Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Travel Guide

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Travel Guide | What To See and Do

Lake Atitlan has been at the very top of my bucket list for years, and it’s safe to say it completely surpassed my expectations. Surrounded by volcanoes, it is one of Guatemala’s most iconic destinations and for good reason. There is so much to see and do in the colourful lakeside villages, from epic sunrise hikes and kayaking adventures to exploring artisan markets and eating delicious local food.

This guide includes everything you need to know to plan your trip and make sure you make the most of your time there.

The Practicalities:

Getting There:

Lake Atitlan is about 2-3 hours from Antigua via road or 3-4 hours from Guatemala City. You can book onto shared shuttle bus transfers, a private transfer or hop in an uber depending on your budget. I would recommend a shared shuttle bus for ease and price. Most of these modes of transport will drop you in Panajachel, the gateway to Atitlan, where you will probably need to catch a boat to the village you’re staying in.

Getting Around:

It is pretty easy to get around the lake. The main mode of transport between the villages are lanchas (local public boats) which you just catch by heading to the nearest dock and asking the locals, they cost around £1-3 per journey). Within the villages, there are tuk tuks on almost every corner which you can hop in to get around.

When To Visit:

The best time is during the dry season from November to April, we went in early February and had clear blue skies all day every day.

How Long To Stay:

I would recommend 3-4 days if you want to explore the lake at a relaxed pace, otherwise you could cram in the highlights in 2 days.

Where To Stay:

There is a pretty large selection of villages you can stay in around the lake.

These are three of the most common choices:

San Pedro La Laguna. The most popular backpacker town. While it is known to be more of a party destination, I didn’t find it to be overwhelmingly so. It has everything a tourist could need from hotels and hostels through to cafes, shops and massage studios.
San Juan La Laguna. The most pretty town around the lake, but it is very small so you don’t need more than a night there or you could visit for the day.
San Marcos La Laguna. The spiritual capital of Lake Atitlan. It’s the perfect destination for yoga, massages, healing, vegan cafes and retreats.

In my opinion, I would recommend 2 nights in San Pedro and 2 nights in San Marcos.

Prices:

Lake Atitlan reflects the prices of wider Guatemala, which are much more affordable than North American or European destinations. You can find low cost food, accommodation and transportation.

Quick Tips:

Stay safe by avoiding travelling alone at night and sticking to the main tourist areas. Make sure you pack multiple warm layers for the mornings and evenings as it is super chilly due to the altitude. Always carry cash, ideally in smaller notes.

What To See & Do At Lake Atitlan

Hike Up Indian Nose For Sunrise

This is the most iconic trail on the shores of Lake Atitlan and a personal highlight of my time there. I recommend booking a local guide who can pick you up bright and early and take you up a short and steep route which rewards you with some of the best views over the region. You will literally be above the clouds watching volcanoes erupting fresh lava as the sun rises, which is pretty incredible. Just make sure you pack lots of layers including hats and gloves, as it’s freezing up there!

Go Swimming

Despite Lake Atitlan being a beautiful shade of blue, it isn’t recommended that you swim just anywhere in its waters due to risks of pollution from nearby towns. In particular, swimming from San Pedro is not recommended.

Instead go for a dip in one of these locations:

Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve. A small but perfectly formed swim spot just outside San Marcos known for cliff jumping, clear deep water and rocky sunbathing spots.
Santa Cruz La Laguna. A quiet village with clear water and stunning volcano views.
Playa La Finca. A remote black sand beach between San Pedro and Santiago with clean water and gorgeous views.

Hike San Pedro Volcano

If you fancy a challenge, hike to the summit of Volcan San Pedro. It is a seriously spicy climb taking around 4-6 hours (return) with over 1000m of elevation, but the views at the top are absolutely incredible. I highly recommend starting early to avoid the heat of the day, wearing proper hiking gear and hiring a local guide for safety.

Give Watersports A Go

Most villages will have plenty of watersports equipment available to rent for affordable prices. The most popular activities are paddle boarding and kayaking, which you can do to explore the lake at your own pace. I also spotted jet-skis on multiple occasions which looked like so much fun. I would recommend doing any of these activities in the morning when the water is generally calmer and easier to navigate, it can get choppier in the afternoons.

Explore The Lakeside Towns

There are 11 main towns dotted around Lake Atitlan, but you don’t need to visit them all!

These would be my higher priority choices:

San Pedro De Laguna. In my opinion, this is more of a village to stay in than one to take a day trip to. It’s full of cafes, restaurants and just feels super social so it’s a great place to meet other travellers.
San Juan La Laguna. One of my favourites! A colourful more traditional town known for art galleries, murals, coffee experiences, chocolate workshops and women run textile cooperatives. It’s the perfect place to buy from local artisans and pick up gifts. I recommend Nativo for delicious brunch and coffee.
San Marcos La Laguna. The wellness hub of the lake. There’s plenty of cafes to explore, massage parlours to visit and workshops you can get involved with. Try a morning yoga class at the iconic Eagles Nest and drink some locally sourced cacao. I highly recommend grabbing a sandwich to go from Circles Bakery and heading to Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve for an afternoon of cliff jumping and sunbathing. You can also walk alongside the water to neighbouring Tzununa which is equally as spiritual and worth a wander.
Santa Cruz La Laguna. A peaceful and scenic town with incredible volcano views. If you want to escape the crowds then this is a great spot for swimming, kayaking and relaxing.

Book Onto a Workshop

There are a whole host of incredible workshops and classes you can book into around Lake Atitlan where you can try new cultural, artistic and wellness experiences.

My top recommendations would be:

A weaving workshop, art class or chocolate workshop in San Juan La Laguna.

Coffee tours at Ija’tz Cooperative.

Yoga and meditation classes in San Marcos La Laguna.

Spanish lessons and Guatemalan cooking classes in San Pedro La Laguna.

Traditional Mayan ceremonies at the sacred caves in Panajachel.

Temazcal sauna rituals at Earth Lodge.

If you want to be a little more experimental, there are a huge range of more adventurous wellness workshops available in San Marcos such as ecstatic dance sessions and guided plant medicine journeys.

Safe travels,

Zanna x