Lago de Atitlan is one of Central America’s most iconic landscapes. A sprawling lake surrounded by towering volcanoes and tiny towns named after saints, Atitlan offers a sampling of everything that makes the country so memorable.

Explore the lake by boat, stopping at two towns to get a feel for the local culture. Share a smoke with Maximon, a multi-faceted rum-and-cigarette-loving deity who receives offerings at his shrine in Santiago. 

Enjoy lunch before immersing yourself in the splendid colors and styles of San Juan la Laguna, a town known for its plentiful murals and local art galleries.

With a private boat you can cruise beneath the volcanos and find serenity on the water. There are plenty of places where you can jump off and swim in solitude.