Lakes formed the life-giving center of many of Guatemala's indigenous cultures. Mayan villages sprang up along the shores of Lake Atitlán and Lake Petén Itzá, and many have remained to this day. Lake Petén Itzá and Lake Izabal are two of the largest lakes in Guatemala. Lake Atitlán is one of the deepest lakes in Central America, and is famed far and wide for its intense beauty. Visit these lakes to hike around their legendary waters, and take a closer look at the traditional villages nearby. Take a moment to gaze across their placid surfaces at the mountains, jungles, and volcanoes that shape the scenery of Guatemala.