Love of the Lake

As the sun sets on my final night in the beautiful B’alam Ya Villa on the shore of Lake Atitlán (in Guatemala's Department of Solola), I begin to reminisce about the previous week. I am now officially a certified diver, I became friends with some lovely locals, shopped at many of the area’s shops in Pana, and ate the most amazing meals, home cooked by my favorite Guatemalan Grandma, Lucia.

The villa is a complete gem, nestled into the caldera edge. With direct access to the water, the villa, surrounded by lush flowering plants and hanging orchids, is something out of a dream. Three different private lanais enclose the 2-story villa secured only by full length windows facing the lake for an astonishing 360° view. The perfect daytime weather turns a touch chilly in the evenings, making the fireplace a magical location to ward off the 50°-55° nights. The only thing better than the view and the amenities, is the staff that dotes on each of their guests.

Thankfully, Caty, Columbus Luxury Travel’s Logistics Manager, insisted that my husband and I stay here the last time we came to the lake. Now, we’re back again, and have another trip planned to come back. We never get tired of Panajachel, the unique atmosphere of the surrounding villages, and the countless activities to do here. Besides diving, a visit to the Natural Reserve, a trip to the San Juan la Laguna or Santiago Atitlán, paragliding, zip-lining, or kayaking on the lake are always great additions to simply just relaxing with a magnificent view.

#Panajachel #LakeAtitlán #BalamYa #diving #GuatemalaTrip #GuatemalaTour #Guatemala #GuatemalaTravel #DepartmentofSololá