctive in its charm. With the lakes three captivating giants – Volcan Atitlán, Volcan Tolimán and Volcan San Pedro – the lakeside pueblos create a culturally colorful Mayan mosaic, which rings Lake Atitlán’s mesmerizing waters.

Panajachel, or “Pana,” is the largest of the lakeside villages and represents the tourist “hot spot.” Here visitors will find the largest collection of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, and night clubs. For those eager to stock up on memorabilia, the town’s main street, Calle Santander, is overflowing with handcrafted souvenirs.

The backpacker-favorite, San Pedro La Laguna, represents the second most-popular lakeside destination. Most low-budget travelers make their way to the opposite side of the lake by taking the local lancha – a small motorized boat that represents the best mode of transportation around the lake. Spanish schools are popular here and offer backpackers the chance to glimpse the traditional, Maya way-of-life through week long home stays with a local family. San Pedro also represents “base camp” for making the scenic, yet strenuous hike up the lake’s infamous “Indian’s Nose” crag.

Santa Cruz La Laguna is also popular with the backpackers. The Iguana Perdida Hostel provides those wanting to get a more “in depth” exploration of Lake Atitlán the chance to dive below the surface of the mysterious water-filled crater. Recently, remnants of ancient Mayan villages have been found beneath the blue-turquoise waters and archeologists are currently investigating the submerged village of Sambaj.

While yoga is practiced at Santa Cruz La Laguna, the lake’s true meditation hideaway is San Marcos La Laguna. Most that visit this peaceful pueblo are looking for a relaxing, spiritual escape. However, adventure-seeking backpackers are known to stop by in the afternoons to go cliff jumping with the local, Maya children.

Jaibalito is little known to most visitors. But visitors who venture to the sleepy village will be rewarded with the chance to soak up the sun and admire a stunning view of the Lake’s three volcanoes from Club Ven Aca’s infinity pool. Purchase a cocktail or a gourmet meal and enjoy the pool for free.

Two villages that rest on the East side Lake Atitlán provide visitors a wonderful glimpse into local Guatemalan customs. Watch Maya women craft hand-woven goods with their back strap looms in Santa Catarina Palopó. In San Antonio Palopó visitors spy a more modern, wooden loom in most homes. The pueblo is also known for its beautiful ceramics.

The most remote village on the lake is Santiago de Atitlán. Yet, the pueblo is widely known for its devout worship of Maximón. The legendary Maximón represents a fusion of a traditional Mayan saint and the Catholic equivalent (San Simón) that was forced upon the Maya culture during the Spanish conquest. Those who worship Maximón offer the idol cigarettes, beer, spirits and cigars in exchange good health, good crops, counseling in marital affairs and more.

It might sound cliche, but when you finally glimpse the shimmering turquoise-blue waters between the breaks in the jagged landscape of the Guatemalan Highlands, you catch your breath. The beauty of Lake Atitlán is, as one famous English writer alluded, overwhelming:

“Lake Como, it seems to me, touches on the limit of permissibly picturesque, but Atitlán is Como with additional embellishments of several immense volcanoes,” Aldous Huxley wrote. “It really is too much of a good thing.”

Visiting Lake Atitlán feels as if you are stepping into the romantic landscape of a great epic movie. The lake, caught in a volcanic abyss, is formed from a volcanic cone that collapsed 84,000 years ago. The expansive and mysterious lake is surrounded not only by a ring of majestic, craggy mountains but also three additional looming volcanoes. Atitlán is considered to be the deepest lake in Central America, with estimates of its maximum depth ranging up to 340 meters.

Aside from representing one of Guatemala’s most notable natural gems, the lake is also renowned for the abundance of Mayan villages that thrive near its shores. Visitors delight in the traditional Maya dress of which even men are spotted wearing – colorfully woven vests and pants. Tz’utujil and Kaqchikel are the two most common Mayan languages spoken near lake.

The lakeside village of Panajachel is the most common stop for tourists and the local residents have become almost entirely dependent upon tourism. Rows of stalls filled with hand-painted candle holders, unique jewelry, woven handbags and woolen coats greet visitors scouting for the perfect souvenir…

Part of the adventure of traveling to Monterrico is the breezy boat ride through mangrove swamps. While those in cars can opt to cross a bridge that will take them past rusty, sunken ships, travelers taking the chicken bus will invariably end up on a small, motorized boat for the last part of their trek to the beach. (Those traveling by car can still take the scenic mangroves boat ride by catching a small ferry like that pictured above.) Guatemala is home to three species of mangrove, including black (Avicennia germinans), white (Laguncularia racemosa) and red (Rhizophora mangle). Guatemala’s National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) reports that each species is an endangered one. More than 100 species of birds can be spotted in the Pacific Coast Lowlands or the Chiapas-Guanacaste region, with elegant white egrets being among the most commonly spotted birds on the mangrove trip. Visitors particularly interested in the wildlife of the mangroves can hire local guides in Monterrico to lead them on an early morning mangrove boat tour.

The expansive stretch of beach in Monterrico offers a prime breeding ground for four species of sea turtles. However, poaching of sea turtle eggs is quite common among the local population. There are several turtle conservation organizations that try to combat poaching and promote sea turtle preservation and protection. During the months of October and November, tourists have the opportunity to search for sea turtle eggs and donate them to the conservation organizations. Lucky visitors can even witness sea turtles hatch and scramble from their nest on the beach to their life in the sea.

Que rico Monterrico! Most tourists are quick to pick up on the local beach town slogan. For many, it is the first time they have visited a volcanic, black sand beach. Monterrico represents one of the most popular beaches for a quick, coastal escape in Guatemala. Much of Monterrico’s charm comes from its raw, refreshingly under-developed atmosphere. Instead of flashy, manicured resorts, soak up the sun with an oversized, yet inexpensive “Pura Vida” in hand. The hangout favorite, Johnny’s Place, offers a large selection of original tropical smoothie concoctions. Relax on a shaded hammock or a bed of soft cushions while enjoying the warm sea breeze. Those wanting to stay the night can rent a bed, a small bungalow or even a house from the laid-back beach bar-restaurant-hostel, which does transform into a dance party on weekend nights.

Be careful in the Monterrico surf. The waves forcefully break upon a significantly steep-sloping beach, crashing in a cracking thunder. Strong swimmers will enjoy the excellent body surfing conditions, while those that stick to the sand can opt to join locals and fellow tourists in a friendly match of sand volleyball or sand soccer.

Walking through town offers observers a good window into the typical local lifestyle, nearly unspoiled by the steady trickle of tourism. Sip the sweet water from a coco helado (iced coconut) for just Q10 to stay refreshed in the steamy, tropical heat.

Romance rests on the lips of many when visiting La Antigua Guatemala. With lush courtyards, Bougainvilleas spilling over colorful walls, and crumbling, colonial ruins, visitors often find it difficult to argue that Antigua Guatemala’s storybook setting is a bit of an aphrodisiac. But how about washing clothes? Yes, even the Guatemalteco tradition behind cleaning dirty laundry possesses a bit of romantic flair and that’s why pilas – or traditional-styled washbasins – are found scattered throughout the pueblo.

The most infamous pilas in La Antigua are those of the Tanque de la Unión. During colonial times, it served local custom for each village to have a large public washing center with public water tanks and washbasins. While offering residents a centralized place for water distribution and for washing clothes, these public washbasins also provided a happy gathering place for women where they could socialize and catch up on the latest “village gossip.” Often, community issues were discussed, developed and resolved at the public pilas. Tanque de la Unión was originally created for the indigenous Maya who lived on the slopes of Volcan de Agua but needed to come to the village due to water shortage. Locals were first gathered at the pilas on the 3 of February 1853. Yet, Maya women still gather there even today, echoing the traditions of the colonial past.

Many modern Maya and Ladino households also currently use smaller versions of these pilas. Smaller pilas are simply two large basins, one deep and filled with water, while the other is shallow and wide and used for washing clothes. While originally crafted from stone or concrete, modern household pilas are formed from plastic. In restaurants and more upscale houses however, larger stone pilas – which possess several broad, deep basins – are often transformed into interior decorations, becoming indoor ponds and even fountains. In La Esquina, it is hard to resist the temptation to trail one’s fingers through the scattered flower blossoms floating in the bar-restaurant’s elegant pilas.

Artistic expression is inescapable in La Antigua Guatemala. Colonial edifices beg the passerby to marvel at architectural art. Maya women and children offer handfuls of rainbow-colored, handmade goods to tourists who seem almost overwhelmed by the abundance of woven textiles – which are available on the street, in a special artisan market and in boutique shops throughout the cobbled city.

On sunny days, visitors can spot men and young boys lining the Calle del Arco, quietly painting bold and vibrant Antigueño and Guatemalan landscapes. On these bright, sunny days you can also find a young woman sitting in her wheelchair in front of the shops lining Central Park. The drawings and watercolors she produces with her malformed feet are as impressive and fine as a seasoned artist, yet as simple and innocent as a child’s artwork. A wealth of jewelry stores, jade shops and art galleries – like the Paseo de los Museos in the prestigious hotel Casa Santo Domingo – can all be discovered by leisurely strolling along LAG’s calles and avenidas.

Those wanting to delve further into Antigua Guatemala’s art scene should check out activities hosted by the Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española and El Sitio Proyecto Cultural. Both represent La Antigua’s most active cultural center’s offering workshops, special art exhibitions, weekly film showings, theatres, concerts, and more. Rainbow Café, a restaurant whose walls are covered in murals and local artwork, often hosts live music as well as informational lectures that often relate to art. And when it comes to musical expression, La Esquina, Cielos and Ricky’s Bar are becoming the live music and live D.J. hotspots. La Sala and Sin Ventura are the perfect night clubs for spotting locals and tourists alike whirling around to the fast Latin beats of salsa and meringue. A new website, ArteAntigua.com, is also aiming to develop a more complete source of art, culture and events available in LAG.

La Antigua is lush, luxuriously lush. Tropical plants and flowers spill over colorful, colonial walls and crumbling, colonial remnants creating an irresistibly romantic landscape for lovers. (As shown in the photo below… awww.) The most common of these crawler, ivy-like plants spotted in LAG is the Bougainvillea.

Because the old Spanish town is nestled in a valley surrounded by volcanoes in the mountainous highlands of central-south Guatemala, the Bougainvillea thrives in LAG without much care or tending needed. La Antigua is characterized by a cool, tropical climate with temperatures that range between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Rain is common enough in these mountainous tropics, but so is a warm, calming sun, which regularly illuminates LAG’s storybook streets and avenues. This creates the ideal environment for the Bougainvillea plant, whose optimal growing temperatures are warm days (70 – 85 F) and cool nights (60 – 70 F).

Bougainvilleas are considered one of the most popular and most widely grown tropical vines. The plant blooms with its own flourish of color – including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow. Thus, it makes the perfect accent to Antigua Guatemala’s rainbow-colored walls, rainbow-colored textiles, rainbow-colored culture.

The French botanist Philibert Commerson first discovered the plant – native to Brazil – in the late 1760s and named it after his captain, Louis A. de Bougainville. Depending on the expert, there are between four and 18 species of the thorny, vining plant and they grow anywhere from one to 12 meters tall.

One of the characteristics that captivates visitors most about La Antigua Guatemala is the prevalent Maya culture that thrives amidst the wealthy Spanish class and the abundant tourism. Though outside influences are constantly bombarding LAG, the cultural gems of the indigenous people of Sacatepéquez live on. This is a large part of what makes La Antigua so special – this personal witness of true Maya culture.

There are 23 recognized languages in Guatemala and 22 of them are Amerindian languages, or Mayan languages. While Spanish is the official language (spoken by 60% of the population), it is often the second language among the indigenous population.

The Mayan language spoken in La Antigua Guatemala is Kaqchikel (or Cakchiquel). It is estimated that about half a million people (or about 8.4% of Guatemala’s population) speak dialects of Kaqchikel and the Mesoamerican language is closely related to the K’iche’ (Quiché) and Tz’utujil languages.

The traditional dress onlookers can spot the Maya women wearing in La Antigua is basically comprised of a wipil (blouse), corte (skirt) and tokoyal (hair piece). The wipil from La Antigua is usually white with patterns and colors stitched upon the shoulder and neck, which reflect the local Maya tribe. The corte is a piece of elaborately woven, seamless fabric. Maya women wear the fabric wrapped around their waist and it is held in place by a faja (an embroidered belt.). Mayan women wear cortes while doing all of their daily activities, from cooking and cleaning to carrying children and hiking mountains.

Maps are readily available in shops and within the pages of local magazines such as Revue and Que Pasa?, but a lesser-known and more enjoyable way to orient oneself in La Antigua is to trek up to the captivating lookout point of Cerro de la Cruz. Those just passing through LAG for a couple days often miss this wonderful little gem, which offers a stunning view of the quaint picture-perfect old Guatemala. Cerro de la Cruz is perched on a small hill to the north of the city with a large, looming cross mounted in the middle of the grounds.

The lookout point has obviously become a favored spot for “lovebirds” and certainly meets the criteria for the La Antigua’s “make-out point.” Yet, all sorts can be found at Cerro de la Cruz enjoying the tranquility of the surrounding forest from dog-walkers, backpackers, Capoiera artists and more. It will take about 20 to 30 minutes to climb the hill by foot from Plaza Mayor. Those not keen on huffing and puffing up a series of stairs can opt to take a taxi or a tuk-tuk. Neither should cost you more than Q30.

The remnants of ancient churches are scattered about the small town, evoking sentiments from a world that has already lived. Yet, as the Maya women shuffle by in their rainbow-colored dress, balancing trinkets and food upon their heads, one can easily feel as if the past is still alive and thriving in the simple, charming scenes unfolding each moment. Little Maya girls shadow their mothers, also dressed in the traditional hand-woven blouse and sarong.

Festivals are a thriving part of the Antigueño culture and most are celebrated in Parque Central, the heart of La Antigua. Benches, small walkways and green grass sprouting shade-giving trees are all clustered around LAG’s most-populated fountain. Bustling Parque Central represents the favored spot for people-watching. Young boys skip from one bench to the other offering their expertise in shoe shining to the businessmen. The Maya women and girls offer hand-made souvenirs – bracelets, necklaces, small scarves and more – to any passerby. Musicians from near and afar strum guitars, tap bongos and even play the violin, invariably attracting a small crowd to delight in the impromptu concert. A row of elegant, colonial arches line the park to the south, while coffee shops, cafés, boutique stores and banks flank the park to the west and north. To the east, the Cathedral de Santiago serves as the focal point of the square. At night, the angelically white cathedral appears to transform into a warmly lit wedding cake.

Those that choose to wander down the square’s main street heading north will spy another Antigueño icon: the postcard-perfect Arch of Santa Catalina. Mimes and marimba players often provide the entertainment for the charming stroll along Calle del Arco where, eventually, wanderers will reach the yellow-frosted Church of La Merced.

The wonders and riches of La Antigua Guatemala are bountiful and there is much more to discover beyond this small introduction… come and discover the Antigueño magic!