Lake Atitlán fills a volcanic caldera formed by an enormous eruption roughly 84,000 years ago. It covers about 130 square kilometers and sits around 1,500 meters (about 5,000 feet) above sea level. Three volcanoes frame it: San Pedro (3,020 m), Tolimán (3,158 m) and Atitlán (3,537 m). Rivers feed the lake, but it has no outlet to the sea.
Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel Maya communities have lived on these shores for centuries, and Maya languages are still spoken in the villages. (For the longer story, read the history of the lake.)
Seasons
The dry season runs roughly November to April, and the rainy season roughly May to October. In the rainy months, mornings are often clear and afternoons cloudy or wet. January to March is peak season, with daytime highs around 21 to 23°C and nights near 13 to 15°C. May to July highs sit around 23 to 24°C, with nights near 15 to 16°C. The dry season gives sharp volcano views; the rainy season gives green hillsides and mist on the water.
The wind
The lake has a famous wind called the Xocomil, from a Kaqchikel phrase often translated as "the wind that carried away sin." As the land warms, air is pulled across the cooler lake, usually from late morning or after midday, and the water can turn rough enough to capsize boats. Sources disagree about which months are worst, so we plan around it all year.
Last checked October 2026. Fees, fares and hours change, so confirm anything that matters.