Lake Atitlán Travel Guide

 

Why should you trust me and take my advice? 

I moved to Guatemala to be with my husband, and I’ve been lucky to call this country my new home.  It’s been a life-changing experience!  

We spend all our free time traveling all over this incredible country and we’ve traveled multiple times to the most popular tourist destinations in Guatemala.  My advice and travel tips are based on extensive experience.  

If you have a long list of questions or if you need help creating a customized Guatemala itinerary then please click here to book a travel consultation with me.

For an introduction to traveling to Guatemala, click here for my Ultimate Guatemala Travel Guide. 

An Overview of Lake Atitlán

Lake Atitlán is one of the most beautiful places in the world.  It’s a high-altitude lake surrounded by volcanoes, mountains, and Maya villages.  This part of Guatemala is geographically breathtaking, culturally alive, and naturally calming.  It’s a must-visit for anyone planning a trip to Guatemala!  

One thing to note is that Lake Atitlán is also probably the most complicated destination to plan to visit in Guatemala.  The lake is one big destination with many towns to visit. It’s such a large destination  that it’s difficult for many tourists to understand where to stay, how to get around, and which towns to visit.  So this guide is lengthy, but with lots of great information!  

Most influencers or travel bloggers who visit Guatemala for a short time will recommend that you stay and visit San Pedro La Laguna and San Marcos La Laguna.  In my opinion, these two towns are the most touristy and less authentic.  Although there are a few activities to book in these towns and I’ve mentioned them below.  So in this blog post you will find some different recommendations that aren’t on the typical tourist trail.  

How to get to Lake Atitlán

Most tourists who visit Lake Atitlan arrive first in Panjachel.  In order to get here, you should expect it to take 4-5 hours to drive from Guatemala City. It’s approximately a 3 hour drive from Antigua to Panajachel, an 8.5 – 10 hour drive from Semuc Champey and Lanquín,  and approximately a 4 hour drive from El Paredon to Panajchel. In Guatemala, these times are always approximate because sometimes there is very bad traffic and especially in and around the capital.  

Sometimes tourists will arrive in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan and this is because it’s the town that’s the most popular amongst backpackers.  Also, many of the tourist shuttles will arrive at this destination. It takes a bit longer to arrive in San Pedro La Laguna from most destinations (except El Paredon) since it’s on the other side of the lake.  

Something to note is that if you arrive at Lake Atitlán after sunset, you will need to stay in the town you arrive.  For example, you will need to stay at a hotel in Panajachel or San Pedro La Laguna as the water taxi system stops running after sunset.  The only other option is to hire a private lancha (boat) to take you to the town where you are staying and that can cost up to $200.

Private Transportation:

For the most secure and convenient option, I suggest booking a private driver with GuateDriver.  They are my go-to private transfer company in Guatemala and you can contact them at +502-3775-7831 or info@guatedriver.com. 

Uber:

You cannot use Uber to get to Lake Atitlán from Guatemala City or Antigua. Also, the app doesn’t work in this part of Guatemala.  

Shared tourist shuttles:

Another transportation option is to book a shared shuttle from Guatemala City, Antigua or another destination to arrive in Lake Atitlán.  The shuttles can arrive in either Panajachel or San Pedro la Laguna. 

I recommend using the Bookaway platform to search for a specific route.  For example, you can book a shuttle from the Guatemala City airport to Panajachel, or from Antigua to San Pedro la Laguna.  There are many other routes such as from El Paredón to San Pedro la Laguna or Quetzaltenango (Xela) to Panajachel and vice versa.  The shuttles are available multiple times a day leaving and arriving at Lake Atitlán and you can view all the times on the Bookaway platform.  

Click here to search for shuttles to and from Lake Atitlán

These shuttles transport a number of tourists together and everyone pays a reduced price compared to private transportation.  The price is especially affordable for solo travelers but if you are a group of 3 or more than the price is not as economical and I recommend booking private transportation.  

The shuttles are safe.  However, some of them drive quickly and tourists (including myself) sometimes complain about motion sickness.  Especially when they are driving through mountains and on curved roads.  If you suffer from motion sickness and plan to use the tourist shuttles then I recommend buying less-drowsy dramamine (click here for my favorite product) or a motion sickness patch (click here). 

 

How to get around Lake Atitlán

You won’t find Uber here but there are tuk-tuks in each town.  The tuk-tuks are supposed to charge 5 Quetzales per person for a ride within the town but for foreigners, they usually charge 10 per person.  However, they will sometimes ask for more and it’s up to you to be firm and state that you are only willing to pay 10.  To take a tuk-tuk from one town to the next, the price will double or increase by even more.  

There is a water taxi system at Lake Atitlán that works very well.  The boats (lanchas) leave Panajachel (the town where most tourists arrive) every 15-20 minutes and stop at most of the towns along the lake.  The boats run from approximately 6:30 am to 6 pm and stop in Santa Cruz, Jaibalito, Tzununa, San Marcos, San Juan, and San Pedro.  To get to the town of Santiago, there is a another boat and schedule that leaves approximately every 30 minutes from Panajachel.  

The lanchas cost 25 Quetzales per ride. When you arrive at the main dock in any town, you can tell them where you’re going and confirm the price.  The people working at the dock will point to the boat you’ll need to take.  You can bring your luggage with you on the lancha, but they will likely put any large bags on top of the boat. 

Towns at Lake Atitlán

Panajachel

This is the main town at the lake.  Most tourists arrive here and it is a very touristy town (but not necessarily in a bad way).  This is where most Guatemalans go for their Lake Atiitlán vacation, and it’s very convenient to stay here if you want to visit many places at the lake.  This town is where you can find banks, doctors, and a supermarket.  I recommend staying at Panajachel if you’re short on time since it’s the gateway to other towns.  

Santa Cruz La Laguna

This is a quiet town by the lake and many tourists stay here.  There’s not too much going on in this town but people like to stay here because it’s peaceful and the views are nice.  Also, it’s a popular place for kayaking and paddle boarding. If you’re using the water taxi system from Panajachel, this town is the first stop.  

Jaibalito

This is a very quiet town.  Most tourists come here because they stay at the famous Casa del Mundo Hotel which is right next to it.  The water taxi system comes here and they can drop you off directly at Casa del Mundo.  You’ll need to clarify and confirm this when you enter the boat.  

San Marcos La Laguna

This is one of the most popular towns to visit at the lake and my least favorite because the tourism here revolves around hippie culture and yoga.  This is not my vibe, however, if that’s what you’re looking for then you should absolutely visit this town.  I think it’s OK for people to have different preferences when they travel and I always want to be honest with my readers. 

In my opinion, this is one of the most touristy places to visit in Guatemala and it’s difficult to seek out authentic Maya cultural experiences.   People come here for the hippie vibes but also, to jump off the side of the cliff and into the water at the Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve.  I recommend visiting this nature reserve and although I have never jumped into the water, it is fun to watch other tourists do this!  

Tzununa

This is another small town at the lake.  Many people come here for yoga retreats and incredible volcano views.  Although you can also find hippie vibes here, it’s not as touristy and more peaceful.  The water taxi system will stop here in between Panajachel and San Pedro La Laguna.  

San Pablo La Laguna

This is a small and authentic town at Lake Atitlán.  There are hardly any tourists that come here and there’s not much going on.  I’ve stopped here during my hikes from town to town and I’ve stayed at a cabin nearby.  The reason why a tourist would come to this town is because they will hire a local tuk-tuk driver to go up the mountain above the town to Santa Clara La Laguna (where some of the best viewpoints are).  

San Juan La Laguna

This is probably my favorite town at Lake Atitlán.  It is very touristy but in a good way because the tourism is community-based.  You can have an authentic cultural experience in this town focused on coffee tours, chocolate workshops, and weaving classes.  San Juan La Laguna has beautiful and colorful painted walls and streets. 

It’s easy to get here by using the water taxi system.  It’s the first stop leaving from San Pedro La Laguna or the second to the last stop from Panajachel.

Santa Clara La Laguna

This is one of the most off-the-beaten path towns to visit at the lake.  It’s difficult to get here because it’s at the top of the mountain at Lake Atitlán but it’s 100% worth it if you have time and you can figure it out!  The viewpoints from this town are amazing!

You will need to hire a tuk tuk to take you to San Pablo La Laguna from San Marcos La Laguna or San Juan La Laguna (the two closest towns).  Then you’ll hire a local tuk-tuk in San Pablo to go to Santa Clara La Laguna.  You will need to negotiate the price as they will want to charge a lot since it’s up the mountain.  You’ll need to tell them you want to visit the mirador and the two best are Mirador Santa Clara La Laguna and Mirador Chuich ok’ok’ (this is the viewpoint with the swing).  Another option is with a private driver.  If you hire a private driver transfer from Antigua or Guatemala City to the towns of San Pedro, San Juan, or San Marcos then you can ask the driver to stop at these viewpoints.  Santa Clara La Laguna is a stopping point on the way to these towns.

San Pedro La Laguna

This is a very popular tourist town to visit amongst backpackers as it’s known to be a party town.   I am too old to be a backpacker and this is not my vibe.  Therefore, it’s one of my least favorite towns.  However, there are great activities here such as the Mayan Kitchen Cooking class, the Mayan Face hike, and there are fantastic Spanish schools here!  If you are a backpacker and into partying then this is where you’ll want to stay.  

Many of the tourist shuttles arrive at this town and this is the final stop on the water taxi system from Panajachel.  So it’s very easy to get to this town.

Santiago

This is one of the most authentic towns to visit at Lake Atitlán.  I recommend coming here to learn about the local culture and to meet a Maya folk saint called Maximón.  Also, the street food scene here is fantastic!  

The water taxi route does not stop at this town as it’s a separate boat to book to get here from Panajachel or San Pedro La Laguna.  It’s a direct boat and you can ask at the dock in Panajachel or San Pedro La Laguna.

Santa Catarina Palopó

This is located just next to Panajachel and is a quiet town offering authentic cultural experiences.  Santa Catarina Palopó is probably the prettiest at the lake!  The buildings are painted in beautiful colors and there are a few very nice hotels here.  

This town is not located along the water taxi route and there are not any public boats that arrive here.  Therefore, you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk from Panajachel or pay for a private boat to get to Santa Catarina Palopó.

San Antonio Palaopó

This is one of the least visited towns at Lake Atitlán and this is because it’s somewhat difficult to get to San Antonio Palopó.  The water taxi system doesn’t come here.  Also, it’s two towns over from Panajchel so it’s possible to ask a tuk-tuk driver to take you here, but they will likely charge a high fee.  Despite these inconveniences, it’s worth visiting as the views are beautiful.  It’s a very authentic town to visit and my recommendation is to book an ATV tour to visit Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó on a day trip.  

 

Where to stay at Lake Atitlán

From hostels to mid-range and luxury hotels, there are plenty of hotel options in the towns at Lake Atitlán.  I like to use Booking.com to find and reserve hotels.  I recommend this because if someone frequently uses the platform, it rewards loyalty with different tiers of customer service, free breakfast, and discounts off bookings.  

Below are a few of my Lake Atitlán hotel recommendations (I’ve stayed at every hotel on this list): 

Panajachel

• Budget-friendly hotel:   Click here to book Regis Hotel Spa.
• Luxury hotel:  Click here to book Hotel Atitlán.

Santa Catarina Palopó

• Mid-range:  Click here to book Villa Santa Catarina.
• Luxury:  Click here to book Tzampoc Resort.
• Luxury:  Click here to book Casa Palopó.

San Juan La Laguna

• Budget-friendly:  Click here to book Posada Woochooch.
• Budget-friendly:  Click here to book El Chirris Las Artes.
• Mid-range to luxury:  Click here to book Principitos Universe.

Santa Cruz La Laguna

Budget to mid-range:  Click here to book La Iguana Perdida.

What to do at Lake Atitlán

There is so much to do at Lake Atitlán!  Since there are many towns surrounding the lake, you can find activities in each town and tours that will take you from town to town.  Also, there is a day trip in the highlands (a bit away from the lake) to visit one of the largest markets in Central America or to visit an ancient Maya city.  I have all my recommendations listed below.

•  Book a tour to explore San Juan La Laguna, Santiago, and/or Santa Catarina Palopó.  Contact David on WhatsApp at +502-4801-9656 to book a private, cultural tour.  
• Contact Timoteo on WhatsApp at +502-4214-9643 to book a hiking tour.  He can take you to various towns and the best viewpoints at Lake Atitlán (with the exception of the sunrise Mayan Face hike).
• Chichicastenango has one of the largest markets in Guatemala, and it’s an easy day trip to visit this town and market from Panjachel, Lake Atitlán.  The market is open every day but if you want the best experience on the big market days, then you’ll need to visit on a Thursday or Sunday.  Click here to book a day trip to visit the Chichicastenango market. 
• The Mayan Face hike has the best view at the lake!  You can hike this during the day or at sunrise which is the most popular hike.  Click here to book the sunrise Mayan Face hike from Panajachel.  Just note that Panajachel is far from the hike and this is why the cost is higher.  
• The most popular option is to book the Mayan Face hike from the towns of San Pedro La Laguna, San Marcos La Laguna, or San Juan La Laguna.  I recommend contacting Henry on WhatsApp at +502- 5836-7172 to book the sunrise Mayan Face hike from these towns because he has a private area away from the big tourist crowds (where most of the other tour companies will take you).  I also think he has the best viewpoint area and he serves hot coffee and toasted bread for breakfast.  The pick up time will be approximately 3:30 am – 4:30 am.  
• We’ve booked several ATV tours in Guatemala and these are always some of our favorite experiences!  We loved the ATV tour to visit two of the most cultural towns at Lake Atitlán and to see incredible viewpoints.  Click here to book an ATV tour from Panajachel to visit Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó.
• You can also book an ATV tour at the other side of the lake.  Click here to book an ATV tour from San Juan La Laguna to the best viewpoints at Lake Atitlán.
• It’s also amazing to take an ATV tour to view incredible viewpoints and the sunset!  Click here to book an ATV tour from Panajachel to watch the sunset.  
• The most incredible Maya ruins in Guatemala are located in the department of Petén.  However, there are a few other interesting sites in Guatemala and one that can be visited as a day trip from Lake Atitlán.  Click here to book a day trip to visit the Iximche Maya ruins from Panajachel. 
• Kayaking is one of the best ways to see the lake!  I love renting a kayak and enjoying the peacefulness of the lake while admiring the volcano views.  Click here to book a kayaking tour from San Pedro la Laguna.
• One of the best activities is to the most incredible view points in the town of Santa Clara La Laguna.  It’s a bit complicated to get here if you don’t drive but it can be done! You will need to hire a tuk-tuk to take you from San Marcos La Laguna or San Juan La Laguna to get to the town of San Pablo La Laguna.  Once you arrive in San Pablo, you’ll negotiate with another tuk-tuk driver to go to the two best viewpo0ints at Santa Clara La Laguna.  They are called Mirador Chuich ok’ok’ (the viewpoint with the swing) and Mirador Santa Clara La Laguna.
• Guatemala has some of the best coffee in the world!  You can book a tour to learn about the coffee farms and productions.  Click here for a coffee tour in San Juan La Laguna.

 

 

Restaurant Recommendations at Lake Atitlán

There are several great restaurants in different towns at Lake Atitlán.  You can find below a list of my favorites.  Of course, there are more restaurants that I’ll keep adding to this list every time I visit the lake, but these are the ones I’ve personally been to so far and can recommend.  

Panajachel

• Circus Bar:  This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants in Guatemala. They have great pizza, a good wine selection, and live music at night on the weekends.  
• The Little Spoon:  This is my favorite place for breakfast!  It’s also a good lunch spot and it’s always busy.  It’s right on the main street and easy to find!  
• Restaurant Tuscani: This is another restaurant on the main street that is easy to find.  I like this one because they have a great Italian menu but also plenty of vegan options.  It’s the kind of restaurant where everyone can eat.  By the way, they have a TV here and always seem to show football (soccer games).  
• Restaurante Atlantis: I don’t think they have the best food although it is good.  What I like about this place is the vibe!  I’ve watched many football (soccer games) here and they have a huge menu so it’s the kind of restaurant where everyone would enjoy a meal.  
• Delhi 6: If you like Indian food then you should visit this restaurant!  It’s difficult to find good Indian food in Guatemala.  However, this restaurant, and another Indian restaurant in Xela are my two favorites.  
• 7 Caldos:  This is a restaurant chain in Guatemala as you will find more 7 Caldos locations in Antigua, Guatemala City, and Xela.  I like this restaurant because they serve traditional Guatemalan food.  Everything is listed on their menu with explanations so I think it’s a great restaurant to visit for an introduction to Guatemalan foods!  Just note that sometimes people will say it’s not “authentic” because the prices are more expensive compared to street food or food at the local market.  However, 7 Caldos is the perfect option for tourists who are worried about food quality and don’t want to take a chance on eating street food or at the market.  
• Dao Thai:  Thai food is my all-time favorite!  It’s been difficult to find good Thai food in Guatemala but this restaurant is good.  I wouldn’t say it’s the best but if you’re craving Thai food then this restaurant will do well during your trip!  

 

Santa Catarina Palopó

• Hotel & Restaurante El Mirador: I’ve never stayed at the hotel here but I have eaten at the restaurant a few times.  The food is good but what makes this place stand out the most are the views.  I love sitting here and eating while looking at out some of the most incredible lake and volcano views in the area.  
• Cafe Tuk: This is one of the best cafes at the lake!  Their coffee is amazing.  

 

Santa Cruz La Laguna

• Cafe Sabor Cruceno: This is one of my favorite restaurants at Lake Atitlan!  They have one of the best views I’ve seen at any restaurant at the lake, the food is good, the prices are reasonable, and they support a good cause.  This restaurant focuses on community-based tourism with the profits going back to the workers in the community.  They have a small shop selling locally handmade items and offer cooking classes.  
• Rinconcito Chapin:  If you want to try traditional Guatemalan food then I highly recommend this restaurant!  The food here is amazing.    

 

Jaibalito

• Bistro Indigo: Most people visit Jaibalito because it’s the small town next to La Casa Del Mundo.  I like the food at Casa Del Mundo but it is expensive.  So whenever I stay here but want to eat something different, I like to visit this restaurant.  
• Posada Jaibalito: This is another restaurant you can walk to from La Casa Del Mundo.  We thought the food was great here too!  

 

San Marcos La Laguna

• The Hidden Garden Atitlan:  San Marcos La Laguna is a haven for healthy, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free foods. You will find a lot of restaurants like this in the town and this one is always busy and has great reviews.  
• El Rincon del Sabor: This is my favorite restaurant in San Marcos La Laguna for traditional Guatemala food.  It’s delicious!  

 

San Juan La Laguna

• Cafe Y Restaurante Alma De Colores:  This is my favorite restaurant in San Juan La Laguna!  It’s a restaurant that focuses on community-based tourism and the food is delicious.  
• Mayachik Vegetarian Restaurant:  This is great if you don’t eat meat or if you’re like me and you eat meat but love a good vegetarian meal.  The food is delicious!  

 

San Pedro La Laguna

• Alma Restaurant: They have delicious food and great views!  
• Pizzeria el Callejon: If you like pizza then I recommend coming here for lunch or dinner. 

 

Santiago

• Restaurante El Mana: This is my favorite restaurant near the main dock in Santiago.  So if you are arriving for a day tour then I recommend coming here for lunch or dinner. 
• Restaurante Fratelli Amore: if you want Italian food then I recommend checking out this restaurant!  This restaurant is located in the middle of the town.

Weather at Lake Atitlán

The weather is usually in the mid to high 70s Fahrenheit during the day and in the low or high 50s and the 60s at night.  

The best time to travel to Lake Atitlán is from November – April which is the dry season.  The coolest months are December, January, and February but it can also get chilly when it’s raining.  The warmest months are March, April, and May when the temperatures are almost always in the high 70s.

Lake Atitlán Travel Tips

• Safety:  I have always felt safe traveling around Lake Atitlán. This has been the case whether I have traveled alone or with my Guatemalan husband.  You should take normal precautions at Lake Atitlán but I would recommend not hiking alone.  I have heard from other tourists that they have been robbed or ran into trouble while hiking up San Pedro Volcan or from town to town.  I have always hiked with a guide and haven’t had any issues.  You can read more about how I feel in regards to safety in Guatemala by clicking here for my main travel guide. 
• Medical emergencies and travel insurance:  Guatemala’s public healthcare system is not very good but you can find very high-quality private healthcare available in the country.  However, if you need to visit a private hospital you will need to pay thousands of dollars upfront.  This is why everyone tourist in Guatemala should have a travel insurance policy.  I recommend Safety Wing because they offer health and travel insurance including a simple claims process and great customer service!  The insurance plans cover hospital stays, medications, surgery, travel delays, lost luggage, and more.  You can click here to sign up for a plan.   
• Language:  Most people in Guatemala speak Spanish and not English. Therefore, it’s important to at least learn the basics to be able to communicate with people.  If you want to learn Spanish from a Guatemalan teacher then I can recommend Instituto IIAA.  You can contact Luis on WhatsApp at +502-4647-5877 or reach out to the school on Instagram by clicking here.  You can use my code KERRY to get a $50 discount off monthly classes and receive a free placement exam!  
• Cash, credit cards, and ATMs:  You can use your credit cards in many restaurants and hotels in the main tourist areas in Guatemala. However, there are also cash only places such as small local restaurants, markets, tuk-tuk drivers, lancha (boat) transportation, tips, and more.  You will absolutely need cash and I recommend using the local ATMs to take out cash for a small fee (do not use the money exchange at the airport as they have a very bad rate).  
• Internet & data:  Most hotels, hostels, Airbnbs, and restaurants will have free wi-fi. Although, sometimes it works well but at times it doesn’t!  If you need consistent data and wi-fi access then I suggest downloading an app with an eSim. Now that I live in Guatemala I use a local sim but when I was initially traveling here, I used Airalo eSim.  This was easy to set up and convenient rather than wasting time to go into the Tigo or Claro store in Guatemala to get a physical sim.  You can click here to download the app and set up service.
• Noise cancellation:  I recommend traveling to Guatemala with ear plugs because this country can be LOUD. I am not exaggerating as there are often roosters crowing, loud motorcycles, dogs barking, and weddings or a celebration with fireworks. If you bring ear plugs with you then you can thank me later. Click here for my favorite ear plugs. 
• Food & Water:  In Guatemala, the water from the faucet is not safe to drink, however, most restaurants will serve a glass of filtered water or bottled water.  I recommend traveling to Guatemala with a water bottle with a built-in filter.  I use the Life Straw bottle in Guatemala and it completely filters out any of the bad stuff and works well!  You can buy this online by clicking here.   Also, if you’re the type of person who has a sensitive stomach then I recommend avoiding street food or eating anything raw.  Usually the raw vegetables are fine but as an extra precaution, I would skip those.  
• Portable safe:  In my experience, many hotels in Guatemala do not have a safe.  Therefore, I recommend buying a portable safe that can be locked to many different fixtures in a hotel room.  You can put your laptop, passport, extra cash, etc. inside this safe and hide your valuables.  Click here to buy the portable safe I’ve always used in Guatemala.  
• Sun protection: It can get very sunny in Guatemala and sunblock can be expensive here.  Oftentimes it’s double the price so whenever I’m in the U.S. I’ll stock up and bring it back with me.  Click here to buy the sunscreen I always use for my face and this is the natural sunscreen I buy for my body.  

 

Do  you  need  more  travel  tips  for  Guatemala? 

Check out my Ultimate Guide for Guatemala!  This blog post provides an introduction to traveling to Guatemala, a high level overview of how to plan a trip, what to expect, and my best travel tips for the country.  Click here to review this guide.

You can also check out my guides for specific destinations in Guatemala:

• El Paredón

• Antigua

 

Or, if you need help with a customized itinerary then you can book a travel consultation with me!  Click here to review my calendar with availability and the cost for this service.

 

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