Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lago de Amatitlán
Lago de Amatitlán is a placid lake backed by a looming volcano and situated a mere
25km south of Guatemala City, making it a good day trip. After suffering years of serious
neglect, the lake is slowly being rejuvenated, thanks mainly to local community groups
who hope to see it once again function as a tourist attraction. On weekends, people from
Guatemala City come to row boats on the lake (its waters are too polluted for swimming)
or to rent a hot tub for a dip. Many people from the capital own second homes here.
A
teleférico
(cable car; adult/child return Q15/5; 9am-5pm Fri-Sun)
heads out over the lakeshore
then pretty much straight up the hillside. It's a half-hour ride with some stunning views of
the surrounding countryside from the top.
Boat tours are about the only other thing to do here - rides cost Q70/10 in private/
shared tours. If you're feeling energetic, rowboats rent from Q30 per hour.
A string of
comedores
along the lakefront offer fried fish, tacos and simple meals. For
something a bit more refined, follow the signs up the hill to the right to
La Rocarena
(mains
Q50-120; 8am-9pm)
, which has lovely grounds, good views and a couple of warm-water
swimming pools.
The lake is situated just off the main Escuintla-Guatemala City highway (Hwy 9).
Coming from Guatemala City (one hour, Q5), just ask to be dropped at the
teleférico
. The
waterfront is about half a kilometer from the signposted turnoff. Coming from Escuintla,
or heading back to Guatemala City, buses stop on the main road, about 1km away. It's an
easy 10- to 15-minute walk, and taxis are rare.
