Lago de Atitln in Guatemala

Lago de Atitln Guatemala

A crater lake (and an endorheic lake, meaning it does not flow into the sea), Lago de Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth 340 meters (1,115 feet). The lake is surrounded by the Maya people, whose towns offer a view into the local culture.

Three volcanoes loom over the southern bank of the lake, called San Pedro, Tolimn, and Atitln. The Atitln Lake formed after a volcanic eruption 84,000 years ago, its name meaning “at the water” in the local Nahuatl language. The volcanoes have left rich soils that are great for the cultivation of typical Central American crops, including coffee and squash, and support a variety of wildlife.

 Visitors to the lake can participate in many types of water activities, including swimming, diving, and kayaking. Other activities include tours of the volcanoes and hikes around the lake, and experiencing the local culture and markets in the towns.