The
province of Solola is unique in the world: its main attraction is a
wonder of nature: Lake Atitlan, referred to as “the most beautiful
lake in the world” by many. Its area is 1,061 square km and has
approximately 320,500 inhabitants. The weather is cool, and majestic
volcanoes dominate the landscape.
Lake Atitlan is only a two and a half hour trip away from the city
on an incredibly beautiful panoramic road. Its origin is very
interesting due to the fact that over 100,000 years ago, 3 enormous
volcanoes formed. All three were fed by the same batholit (subterraneus
magma deposit). Then 85,000 years ago, there was a catastrophic
eruption that swept the landscape, throwing lava and ashes that
covered an inmense area of Central America. The power of the
explosion destroyed the volcanoes, and the ground over the emptied
batholit, collapsed. This is how the 18 km diameter Atitlan caldera
was formed. Around it, three smaller volcanoes emerged, Atitlán, San
Pedro and Toliman (all inactive today). What appears as a beautiful
lake, is really underneath, two dead craters, a remanent of the
batholit. In time, they filled with water coming in from two
external rivers and a large number of underground rivers.
Aside from this amazing landscape, the cultural heritage of the
region is unparalleled. Here, you will be able to observe clearly
the syncretism that originated from the medieval Catholicism and the
pre-Hispanic Mayan rituals.
Ten kilometers beyond Solola, separated by a steep descent, is a
place so called Panajachel. Over the years, what was once a small
Maya village has become some kind of resort, with a considerable
population of long-term foreign residents whose numbers are
increased in the winter by North Americans seasonal migrants and
tourist. Today, Panajachel, known as “Pana”, is more integrated into
the tourism mainstream and is as popular with Guatemalans as with
foreigners. Nowadays there is much to talk about the place being one
of the few vortex energy centers of the world, along with the
Egyptian pyramids and Machu Picho.
Not so long ago, Panajachel was a quiet little village inhabited by
the kaqchikel Maya, whose ancestors settled here after the Spanish
overthrew a force of Tz´utjil warriors on the site. Today the new
building boom has enveloped the old village but it still retains a
traditional feel, and most of the Maya continue to farm near the
delta river behind town.
The Sunday market is always bustling with people from all around the
lake, and it remains oblivious to the tourist invasion. For
travelers, Panajachel is one of those inevitable destinations and,
although no one ever admits to actually liking it, everyone seems to
stay for a while, particularly because it´s a good base for
exploring the lake and the central highlands.
The old village is still attractive and although most new
constructions are fairly nondescript, the lake side setting is
superb. The main daytime activity is shopping. Typical Guatemalan
weaving, along with other handicrafts and native mayan art are sold.
There is an amazing array of places to eat, drink and surf the net,
plus swimming and sunbathing at the public beach, where you can also
rent Kayaks by the hour or scuba dive with ATI certified divers.
Altenatively, if the bohemian atmosphere and easy going lifestyle
seduce you, Panajachel now boasts numerous language schools where
you can study Spanish.
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