I have received information regarding some very large acreage available for farming in the region but not on any small lots or land suitable for our purposes. I have had email correspondence with land-sellers in areas near Lago Atitlan but not in proximity to the village we are looking at. I am scheduled to be in Guatemala in late February 2015 and will make the contacts with landowners, non-profit and religious groups in the area. A few of the property sellers I have corresponded with have told me that once I am on the ground, in the village, I will be taken seriously and should be able to have a selection of suitable properties.
I am coordinating my travel with Victor at this time. The most comfortable route is to take the highway from the airport to Mazatenango. 100 miles, about 3 hours+ on the road, with all the comforts of home. It is 5 miles on (mostly) pavement to Samayac, then up dirt roads, bumping along another 8-10 miles.
An alternative (if you really want an adventure) is to travel via local custom. Samayac is 20+ miles from San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlan. From Guatemala City Airport you drive 90 miles—about 2 hours—to the city of Panajachel. (This can also be a 6-hour bus adventure!) From there you take a 40-minute boat ride across the lake to San Pablo La Laguna. Then you catch a two-hour ride standing up in the back of a truck—if the road is passable—from San Pablo, or you hike for about 9 hours, then you're there. This is the scenic route. The views, sights and smells from the back of the truck are a scream!
I am coordinating my travel with Victor at this time. The most comfortable route is to take the highway from the airport to Mazatenango. 100 miles, about 3 hours+ on the road, with all the comforts of home. It is 5 miles on (mostly) pavement to Samayac, then up dirt roads, bumping along another 8-10 miles.
An alternative (if you really want an adventure) is to travel via local custom. Samayac is 20+ miles from San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlan. From Guatemala City Airport you drive 90 miles—about 2 hours—to the city of Panajachel. (This can also be a 6-hour bus adventure!) From there you take a 40-minute boat ride across the lake to San Pablo La Laguna. Then you catch a two-hour ride standing up in the back of a truck—if the road is passable—from San Pablo, or you hike for about 9 hours, then you're there. This is the scenic route. The views, sights and smells from the back of the truck are a scream!