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.
