About Us
About Us
The Problem We're Solving
Most Lake Atitlán travel content comes from bloggers who visited for a week. The landscape, activities, and businesses around the lake are constantly evolving, and most guides are years out of date by the time you read them.
Satisfied Customer
Professional Guide
Great Destination
Years of experience
Our Commitments
Transparency: Some links on this site earn us commissions (hotels, tours). We only recommend places we’d send our own families. When we have a business relationship, we disclose it clearly.
Accuracy: We update content quarterly with current pricing, safety information, and seasonal changes. Publish dates are always visible.
No Greenwashing: We don’t sugarcoat Lake Atitlán’s challenges. Water quality issues, safety concerns, and overtourism are real. We provide honest information so you can make informed decisions.
Our Guide
About Our Team
Duncan Aitken
I grew up in Utah and Colorado and earned a BA in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Colorado in Boulder. My first trip to Guatemala was in 1974, and I returned in 1983, eventually making it my home. Over the next decade, I exported Mayan handicrafts before founding a travel agency. In 1998, I launched atitlan.com to promote travel to Lake Atitlán, and I’ve been dedicated to it ever since. When I first started, I connected to the internet using a 56.6 Kbps dial-up connection. My two children were born and raised here, helping me develop a deep connection to the region.
Shad Qudsi
Shad Qudsi is a regenerative farmer, educator, and social entrepreneur who has spent the past 15 years living and working in Guatemala. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University and leaving the corporate world, Shad settled near Lake Atitlán, where he founded Atitlán Organics and later Wellkind Guatemala, a nonprofit focused on reforestation, food security, and community empowerment. Through years of collaboration with local leaders, he saw how powerful grassroots efforts often lacked visibility and support, even as tourism grew.
Kyle Weinstein
Born and raised in the Western Highlands of Guatemala to an American-Canadian family, Kyle Weinstein brings a unique cross-cultural perspective and a lifelong connection to the landscapes and communities of Central America. For over a decade, he has led expeditions through eight countries across Mesoamerica, working with renowned travel companies such as National Geographic, G Adventures, and Intrepid Travel. Kyle is the founder of Ati Adventures, a community-based tourism initiative that creates immersive, sustainable travel experiences while supporting local livelihoods.
Michelle Fajkus
Originally from Austin, Texas, Michelle Fajkus has called Guatemala home since 2009. With a diverse background in advertising, education, and retreat center management, Michelle brings a unique blend of creativity, clarity, and care to her work as Communications Director for somos.travel and Retreat Manager at Bambu Guest House. A writer, editor, translator, and interpreter, Michelle is passionate about crafting meaningful stories that connect people across cultures.
Maricela Alvarez Perez
In addition to managing the reception desk and accounting at Bambu Guest House, Maricela supports Wellkind’s programs that focus on education, ecology, and economy and supports the management of the women’s artisan collective. Maricela is passionate about supporting the community through environmental conservation and educational projects. Maricela is also a skilled graphic designer who creates designs and branding for Lakeview Journeys, Wellkind, and Bambu Guest House.
Jose Mora
Jose was born and raised in Guatemala City and relocated to Tzununa in 2021. He began exploring permaculture and community initiatives before joining Bambu as a receptionist in 2022. Since then, he has also contributed to WellKind activities, assisting with retreats as a translator and host. Additionally, Jose is our go-to guide for waterfall tours in Tzununa and for hiking adventures.
Our Mission
Safe
Especially for families and student groups
Authentic
Real cultural exchange, not staged tourism
Impactful
Benefiting local communities and the environment
Affordable
Transparent pricing and realistic budgets
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Ready to Start Planning?
Whether you’re a teacher planning your first service learning trip, a family looking for authentic cultural experiences, or a group seeking adventure off the typical tourist path, we’re here to help.