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The lake's own volcano: a steep morning climb from the village through coffee, maize and cloud forest to a summit 1,500 metres above the water, with the whole blue caldera and its villages spread out below.
At 3,020 metres, San Pedro is the smallest of Atitlán's three volcanoes, but it rises almost directly from the water, which makes it the most dramatic climb on the lake.
The climb starts at the park office above San Pedro La Laguna and runs through Tz'utujil coffee plots and cornfields, then into cloud forest hung with moss and bromeliads. It is steep from start to finish, on dirt steps and roots. At the top, a rocky lookout faces north across the lake to Panajachel, San Marcos and the Indian Nose, with Atitlán and Tolimán volcanoes close by to the east.
The Q100 park fee includes a park guide, which is worth taking. A tuk-tuk from town to the office costs about Q10. Carry two litres of water and a fleece. Start at five or six before the cloud builds and the heat arrives.
Three to four hours up, two to three down.
Take a tuk-tuk up from San Pedro's dock to the visitor centre, pay the fee and set off with a park guide.
Climb steadily between coffee bushes and cornfields, with San Pedro's rooftops and the lake falling away behind.
A rest stop with benches and a first wide view over the lake; some turn back here.
The trail steepens into dense, damp forest of oaks and ferns, often in cloud.
Climb onto the rocks at the top for the full view across the caldera, then return the same way.
The park fee includes a local guide from the community; tip at the end if you were well looked after.
The office opens early; start by 6am to summit before cloud. Allow most of the day.
Lanchas reach San Pedro from Panajachel in about 30 minutes; stay the night before for an early start.
Lake Atitlán practical notes →Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their licences; Pexels photographs under the Pexels licence.
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