Chicabal, Sacred volcano with crater lake in San Martín Sacatepéquez, Guatemala
Chicabal is a volcano in San Martín Sacatepéquez with a crater lake that sits at 2,720 meters elevation, measuring roughly 575 meters across. Dense forest covers the entire caldera, creating a sheltered setting around the water.
Ancient Maya communities built ritual sites around the crater lake, with several altars remaining as active ceremonial locations. These sites have served as centers for spiritual activity for centuries without major changes.
Local Maya communities view the crater lake as a sacred place where different altars serve specific purposes for healing, fertility, and spiritual cleansing. Visitors can observe people coming here to perform personal rituals and leave offerings.
Hikes to the crater typically start early from Quetzaltenango and take roughly 2 hours through dense forest to reach the lake. Bring sturdy walking shoes, water, and rain gear, as weather can change quickly at this elevation.
Visitors are not allowed to swim, fish, or wash in the lake, as local beliefs say that people who fish here vanish beneath the surface. These prohibitions remain strictly enforced by the community today.
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