Lake Atitlan Full Travel Guide

Your go-to guide for the best insider information about Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Including which villages to visit, places to stay, things to do, guide information, boat schedules and more!

List of all the villages:

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  1. Panajachel *

  2. Santa Catarina Palopo *

  3. San Antonio Palopo. *

  4. San Lucas Toliman

  5. Cerro de Orro

  6. Santiago Atitlan *

  7. San Pedro la Laguna. *

  8. San Juan la Laguna *

  9. San Pablo la Laguna

  10. Santa Clara la Laguna

  11. San Marcos la Laguna *

  12. Tzununa

  13. Santa Cruz la Laguna *

  14. Jaibalito *

  15. San Jorge la Laguna

* Featured towns

My Favorite Places to Stay:

Budget to Mid-Range Places to Stay:

Higher-End Luxury Places to Stay:

Restaurants:

Things to do:

  • Textile Market Panajachel

    • PERMANENTLY CLOED :( Open Tuesdays and Fridays from approximately 9am - 3pm. Located on the Calle Principal at the Bomberos Fire House.

  • Stand Up Paddle Board

  • Nature Reserve San Marcos la Laguna

    • Cerro Tzankujil is a very peaceful place with hikes, cliff jumping and more. Entrance is about Q35 per person. A few steps away from Hotel Lush Atitlan.

  • Hike Rostro Maya Santa Clara la Laguna

    • You can leave from San Pedro of San Juan, but be sure to go with a guide. If you don’t want to hike up the entire way, you can take a pick-up truck to Santa Clara and just hike the last 20 minutes. Contact Nehemias for bi-lingual guide information: @nehemiassancoy

  • Natural Dye Seminar San Juan la Laguna

    • LEMA is our favorite women run weaving cooperative and can give incredible seminars about the local art, natural dyes and traditional weaving. Want a bi-lingual tour guide? Contact Hiptipico for a private tour. Contact LEMA on facebook or Hiptipico.

  • Artisan Visit Santa Catarina Palopo

    • The town cultural center will offer local tours on the spot or you can book a private intimate tour with Hiptipico including an artisan home visit and weaving lesson.

  • Pottery Tour San Antonio Palopo

  • Maximón Santiago Atitlan

    • Maximon is an icon here on Lake Atitlan. He is a spiritual and historic figure that is preserved in Santiago Atitlan. His statue is displayed and cared for in a new location every year. Any tuktuk in Santiago should know and take you to him.

Getting Around:

  • Public Boat Schedule

    • Public boats are typically available between 6:30AM and 7:30PM with a cost of Q10-Q25 a person. Be expected to pay a 20% up-charge if you’re a gringo. Just pay what they ask you to.

  • Private Boat Driver

    • If you need an early ride or miss the last boat call Ramos +502 3056 7182. He is a captain from SantaCruz and can coordinate a private trip at any time. Be sure to mention my name (alyssa la canche) for special treatment.

  • Shared Shuttle Schedule

    • There are shared tourist shuttles between Panajachel and the rest of Guatemala. These are very affordable and on a regular time-table. You can go to the airport, Antigua, and even Mexico! I recommend contacting Rufino at Tierra Maya.

  • Private Driver

    • Hilberto is the private driver I use and trust with all my rides. He is based in Panajachel. Contact: +502 5627 4893

  • Uber Information

    • You CAN take an uber from the airport or Antigua to Panajachel. But it is unlikely you will find an uber driver once at the lake.

My Secret Instagrammable Spots

  • Panajachel Docks

  • AYA Creativa Studio Panajachel

  • Jucanya Secret Beach

  • Santa Catarina Painted Wall

  • Tzampoc Infinity Pool

  • Godinez Mirador

  • On a Private Boat

  • Santa Catarina Hike

Photography Etiquette

  • Around the lake, locals are use to tourists and understand you are going to take photos. In general, ask permission if it is a closeup portrait of someone specific. And of course pay anyone you photograph or anyone who is in a photo with you. If you are a professional photographer or videographer and you will profit off of the image, please pay relative to your earnings. If you were to photograph someone in NY, please give your subject in Guatemala a similar dignified payment.

Thanks for reading. And as always . . . Be thoughtful. Stay kind.

♡ Alyssa

Follow along on instagram (@alyssaya) for more about Guatemala, ethical fashion, responsible travel and globally minded topics!

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