Lake Atitlán, Guatemala by Carolina Casanova
Culture, Legends, Personal Stories, and a Travel Guide
Lake Atitlán in Guatemala is often called the most beautiful lake in the world. But this book takes you beyond the view.
Discover the history of the lake and its volcanoes, Maya legends whispered across generations, and the traditions of the Indigenous people who call its shores home. Wander through villages like San Pedro, San Marcos, San Juan, and Santiago. Each with its own unique rhythm. Find hidden gems, restaurants, and places to visit, woven together with raw, funny, and deeply personal stories.
This is not a glossy guidebook. It’s a journey told with honesty, humor, and heart. Having found my home in San Pedro, I share personal stories from life at the lake. From being bitten by street dogs and held by villagers, to everyday café life, to the timeless myths that still echo across the water. These pages capture both the magic and the messiness of Lake Atitlán.
Whether you’re planning a trip, dreaming from afar, or searching for stories that bring a place to life. This book is your companion.
Lake Atitlán doesn’t just change how you see the world. It changes you.
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Pick your country. Available as kindle edition, paperback, and hardcover. Pick your country.
In Spanish
Pick your country. Available as kindle edition, paperback, and hardcover.
Bilingual in English and Spanish
Pick your country. Available as kindle edition, paperback, and hardcover.
How the book Lake Atitlán, Guatemala by Carolina Casanova came into this world
I first travelled to Guatemala in 2018. Like most visitors, I spent two and a half weeks exploring the country’s highlights. But it was Lake Atitlán that completely stole my heart.
A few months later, I returned, this time only to the lake. Then I came back again. And again. Each year I stayed a little longer. The more time I spent there, the more it became my home. Strangely, as the lake began to feel more like home, Amsterdam began to feel less like one.
In 2025, a friend suggested I write about Lake Atitlán. I sat down to begin, and I simply couldn’t stop. It became a long love letter to the place that has shaped me to who I have become. I was completely consumed by the creative process, writing late into the night until, before I knew it, I had a book.
Because so many of the people who inspired these stories live around the lake, I translated the book into Spanish so they could read it too. Soon after, I decided to create a bilingual edition, with every English page on the left side followed by its Spanish translation on the right. Making it perfect for anyone who wants to improve their English or Spanish while discovering one of the most magical places on Earth.
Some video’s to show what Carolina Casanova has been up too
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the bilingual edition of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala by Carolina Casanova work?
Every story appears twice. The English version is on the left-hand page, and the exact Spanish translation is on the right. You can read the book in either language or compare both versions side by side. It’s a fun and natural way to improve your English or Spanish while enjoying the same story.
What is Lake Atitlán, Guatemala by Carolina Casanova about?
Lake Atitlán , Guatemala is part travel guide, part memoir, and part love letter to one of the most magical places in the world. It combines personal stories, local legends, history, hidden gems, cafés, restaurants, massage recommendations, hikes, and beautiful places to visit. It’s written for travellers who want to experience the lake beyond the typical tourist route.
When was Lake Atitlán, Guatemala by Carolina Casanova published?
Most of the book was written during 2025, when I dedicated myself almost entirely to writing. It was published on 27 August 2025, and receiving the very first printed copy remains one of the proudest moments of my life.
Do I need to be traveling to enjoy Lake Atitlán, Guatemala by Carolina Casanova ?
Not at all. Many people read it from home simply because they love travel, culture, and personal stories. If it inspires you to visit Lake Atitlán one day, that’s a wonderful bonus. If you’ve already been there, I hope it brings you right back.