Laguna and Volcano Chikabal in San Martin Sacatepequez, Quetzaltenango

Laguna Chikabal is a sacred lake that formed in the crater of a volcano. It is a natural and cultural monument here in Guatemala. It is extremely well taken care of and respected. The story goes that there was a lake partway up on the side of the volcano, but people didn't take care of it and it became polluted. One day the lake was gone. It had been moved up to the crater of the volcano. Now it is considered a sacred spot. I wish that this could happen again in Guatemala. So many of the lakes are disgustingly polluted. I'm not sure how serious this is, but upon starting up the hike there is a sign that says: "before walking up to the laguna please ask permission from the creator of the Earth." No one is allowed to swim in the lake and the legend goes that if you do you will get sucked into a spiraling vortex to hell. (I elaborated the spiral vortex to hell part, but it is something similar).  

It is beautiful. From the town below (San Martin, about an hour outside of the center of Xela) visitors can call a pickup truck to take them to laguna seca (dry lake) a flat resting area where the lake used to be. From there it is about an hour's steep hike up to the lookout point (mirador on the map). To get from there down to the lake you can either hike down or take the 580 stairs down. 

Clouds covering the lake

Clear view from the lookout point

There are 580 stairs leading down to the lake

Cool tree that is in and out of the water - we were extra careful not to fall in
so that we didn't get sucked into the spiral vortex to hell

 

The laguna is a special place for Mayan ceremonies. Sometimes walking around the perimeter of the water you will see leftover flowers and candles or even a ceremony in progress.

Mayan ceremony in progress

My good friend and fellow PCV wrote a nice article about the lake. Click here to read the article.