The blue lake
In the crater.
Penguin11232323 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ever Giron — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Daniel chavez castro — CC BY 3.0 · Daniel chavez castro — CC BY 3.0 · Daniel chavez castro — CC BY 3.0
Ipala is a clear blue lake in the crater of a dormant volcano in eastern Guatemala. Calm water is ringed by forested crater walls, with big boulders and green grass on the shores. The lake lies at the bottom of the Ipala volcano's crater, about 1 km across, on the border of Jutiapa and Chiquimula departments. It covers 0.52 km² at 1,493 m, and the volcano's summit reaches about 1,650 m. You hike up a trail on the volcano's flank with a guide from the town of Ipala, then descend steeply to the water, walk around the lake and sit on the shore among the rocks. You can also come up from the town of Agua Blanca, the other way in to the crater, and climb to the crater rim for the view over the valley. The lake is about 7 km in a straight line south of the town of Ipala. The walk in takes an hour to an hour and a half, and the descent to the water is steep, so wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
In the crater.
Forested.
On the shore.
Crater of the Ipala volcano, between Jutiapa and Chiquimula, eastern Guatemala
One to one and a half hours.
A guide from Ipala is recommended.