Best of The World 2023 – Guatemala

Perched 5,000ft above sea level in Guatemala's central highlands, Lake Atitlán is one of the country's most magnificent natural wonders. It's a region of dazzling views, where blue waters are flanked by steep hills and three towering volcanoes, their slopes thickly forested with pine trees. Dotted around the shoreline are a dozen towns, home to communities of indigenous maya. Here, locals practise ancient crafts and traditions that have been handed down through families for generations

- Words and Photographs by Bella Falk

The best way to get around the lake is by lancha, small motorboats that ferry locals and visitors from one dock to the next. Each of Lake Atitlán's colourful towns has its own character and style, but what unites them all are their richly creative communities, their skilled artisans producing a range of beautiful handicrafts.

These crafts are often highly localised, with different villages specialising in one particular skill.

San Antonio Palopó, at the eastern end of the lake, is famed for its ceramics; Diego Calabay works here as painter, decorating up to 20 objects a day.

Across Guatemala's highland region, the most celebrated craft is the centuries-old art of backstrap loom weaving.

Practised mainly by Maya women, it involves using a loom tied around the waist to create vividly patterned fabrics, which are then stitched together to make the colourful blouses and skirts worn by many Maya women.