Seven Wonders of the Third World

Lake Atitlan possesses more than natural grandeur and scenic beauty—it is also home to the Seven Wonders of the Third World. Each of these roadside attractions is worthy of a visit and makes a great place to take photos.

Biggest Calculator

San Pedro’s el Barrio Bar has the Biggest Calculator in the Third World, which is also listed in the Guinness Book of Third World Records. It is too valuable to be on display, so ask the bartender for a peek.

Big Belly Buddha

Another Third World Wonder—the Belly of the Smiling Buddha Pizza Oven—awaits just down Seventh Avenue at The Buddha. This giant earthen Buddha on the rooftop contains a pizza oven built into Buddha’s belly.

Around the corner on the same street, a third Wonder of the Third World is found at Jarachik. The biggest dream catcher on earth also serves as a hula hoop when Hailey is at the bar. (This also qualifies it as the only authenticated Maya hula hoop on the planet.)

San Pedro’s final Wonder is the crookedest little street in Latin America, a mini-version of San Francisco’s famous Lombardy Street. Descending this hill from el centro in a tuk tuk is like a carnival ride.

Rum Memorial

Forget the Great Wall of China. Take a water taxi to San Marcos and see the Great Wall of Flor de Caña. Recycled bottles form a wall besides stairs to the restaurant at Bungalows Aaculaax. Volunteers can help provide more empty bottles to build another wall by knocking back a shot or two of this smokey Nicaraguan rum.

Hats Off to Panajachel

Panajachel is world famous for its major roadside attraction, the biggest hat in the Third World. It’s a block down from the Comercial Dorado on Calle Principal. This place charges Q2 to take a photo wearing the hat.

Is Lake Atitlan the Next Antigua?

We hear a group from the Un-United Nations is on the way to the lake to choose one of these wonders as a World Heritage Site. When their decision is made public, we’ll be the first to report it. (For anyone who has been counting, the Seventh Wonder of the Third World is still being verified by experts. It will announced and featured in a future issue.)