Diving in Guatemala
Including Lake Atitlán. On the map.
The vibe
Scuba diving is virtually nonexistent for travelers here, with no established recreational dive industry operating along the country's coastlines. The murky Pacific waters and strong currents do not lend themselves to conventional dive trips or coral exploration. Travelers looking for underwater adventures generally head elsewhere in Central America.
Lake Atitlán
Sololá
Arnaldo Aldana arnaldoaldana / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Altitude diving in a volcanic caldera surrounded by towering peaks. Divers explore submerged rock formations, canyon walls, and even a sunken village site in unique freshwater conditions.
Access. Dive shops based around towns like San Pedro la Laguna and Panajachel offer guided boat dives and altitude diving certifications.
Notes. Altitude diving requires specialized profiles; water temperature ranges from cool to moderate depending on depth.