Book a call with me
Facebook Instagram Tiktok Youtube Threads Pinterest
Facebook Instagram Tiktok Youtube Threads

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 when it comes to planning.  Lake Atitlán is one big destination with many towns to visit. It’s such a big destination  that it’s difficult for many tourists to understand where to stay, how to get around, and which towns to visit.

Most influencers or travel bloggers who only 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 which I will mention in this blog post).  

I live in Guatemala City and visit Lake Atitlan often. I’ve been to almost every town multiple times and I have some specific recommendations.. In this blog post, I will highlight many authentic cultural experiences, incredible hikes, hotel recommendations and general travel tips.  

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 approximately because there can sometimes be 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 and 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 at Panjachel or San Pedro La Laguna.  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 affordable and I recommend booking private transportation.  

There are a few drawbacks to booking the shuttles.  The first is that they have a set schedule.  So if you arrive at the Guatemala City airport and want to take a shuttle, then you will sometimes need to wait for the set time.  Also, at times the shuttles can run late so even if the time is set, there is the possibility of a delay while GuateDriver will always be there to pick you up early.  

Another drawback is that the drivers are not always so cautious.  Some of them drive quickly and tourists (including myself) often 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).

If you want to book a shuttle then I have some options listed below:  

 

How to get around Lake Atitlán

You won’t find Uber here but there are tuk-tuks in each town.  The tuktuks 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.  There is a another boat schedule that leaves approximately every 30 minutes to the town of Santiago.  

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.  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 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.  

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 tourists stay here because it’s peaceful and the views are nice.  Also, it’s a popular place for kayaking and paddle boarding. 

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.  

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. 

This is one of the most touristy places to visit in Guatemala.   Many travelers 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.  

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.  .  

San Juan La Laguna

This is probably my favorite village 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. 

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 which is why 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 great Spanish schools here!  Also, if you are a backpacker and into partying then this is where you’ll want to stay.  

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!  

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.  

San Antonio Palaopó

This is one of the least visited towns at Lake Atitlán and it’s only  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 beautifu.  It’s a very authentic town to visit.

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 breakfasts 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

San Juan La Laguna

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 here 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 villages 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 on Thursdays and Sundays.  Click here to book a day trip to visit the Chichicastenango market. 
  • The Mayan Face hike has the best hiking 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 further from the hike and this is why the cost is higher.  
  • You can also book the Mayan Face hike from the towns on San Pedro La Laguna or San Juan La Laguna.  Click here to book the sunrise Mayan Face hike from San Pedro La Laguna.
  • We’ve booked several ATV tours in Guatemala and these are always some of our favorite experiences!  We loved this 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 incredible ancient 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 kayaking and enjoying the peacefulness of the lake while admiring the volcano views.  Click here to book a kayaking tour from San Pedro 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.  Below is 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 and it’s 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 in Antigua, Guatemala City, and Xela.  I like this restaurant because they serve traditional Guatemalan foods.  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 some will say it’s not “authentic” because the prices are more expensive compared to street food or food at the local market.  However, some tourists are worried about having stomach problems with street food so eating at a restaurant like this is a very good option.  
  • 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

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 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 usually in the high 70s.

Lake Atitlán Travel Tips

  • Safety:  I have always felt safe traveling in Antigua, Guatemala! Whether I traveled alone or with my Guatemalan husband. I think any tourist will only need to take normal precautions in order to feel safe in Antigua.  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 there is 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 I recommend having a travel insurance policy in place.  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 cash out 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 sometimes 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 I avoided going into the 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 weddings or just a celebration in Antigua in general 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:  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 also 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.  I usually buy this sunscreen for my face and this for the rest of 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.  

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.

 

Please note that some links on my site are affiliate links.  This means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you click through these links and make a booking or purchase. By using these links you’re supporting my blog so I can continue to publish content and travel recommendations for Guatemala. Something important to mention is that I only feature recommendations I believe in and use myself. Thank you!

Share:

More Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Quick Links

Social Links