Lake Atitlán
Photos from a journey to an ancient region with surroundings beyond belief and timeless cultural traditions.
BY NICK SCHMIDT
A dock stretches into the ancient Lake Atitlán, with Volcán Toliman seen in the distance. Photo in collaboration with Travel + Leisure.
The ancient Lake Atitlán begins to emerge under the morning sky. The vast lake sits silently, surrounded by volcanoes and villages of a flourishing culture. The mountainous peaks rise and fall alongside the lake's edge. The afternoon wind brings aliment to the land, and the coffee plants flourish abundantly as a part of the region's great tradition. Lanchas glide across the lake’s surface as they travel between villages. Surroundings beyond belief, and endlessly beautiful.
View of La Casa del Mundo by lancha when traveling across Lake Atitlán, from Panajachel to Tzununa.
One of my favorite photos from my time at the lake was also one of my most improvised. As I sat at the edge of a lancha skimming across the surface of Lake Atitlán, I turned to my right and saw a beautiful lakeside hotel - what I would later come to know as La Casa del Mundo. As the lancha continued away from the scene, I quickly realized I only had a moment to capture one frame. I promptly lifted my camera and gazed through the viewfinder a took a single photo, one I adore.
A view of San Pedro la Laguna upon stepping off the lancha after traveling across the lake from Santa Cruz la Laguna. Photo in collaboration with Travel + Leisure.
Travelers make their way through the streets of San Juan la Laguna.
Lanchas docked at the base of Santa Cruz la Laguna, with views of Volcán Toliman (left) and Volcán San Pedro (right). On the surface of the lake, far in the distance, a group of kayakers enjoys the morning with coffee and breakfast on the water.