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The Glossary
Panajachel Travel Guide
Secluded up in the Guatemalan highlands, Panajachel has breathtaking views of three surrounding Volcanos and Lake Atitlan, quite possible the most beautiful lake in the world. The natural beauty in Panajachel is awe inspiring and this majestic place is home to an ancient Mayan culture that is still prevalent today. Panajachel is largely untouched by tourism, with only a few hotels predominantly owned and operated by the friendly, local Mayan people. The unique culture and sheer beauty of this place make it one of the most exotic destinations the world over and an ideal place to get away.
Lake Atitlan is by far the largest draw in Panajachel. Translated the name means "the place where the rainbow gets its colors" and once visitors lay their eyes upon this lake the name makes perfect sense. There is much history surrounding Lake Atitlan. The shores of lake Atitlan were the scene of many battles during the Spanish conquest. During this time the Spanish established a church and monastery using the town of Panajachel to convert the Indians to the Catholic faith. Remains of the church still stand today.
Many visitors also enjoy the magnificent climate at Panajachel. The area is located about 15 degrees above the equator and because of that it enjoys and ideal climate. Although the rainy season spans from May to October the sun shines for some time every day and the weather is never unbearably hot or cold. This makes travel to Panajachel ideal any time year round.
The Nature Reserve of San Bunenaventura encompasses the vast majority of the area around the shores of Lake Atitlan in Panajachel. The reserve has hundreds of acres of native forest and was established in an effort to protect the natural surroundings of the lake. Visitors enjoy self-guided tours on the numerous nature trails on the North Shore and a trip to the Butterfly Preserve housing over 25 different species of butterfly.
Many visitors to Panjachel come through after visiting Antigua to enjoy a few days among the serene beauty of the Lake. There are many other towns close by Panajachel and visitors also often combine their visit with a larger city like San Pedro de la Laguna or Santiago de Atitlan. All destinations nearby can easily be reached by ferry making the combined trip a natural choice for many travelers.
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