Written by locals, for travelers who want to experience Lake Atitlán authentically
Your Complete Guide to the Lake Beyond What Short-Term Visitors Ever Experience
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 The landscape, activities, and businesses around the lake are constantly evolving, and most guides are years out of date by the time you read them.
What Makes Us Different
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
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. He also serves as Program Director at Wellkind Guatemala, an NGO focused on sustainable development, environmental restoration, and regenerative practices around Lake Atitlán. With a strong background in ecotourism, Kyle integrates environmental awareness, cultural respect, and local engagement into every trip. His love for photography, hiking, climbing, and storytelling brings depth and energy to each adventure — inspiring travelers to connect deeply with the land and its people.
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. She is also a dedicated yogi and lifelong spiritual practitioner who has been leading intimate yoga retreats on the shores of Lake Atitlán since 2010. Through her words and presence, Michelle helps create spaces for reflection, connection, and transformation, both online and on the mat.
Maricela Alvarez Perez
Jose Mora
Our Mission
Why Our Advice Is Different
- We live here full-time, not passing through for a blog post
- We’ve hosted thousands of travelers and know what works
- We run local businesses and recommend places we actually use
- We lead conservation projects – environmental impact isn’t theoretical
- We’re embedded in the community through Rotary, NGO partnerships, and longtime relationships
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.
Planning a trip to Lake Atitlán?
Whether you need help organizing a student service trip, booking a family vacation, or planning a group retreat, we’re here to help.