The Most Incredible Things to Do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Welcome to one of the most beautiful places in Central America, Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. With colorful markets, breathtaking views, and a variety of adventure activities, there are so many things to do in Lake Atitlan to make it worth the visit.
We wildly underestimated just how much there was to do in the area, but also really had such an incredible experience that we're now able to share with you.
In our Lake Atitlan travel guide we're going to share the best towns to visit, unique accommodation options, and of course, all of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
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📍 Where is Lake Atitlan in Guatemala?
Lake Atitlan is located in the department of Solola, in the south west of Guatemala.
Lake Atitlan's most western town is just under 80 km south east of Quetzaltenango. The lake's most eastern town is about 75 km north west of Antigua, and a little over 100 km east of Guatemala City.
How to Get to Lake Atitlan in Guatemala
Now that you have a better idea of where Lake Atitlan is in Guatemala, let's look at the different options for getting there.
✈️ What Airport Do You Fly into for Atitlan?
The closest airport to Lake Atitlan is located in Santiago Atitlan, on the southern coast of the lake. However, this is a private air strip, and cannot be used commercially.
The easiest airport to fly into for Atitlan is Guatemala City, which is the main hub of Guatemala, and has plenty of international flights coming in.
Psst! Flights to Guatemala City from the US can be as low as $36! Check out Skyscanner and use the calendar to check for the cheapest dates.
US Cities that fly direct to Guatemala City include Alexandria, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, and Washington.
Other cities that fly to Guatemala City include Belize City, Bogota, Cancun, Flores, Madrid, Managua, Merida, Mexico City, Panama City, Puerto Barrios, Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Roatan, San Pedro Sula, San Salvador, Santo Domingo, San Jose, Tegucigalpa, and Tuxla Gutierrez.
Want to book a private flight? We have friends that own a plane and offer affordable private flights directly to Santiago Atitlan! (Email us!).
How to Get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan
The most popular city to get to Lake Atitlan from is Antigua, another beloved city by tourists in Guatemala.
There are daily shuttles that go to the town of Panajachel from Antigua, and you can easily set one up through your hotel in Antigua, or book a shared shuttle online.
If you're short on time and want to see some of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan, you can also do one of the following day trips from Antigua.
🚕 Can You Uber from Antigua to Lake Atitlan?
If you want a specific time or a different destination than Panajachel you can in fact get an Uber, although it will be much pricier (closer to $100 USD).
How to Get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan
There are also shuttles that leave from Guatemala City that go to Panajachel. Actually, they are the same shuttles that go from Antigua, and then from there they go to Panajachel. You can book them in Guatemala City, or purchase the transfer online.
Another option is to take this organized tour that goes to Lake Atitlan for 1 day and stays overnight. It goes round trip from Guatemala City, and costs $88.
How to Get from Quetzaltenango to Lake Atitlan
If you're coming from west of Lake Atitlan, chances are you'll be coming from Quetzaltenango, also known by locals as "Xela".
Well, you can also find direct buses to San Pedro La Laguna, or if you are going to the other side of the lake you can find transfers that go from Xela to Panajachel.
What Requirements are Needed to Travel to Guatemala?
Guatemala allows tourists to stay up to 90 days without a visa. If you are flying in, you will simply need a valid passport to enter Guatemala.
If you are driving into Guatemala with a rental car (like we did), you will need special paperwork to cross the land border, which costs $180 USD, and can be requested from your rental company a few days before you recieve your rental.
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Local Adjustments for Visiting Lake Atitlan in Guatemala
Now that you know how to get into Guatemala, let's talk about some of the "know before you go" details.
🗣 What Language Do They Speak in Lake Atitlan?
While the official language in Guatemala is Spanish, each of the villages around the lake have their own local language!
Don't worry though- everyone also does speak Spanish, so you can still download Duolingo and brush up on your skills.
💶 Currency in Guatemala
The currency in Guatemala is the Guatemalen Quetzal. Currently (September 2024) 1 USD is equal to 7.76 Quetzal, 1 Euro is equal to 8.46 Quetzal, and 1 GDP is equal to 10.06 Quetzal.
Credit cards still aren't very widely used in Guatemala, so it's important to take quite a bit of cash out so that you can enjoy all of the fun things to do in Lake Atitlan.
Is Lake Atitlan Expensive?
Compared to most places in Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a bit more expensive. That being said though, it is still an affordable destination! You can find hotels for under $25/night, and meals for just a few dollars.
It is certainly very possible to do Lake Atitlan on a budget, and there are a lot of budget-friendly things to do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
🔌 What Adapter Do I Need for Guatemala?
Guatemala uses the same electrical outlets as the US and the rest of North America, which are for plug types A & B. The country operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60 Hz.
If you have electronics with 3 prongs or where one of the prongs is bigger than the other, than you may need to get a travel adapter.
🚰 Water Potability- Is Lake Atitlan Water Clean?
The tap water in Lake Atitlan is not recommended for consumption. We recommend sticking to bottled water, but purchasing large jugs in the super market and refilling a reusable bottle rather than continuing to purchase small plastic bottles.
💸 Should You Tip in Atitlan?
The tipping culture in Lake Atitlan and other areas of Guatemala is typically 10%. Make sure to have cash, as you cannot add tips normally onto your credit card.
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Things to Do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Now that you know all of the basics, let's get to the fun stuff! Here are all of the fun things to do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, and the best places to visit around the area.
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🏘 Things to Do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: Towns to Visit
One of the top things to do in Lake Atitlan is to explore the different villages dotting the island. Each one has its own culture, vibe, and unique activities.
San Pedro la Laguna
This is a cute and quirky town that offers a variety of fun activities, and is great for basing yourself.
Some of the things you can enjoy in San Pedro include:
- relaxing on the "beach"
- parasailing
- taking a Guatemalan cooking class
- soaking in hot tubs
- SUP, kayaking, & banana boats
San Juan de la Laguna
San Juan de la Laguna is hands down our favorite part of Lake Atitlan. This town is full of color and art, making it the most vibrant section of the lake in our opinion.
Walk around and admire the stunning murals, stroll the unique streets, and go shopping for local arts and crafts.
San Juan de la Laguna is known for it's art.
Here are some spots you won't want to miss in San Juan de la Laguna:
☂️ La Calle de las Sombrillas (Street of the Umbrellas) - this is the main shopping street
👒 La Calle de los Sombreros (Street of the Hats)
👀 Mirador Kaqasiiwaan - a beautiful viewpoint
☕️Nativo Coffee Shop - adorable cafe with great views
San Marcos la Laguna
If you're looking for a small and cozy "hippie style" village, then San Marcos la Laguna may be the one for you.
The main road is pedestrian-only and is full of trendy restaurants, cute shops, and a ton of long term tourists enjoying slower days and socializing.
Walk down to the end and you'll find a nice little pier with volcano views and a tiny beach you can hang out on.
Solola
This town is really the only one that doesn't hug the coast, but is known for having some of the best views of Lake Atitlan.
We only ended up driving through this town, as there was zero visibility, and unfortunately we couldn't appreciate the views that the town typically offers.
Panajachel
This is definitely one of the most popular towns for tourists to stay, and it's because it's the main hub of Lake Atitlan, and is the town that is connected best to Antigua.
Panajachel really just has one long main street full of shops and restaurants. Our favorite part of the city was actually the end of the main street, where you can find a beautiful colorfully-painted wooden platform facing the surrounding volcanoes.
Santa Catarina Palopo
Just next to Panajachel, Santa Catarina is known for its colorfully painted houses stacked up in the hillside. Little by little more of the city is being painted, and it's coming more alive.
Walk along the beach and enjoy the views, as well as this adorable red hut that is a small cafe.
There is also a spot along the lakeside where boiling hot water from volcanic activity comes out and warms a small natural pool right next to it.
San Antonio Palopo
San Antonio Palopo kind of reminded us of the Amalfi Coast. While it is very small and doesn't have a ton of shops or restaurants, the beauty comes from the houses built into the hill overlooking the lake.
We suggest walking to both sides outside of the city center, so that you can enjoy the views of the town from afar.
Santiago Atitlan
This area of Lake Atitlan is separated from the rest, but has some of the best views around it.
We stayed here, and while it's a bit far from most places, it's the perfect place if you want to get a nice hotel and simply relax, or do some water activities.
🪂 Things to Do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: Activities
Other than all of the beautiful towns, there are so many fun things to do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
Don't miss out on simply wandering the streets and enjoying the colorful murals, strolling along the beaches, taking in the views, and going shopping! There are so many incredible local artisans, and Lake Atitlan is also known for their handmade textiles!
The villages of Atitlan are known for their incredible fabrics (especially San Juan la Laguna)
Here are also some of the cool activities you can sign up for:
- Coffee Tour
- ATV Tour $57 4 hours
- Water Ski
- Banana Boat
- Horse Back Riding
- Paragliding
- Canopy Tour
- Stand Up Paddle Board
- San Pedro Volcano Hike
- Kayak Tour $89/ 7 hours
- Cooking Class $60/ 3 hours
- Tubing Tour
- Fishing
- Boat Tour $92/12 hours
- Bike Tour $85 3 hours
- Indian Nose Hike (best for sunrise!)
- Lower Mayan Trail $75 San Marcos to Santa Cruz 4-Hour Hike
🍴 Things to Do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: Local Food & Drinks
Lake Atitlan has a lot to offer when it comes to culinary experiences. Try the street food in Santiago Atitlan, hang out at one of the beautifully decorated international restaurants in San Marcos, or sit at a cute cafe in San Juan de la Laguna.
There is something for everyone in Lake Atitlan, so make sure to try some of the local dishes:
🫑 Chiles Rellenos (stuffed peppers)
🍲 Pepian de pollo (chicken stew)
🍗 Jocon (chicken with a green sauce)
🥣 Caldo Tlalpeño (soup with chicken, avocado, chilly peppers, nachos, and cheese)
Also, don't miss out on the coffee! Guatemala has excellent coffee, and you can find good local coffee all over Lake Atitlan.
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How Do You Get Aroud Atitlan?
Now that you know all of the fun things to do in Lake Atitlan, let's get you from one place to another!
🚶🏻♀️ Can You Walk Around Lake Atitlan?
Lake Atitlan is so much bigger than we thought! You cannot walk around Lake Atitlan itself, but each of the towns are pretty small and can be explored on foot.
Lake Atitlan in Guatemala is much bigger than you'd think!
🚌 How to Get Around Lake Atitlan
When we visited Lake Atitlan we had a car. This allowed us to be able to see all of the towns, and gave us flexibilty with our schedule.
🚗 Is it Worth Driving to Lake Atitlan?
We will admit that we would have rather explored without a car at Lake Atitlan, and it's because of a few reasons:
- There are lanchas (small boats) that regularly go from one town to another. This is a much faster way to get around, and is also very affordable.
- Towns are small and really hard to maneuver. We got stuck on a few streets!
- There are tolls for entering each town. It's only 5 Q, but it definitely was a bit annoying.
- You have to pay for parking almost everywhere, and it also adds up quickly.
- Driving around the lake takes 4 hours! There are also a lot of mountains, so it's not the most efficient, and gas isn't cheap.
- Gas stations close from 10 pm to 4:30 am.
🚤 Getting Around Lake Atitlan Without a Car
The easiest and cheapest way to get around Lake Atitlan is by lancha, which are the small boats. They are just 25 Q, they're fast, and they have nice views.
Beware of scams claiming that boat rides are 50 Quetzales or more. Sometimes they tell tourists this so that they can pocket the extra money!
🛺 Getting Around the Towns of Lake Atitlan
Most towns of Lake Atitlan are actually small enough to walk around, and the ones that are a bit bigger (like San Juan de la Laguna or San Pedro la Laguna) you can easily find a tuk tuk to take you around.
Uber is also available in Guatemala, so you can rely on that if you feel more comfortable.
There are plenty of tuk tuks around Lake Atitlan.
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Where to Stay in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
There are a lot of things to do in Lake Atitlan, so you'll want to make sure you're staying in an ideal location!
🏨 The Best Area to Stay at Lake Atitlan
If you want to be in a place with a lot of things to do that is well connected with a lot of the other towns, then San Pedro la Laguna and San Juan de la Laguna are certainly your best bet.
Our personal favorite is San Juan de la Laguna, as it's super colorful, walkable, and has plenty of options for food.
If you have a longer stay, then San Pedro la Laguna is a popular one for digital nomads, and San Marcos is the more "hippie" style town if you like a more laid back and international vibe.
San Juan de la Laguna is a great place to base yourself while in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
If you are looking for a quiet stay with beautiful views, then Santiago Atitlan is a nice area to stay, and although it's far from everything, you an easily get a lancha to cross to the other villages.
For those wanting to visit Antigua before or after, and to be well-connected with everything, Panajachel is a great town to base yourself in.
🛌 The Best Hotels in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Here are some unique hotels worth staying:
Hotel Palmera Dorada
If you're looking for a relaxing getaway, then Hotel Palmera Dorada is the place to go. Remotely located in Santiago Atitlan, it boasts some of the most stunning views, a rooftop pool, and a few different restaurants and bars on site. Make sure to ask about their special boat cruise!
- Hotel La Casa del Mundo: has a pool and stunning restaurant on the water with breathtaking views of the volcano
- La Fortuna at Atitlan: beautiful eco lodges with jacuzzis and epic views
- Casa Palopo & Chateaux: awesome hotel built into a hill with incredible views. It has tortilla making experiences, yoga classes, painting, boat rides, and deluxe tent lunches.
- Eagle's Retreat: adorable eco lodges perched up in a hill with a cafe, sauna, yoga classes, and special events. They also have all-inclusive options for those wanting it all on their vacation.
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Is Lake Atitlan in Guatemala Safe?
Overall the towns of Lake Atitlan are perfectly safe to explore during the day, even on your own.
Once it gets dark out though, we wouldn't really recommend roaming around on your own. While there isn't a ton of crime, it's generally recommended to keep walking around to the daytime.
If you have any medical emergency, there are medical facilities in most towns, the most colorful one being in San Juan de la Laguna!
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Other Things to Know About Visiting Lake Atitlan in Guatemala
Now that you know the best things to do in Lake Atitlan, how to get around, and most of the logistics for visiting, we're going to share a few final details.
☀️ Weather in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan has a dry season and a wet season. Summer (June, July, August, & September) are hot, humid, and very rainy. March, April, and May are dry and hot, but not too hot. October the rain slows down and temperatures cool down, and November, December, January and February are cool and dry.
Overall the temperatures are pretty mild at Lake Atitlan, and it never gets too cold or too hot (the max is around 30 degrees Celcius).
📆 What is the Best Month for Lake Atitlan?
The most popular months for visiting Lake Atitlan are March, October, November, and December. This is when the weather is the best, and the days are clear so you can enjoy incredible views of the surrounding volcanoes.
November is the best month for Lake Atitlan though, as it's the month known for also having the best sunsets.
If you'd like a quieter stay, we'd recommend visiting in January or February. We went in June and the weather was honestly awful, and most days we didn't see the volcanoes at all.
🎒 What Should I Pack for Lake Atitlan?
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat to protect yourself from the sun
- Comfortable Shoes for walking the streets
- Exercise clothes for hiking Indian Nose
- Bathing suit for the hot baths
- Beach towel or blanket
- Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Travel Adapter (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)
- Umbrella if you visit during the rainy season
- Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Drone for great aerial shots (We use the DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro)
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
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🤔 Is Lake Atitlan Worth it?
With so many fun things to do in Lake Atitlan, it's easy to see why a trip here would be worth it. If you like gorgeous views, charming towns, and supporting local communities, then you'll absolutely fall in love with Lake Atitlan in Guatemala like we did.
Lake Atitlan is full of color and incredible views.
⏳ How Many Days Do You Need in Lake Atitlan?
We severely underestimated the amount of things to do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. While you can certainly see a lot in 2-3 days, you could easily spend a few weeks enjoying all that this epic lake has to offer.
If you are tight on time, we'd recommend 3 days, but if you have time to spend we'd recommend a week to truly enjoy all that the area has to offer. If you're a slow traveler, then we recommend using Lake Atitlan as a base for 2-3 week, as it is also a really cool place to stay as a digital nomad!
There are so many things to do in Lake Atitlan, that you definitely need at least a few days!
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So are you ready to experience all of the fun things to do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala? This is one of the coolest places to visit in Central America, and definitely one for the bucket list.
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