Laguna Chicabal

Laguna Chicabal fills the crater of a volcano at around two thousand seven hundred metres above the town of San Martin Sacatepequez, and it is one of the most important ceremonial sites of the Mam. Altars stand around the shore and ceremonies are held at them throughout the year, with a major gathering in early May connected to the start of the rains. Swimming and boating are not permitted and the rules are enforced by the community that manages it. The walk in climbs through cloud forest to the rim and then descends several hundred steps to the water, which is usually under mist that moves across the surface and lifts and closes again.

What you actually see

• A sacred crater lake - Mam altars and ceremonies around the shore.
• Mist moving on the water - the cloud that sits in the crater.
• The stepped descent from the rim - hundreds of steps down to the lake.
• Cloud forest on the climb - the woodland on the way up.

When to go

November to April in the dry season; the early May ceremonies are the most important dates and visitors should stay away or be very discreet then. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Swimming is forbidden and the rule matters; this is a religious site, not a beauty spot. The descent to the water is hundreds of steps and the climb back is hard. Mist often removes the view entirely. Photography of ceremonies is not acceptable.

Nearby

Quetzaltenango is north-east; San Martin Sacatepequez lies below.