Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lage, about 600m uphill from the dock. The cobblestoned road up is a route villagers cus-
tomarily take lugging sacks of avocados or firewood. The inaccessibility of the spot - it
can only be reached by boat or on foot - may impede its development but also enhances
its rugged beauty.
Activities
ATI Divers
( 5706-4117;
www.atidivers.com
)
Lago de Atit- lán is one of the rare places in the world where
you can dive at altitude without using a dry suit. This group leads dive trips from Santa
Cruz. They offer a four-day PADI open-water diving certification course (Q1725), as well
as a PADI high-altitude course and fun dives. It's based at La Iguana Perdida hotel.
The lake fills a collapsed volcanic cone with bizarre geological formations and aquatic
life like cichlids, which spawn near an active fault line where hot water vents into the
lake. Diving at altitude brings its own challenges - you need better control over your
buoyancy, and visibility is reduced. During the rainy season the water clouds up, so the
best time to dive is between October and May.
DIVING
Los Elementos Adventure Center
( 5359-8328;
www.kayakguatemala.com
)
Kayak rentals and multiday excursions around the lake
are offered by this outfit. Its two-day paddle-and-hike tour includes a visit to Santa Catar-
ina Palopó, followed by kayaking along the lake's northern shore and hiking along the old
Maya trail through Tzununá and Jaibalito. The cost of Q1250 per person (minimum four
participants) includes meals and a night's lodging.
Its base is a 10-minute walk west of La Iguana Perdida along the lakeside trail.
KAYAKING
Sleeping & Eating
La Iguana Perdida $$
( 5706-4117;
www.laiguanaperdida.com
; dm Q45, r from Q235, s/d without bathroom Q95/125; )
The first
place you see as you step off the dock, La Iguana Perdida makes a great hang-out to enjoy
the lake views and meet other travelers, go scuba diving or kayaking, learn Spanish or
sweat it out in the sauna. Don't miss the Saturday night cross-dressing, fire and music bar-
becues!
LODGE
