Allgemein EN – Page 5 – Kat´s Truth about Travelling

Mercado Artesanal – Panajachel

Colourful and quite small and well organised for a Latin American market. To be honest, I had been waiting a long time to visit a market with handmade goods in Guatemala. Not because there aren't lots of beautiful handmade items in Mexico, but because many of the things I had seen and particularly liked on my trip came from Guatemala. Especially concerning the patterns. I just love Aztec patterns. So, on one of my days in Panajachel, I went to the Mercado Artesanal (Artesanal = handmade) and had a look around. The market really has a lot to offer. Bags, T-shirts, hoodies, trousers, shoes, jewellery, blankets, tablecloths, scarves and so on and so forth. I was a bit cautious tbh, because... well frankly I was scared of falling in love with everything and spending waaaay too much money. And I neither had the money nor the space in my backpack for that. :D Besides, I a) was very aware that the prices here would probably be a bit higher, b) it was pretty much my first real Guatemalan market with handmade items (and you shouldn't usually buy the first thing you see), and c) because I knew about Chichicastenango – that's THE market for handmade items in Guatemala. It's huge and has absolutely EVERYTHING! But more on that later 😉😊 Otherwise, the Mercado Artesanal in Panajachel is very cute, quite quiet and just nice to stroll around. And for those who wanna know: I actually found my beloved hoodie with Aztec/Guatemalan pattern at the market 😊 Go or not? Definitely go. It's good for yourself, for souvenirs and simply to get an idea of all the handmade stuff there is in Guatemala. And you might be a little less overwhelmed when in Chichi (Chichicastenango) :D

Waterfall Sololá-Panajachel

Waterfall Sololá-Panajachel is located completely random in a curve on the road circulating Lago Atitlán. I discovered it on my way to a viewpoint on Lago Atitlán and promptly stopped to take a photo and admire the waterfall for a moment. Because even though it's located randomly in a curve, it's pretty cool and, above all, really high :D Go or not? It's a bit ‘dangerous’ to get there, as you either have to walk an hour there and back or stop the bus on the opposite side of the road from the waterfall on the way back, where you're basically standing right next to the road. I did it anyway and it was fine, but you should pay a little attention to the traffic and wave to the bus early on to let the driver know you want the bus to stop. So it's up to you. But the waterfall definitely is cool.

Beach of the Nature Reserve – Lago Atitlán

Incredibly quiet and peaceful and with a fantastic view. I think I will always speak in the highest notes about Lago Atitlán. Simply because this lake, no matter where you are and from where you look at it, has this simple and calm beauty. This of course also is true for the beach of the Nature Reserve of Lago Atitlán. I , to be honest, discovered this beach completely by chance, because I'm a bit of an adventurer and always explore everything. And so I found this incredibly quiet, secluded and beautiful place, where a local was looking out over the water, a tourist was writing in his diary and, at the end of the beach, a vine was dangling quietly from a tree trunk into the water. Go or not? Yes, but only if you don't disturb the tranquillity of this place. Because that's what makes it so special. 😊

Butterflygarden of the Nature Reserve – Lago Atitlán

There is a Butterfly Garden in the Nature reserve of Lago Atitlán. And honestly? It's kind of magical in its own unique way. Normally, I wouldn't have made a separate post about it, but I just took too many beautiful photos of butterflies. :D So, below and on Insta, you'll find a selection of the best ones. 😊 And concerning the butterflies, you can find some really beautiful and, above all, very different ones here. Even those with those incredible blue wings that – no joke – flutter so quickly and so rarely – like they do open and close but suuuper quick - that I couldn't manage to get a single photo where you can see the colour properly. Go or not? It's in that sense ‘just’ a butterfly garden. But if you interact with the garde and really try to take beautiful photos of the butterflies, you'll quickly be drawn into the magic of this place :D 😊

Nature Reserve – Lago Atitlán

Very close to Panajachel there is a nature reserve on Lago Atitlán. Here you can enjoy the ‘raw’ and pure nature of Lago Atitlán apart from the lake itself and explore the area via suspension bridges – which are quite squeaky and slightly rusty to be honest. There also is a butterfly garden and a really beautiful beach within the nature reserve. And concerning the beach, I don't think many people know about it. So it’s really quiet a nice to just chillax and take the view in :D Plus I think there's a hotel, but I've only seen a sign for it, so... :D By ‘close’ to Panajachel, I mean a 5 to 20 minute walk. You do have to walk along the edge of the road where cars and buses drive by, but you should be okay 😊 Concerning the suspension bridges…. They are not made for the faint-hearted or people with a fear of heights. Like they really make some noises that... The video directly below the photos will give you an idea of what I mean :) Personally, I didn’t think it to be dramatic, but I could understand if it scares some a little 😊 Go or not? Since the nature reserve is completely free, very close to Panajachel and a different kind of excursion on Lago Atitán, I would do it 😊

Panajachel – Lago Atitlán

Panajachel is a charming little village right next to Lago (Lake) Atitlán that is bursting with charm. It basically consists of beautiful views of Lago Atitlán itself, lots and lots of stalls lining the streets of the centre and the ‘tourist’ zone, numerous really beautiful graffiti on the walls and a very relaxed backpacker vibe. That's also exactly why I put the word tourist in quotation marks. It is the tourist zone, but... Panajachel actually is more of a backpacker destination on Lage Atitlán. Technically speaking, backpackers are tourists, but in terms of vibe and atmosphere, there is a huge difference. Backpackers also interact differently with locals and the environment than regular tourists do. But that's too far off topic. :D Back to Panajachel. It is a really very cute, quiet, peaceful and relaxed place where you can easily get stuck and forget the time. And the truly beautiful views just knock you out :D 😊 Go or not? Yes definitely. I think everyone should decide for themselves which village to visit – there are several around the lake (Panajachel, San Marcos, San Juan...) -, but Panajachel is the main backpacker destination. Meaning lots of hostels, a very nice vibe and, of course, a couple of places to meet people and go out :D 😊

Lago Atitlán

Lago Atitlán is by far the most beautiful lake I have ever seen in my life so far. And I say that for pretty much every single angle that I have looked at this lake. Lago Atitlán is... simply an absolute and genuine beauty. It is a lake that was created by a huge explosion of a supervolcano and is now surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, in-between which you find small, super cute and diverse villages. Depending on from where you take off, there are many different ways to get to Lago Atitlán. It will though pretty sure be by chickenbus – one of the coolest, most local and funniest experiences you can have in Guatemala :D And once you're at the lake, you pretty much only get around by speedboat – these things are pretty fast and it can get really bumpy at times. I loved it :D Apart from that, the views obviously are really great 😊 Most villages also have hostels and hotels. I though believe Panajachel and San Marcos are the main destinations for backpackers and found Santiago to be the most local of the villages I’ve been to during my stay. In addition to exploring the villages, I would highly recommend watching the sunrise on the ‘Nariz del Indio’ and hiking the ‘Volcán San Pedro’. There are many other great things to do at Lago Atitlán, but I will never forget these two incredible experiences and views. And last but not least, Lago Atitlán is one of those places you just get stuck / don't want to leave. I don't know anyone who left Lago Atitlán at the time planned. Simply because the atmosphere is so relaxed and peaceful, there is really a lot you can do and it is just so incredibly beautiful everywhere :D 😊 Go or not? Well, it’s your own fault if you voluntarily skip Lago Atitlán. Because this lake is one of those places that pictures don’t do justice to and one of the reasons why no other country in Central America can compete with the landscape of Guatemala 😊

Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey is... simply unique and beautiful. It's one of those places where photos don't even begin to do the place itself justice. And one of the reasons why I say Guatemala is by far the most beautiful country in Central America in terms of nature. And yes, I've been to Costa Rica – the country that many say has the most beautiful nature in Central America. Believe me, it's Guatemala😊 You can get to Semuc Champey either by tourist shuttle OR, much cheaper, by microbus. However, as it's really in the middle of nowhere, you have to change buses a few times, get up early and, admittedly, arrive late. So in this case, it's a real hassle. But that's simply how public transport sometimes is :D As it’s quite some stops you'll find the exact ‘route’ in the basic information part 😊 As I took the public transportation route and therefore arrived pretty late to Semuc Champey, I couldn't see any of the paradise I had landed in until the next day. Semuc Champey is an absolute natural paradise in the middle of the jungle that I don't think people from certain parts of the world would believe that it actually exists. Widely untouched, raw and beautiful nature on all sides with a few hotels and hostels in between to accommodate backpackers and other tourists. And apart from the main attraction you can just go and explore nature freely. The path to the viewpoint and “Semuc Champey” itself is relatively moderate, leading through the jungle. It first goes up to the viewpoint and then down to the pools. As a heads-up: you will sweat a lot because Semuc Champey is quite humid. Meaning the hike seems harder while hiking than it actually is. Just so you know :D The view of the natural pools is... honestly just beautiful. Period. And down below you can then sit in the pools or pozas, where slowly but for sure these little fishes, that eat dead skin and calluses, will start nibbeling on all parts of your body :D For people who haven't experienced this before, it feels really strange at first and can really tickle :D But hey, it's a free peeling and you get something for free that elsewhere costs a fortune. As a quick note on the background of Semuc Champey: it is so special and unique because the river has carved its way down through the riverbed and later flows above ground again. And instead of a waterfall forming, the pozas formed above the part that flows underground. And yes that's a very brief and simplified explanation, but hey :D Go or not? There are few natural phenomena in Central America that are so beautiful and unique. So definitely yes :D 😊

Ruins of Tikal

Just like Mexico, Guatemala also has a number of ruins to offer. These include the famous ruins of Tikal. It is located near Flores and can be visited relatively easily as a day trip. Similar to Palenque, the ruins of Tikal are more or less one with the jungle. It also makes the atmosphere a little quieter and more relaxed. Nevertheless, you can tell that Tikal is the region's flagship pyramid and therefore quite popular with tourists. Personally, I found Tikal really beautiful, even if it didn't really grab me – well, I was also at the Mirador shortly before and had already seen all the ruins in Mexico. So... 😉 :D I still liked it and enjoyed looking out from the top of the pyramids over the treetops or the ruins themselves 😊 Go or not? Yes, I think Tikal is definitely worth a visit. It's not too expensive, quite easy to reach and relatively normal in terms of visitor numbers.

Streets of Flores

Very cute, small and incredibly charming. At least the ‘Isla de Flores’, the small round peninsula on Lake Petén-Itzá. Personally it felt as if Flores was more of an island, but the peninsula actually is connected to the mainland by a street going both ways. Flores itself is a charming little place with lots of hostels, hotels, restaurants and bars, so you mostly see tourists on the streets. The funny thing is that the atmosphere in spite of that is still very relaxed and chilled and it doesn't feel overwhelmingly touristy. Means I was able to stroll through the narrow, winding and uphill streets, especially in the heart of Flores, and simply enjoy myself. The views of the lake and the surrounding countryside of course as well are fantastic,and the sunset is also really nice. Flores is really just very peaceful and, considering that it's kind of touristy, very relaxed 😊 Go or not? Yes, definitely. Flores is very cute and there are lots of cool things to do from here, like hiking to the Mirador, visiting the ruins of Tikal and getting to Semuc Champey also is quite easy from Flores.