Time: 1 hour, out-and-back. Get a hotel right on the lakefront and youll get great views of all three volcanoes! Most tours visit Panajachel, or Pana for short. being the gateway to Lake Atitlan, and Calle Santender the main drag in Pana. They are Panajachel, San Pedro, San Marcos, Santa Cruz, andJaibalito. Were always looking for new paid writers to contribute to Atitlan Living. Everyone dresses pretty casually in Lake Atitlan (sundresses, bike shorts, tee shirts, etc), but I say go for bright, happy colors! La Calle de los Sombreros (5ta Avenida): Another really pretty street with lots of tiendas and tons of colorful murals. Im sharing the most popular villages in Lake Atitlan in this crazy comprehensive guide, plus some others not as well-known to visitors! The exploration of a submerged archaeological site of a complex Mayan city by experts in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. A green oasis in the middle of the hectic town of San Pedro with benches to rest on, some cute photo spots, and a small white Catholic church. While most of the towns in Lake Atitlan are small (meaning you can easily get everywhere on foot), you can usually find tuk-tuks on the streets. The most popular tourist villages in Lake Atitlan are Panajachel, San Marcos, San Pedro La Laguna, and San Juan La Laguna. (take a cooking class, learn about local handicrafts, and relax with a steam bath in a traditional adobe temazcal), and just take in the spectacular volcano views. I took one-on-one private classes for 5 hours/day for US 200 per week. The most picturesque coffee shop youll find in this Lake Atitlan town, sitting right on the water with great views of the lake and a bunch of cute photo spots. A small museum and great for those interested in civilization and geological history. If youre taking a day trip to Lake Atitlan from Antigua or Guatemala City, youll most likely be visiting Pana. San Marcos is known for its wellness offerings. : Traveling with a few friends and want to be extra comfy and have max flexibility (bathroom break, anyone)? 10. Lake Atitlan, located in the heart of the Guatemala Highlands, is the deepest lake in Central America. We backpacked Taiw, As a digital nomad & travel blogger, Im always, awesome things to do in San Pedro La Laguna, Visiting San Juan Chamula Church of Syncretism & Sacrifice in Chiapas, Mexico. Lots of coffee shops, restaurants, tourists, and fun. Continued volcanic activity formed the three volcanoes that today surround the lake: Tolimn (3,158m/10,361 ft), Atitln (3,557m/11,670 ft), and San Pedro (3,020m/9,908 ft). I highly encourage you to buy from this shop since its a womens cooperative where 80% of sales go directly to the local artisans. There is a bit of something for everyone! As a result, the city is a serious party town. Because of that, I only visited the town of Panajachel (the main tourist town), and missed out on all the other best towns in Lake Atitlan! Lake Atitln was formed in the crater of a volcano that exploded in a massive eruption 84,000 years ago. There are loads of hostels, hotels, clubs, and bars along the lagoon. Around the lake, there are multiple towns and communities where travelers can stay, visit and explore. Dont miss it. Take a tuk-tuk here, and youll find one of most beautiful reserves in all of Guatemala. ATV sunset tour: An awesome way to go exploring around Lake Atitlan, this sunset ATV adventure tour takes you up into the mountains around the lake. Plus, you can benefit from the expertise and knowledge of a local guide, and really make the most of your day. There aretwo hotels,one hostel, and onelake side club with hot tub and infinity pool. The boats dont typically stop here, and youll need to attempt to flag them down (which can be way harder than it seems the lake is huge!). If youve got some time during your visit, hit up one or two of these. Since I was in a time crunch, I spent a single morning wandering its narrow streets and colorful alleyways seeking out stunning art pieces. Read Next The Ultimate Guide to Santa Catarina Palopo! Panajachel or Pana as the locals and expats call it is one of the largest towns along the lake. I doubt there are many other places in the world where youd find this kind of value as this was themost expensiveoption. First, a major road connects Pana with the city of Solola and further to the outside world. I heard SUCH good things about it and kinda wanna stay here on my next trip to Lake Atitlan. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! While theres honestly not a ton to do here, its perfect for a lazy afternoon of lake viewing, SUPing/kayaking, and taking in the stunning scenery. Taking a private boat is always an option, albeit way more pricey (ask your hotel to call one for you). Its quiet and peaceful, and offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. I told you theres so much dramatic natural beauty here! After completing a few days in Semuc, I headed towards Panajachel for some downtime by the lake. The town was fun to explore for a few hours though. If youre staying at a hotel without a public dock (there are many, many private docks), itll be harder to use these public boats. Plus, its a great place to escape the crowds and experience a more traditional way of life in the Mayan highlands. Lake Atitlan is a large inland lake located in Guatemala's southwest highlands. Start in Pana and transfer to the Sacred Caves of Lake Atitlan where youll experience an ancient Mayan custom at a fire cleansing and protection ceremony. Join a yoga class or retreat at one of the many yoga centers in the village and embrace the peaceful and rejuvenating energy of the area. The town is known for its many Spanish language schools, Los Termales (heated thermal pools overlooking the lake you can soak in), and La Sababa Resort (super fun and where Id stay in San Pedro). Thankfully, there is more than 1 town with the creature comforts we're used to. Such a unique experience and something I definitely want to do on my next visit. For starters, the paths are not always the safest, and unless youre with an experienced local who knows exactly where to go, its not the smartest choice. Las Cristalinas is the go-to spot for beach lovers. Some tours even make a. , one of the largest markets in Central America. The atmosphere, energy, expat presence, Maya clothing pattern and even language varies, and sometimes significantly so. But I knew that it required much more time to truly appreciate the varying landscape and activities offered by the 11 villages. Armed robberies have occurred. You can always plan for longer next time. Here are some of my top tips to stay safe and have fun in Guatemala. Youll find the clearest, sunniest days from January through March. My favorite street in all of San Juan La Laguna probably because its full of color and highly instagrammable, haha! Split between a few people the costs really werent too terrible at all, but would be a bit much for a solo traveler. That said, if you get lonely or want to grab a burger, the option is there. I first visited Lake Atitlan a number of years ago, but only had one day to explore the area. San Marcos is a hub for yoga and meditation enthusiasts. For example, a super short ride from San Juan San Pedro will cost 5-10Q (a 5 minute ride), whereas a longer ride across the lake from say Panajachel to San Pedro (about 45 minutes) will cost significantly more at around 25-35Q. spiritual and healing centers, plant-based food, and overall hippie haven vibes. Theres loads of hotel options here, with, being one of the best hostels (my friend stayed there so of course I had to peek in), and. Without the bars and shops, it has a much more relaxed vibe than San Pedro and Panajachel. It's the most recognizable church of all the towns around the lake. They pepper the craters cliffs and hide in majestic fjord like valleys. They also offer cheaper rates for language-learners who only want to do four hours per day, those willing to partner up with another student, or those who dont want to do a homestay. This resort town by the lakeshore is really beautiful. While its not the cheapest option around, it is well worth the cost for the rooms and views. Its primarily known for its traditional pottery, which has been produced in the area for centuries and centuries! Heading into the Fourth of July weekend, there are 9 Michigan beaches closed or under contamination advisories for water quality that's unacceptable or questionable for human contact. During the day, its most popular street is staffed with merchants selling clothes, jewelry, and other souvenirs. If you want a quieter atmosphere but still wanna be near the business of San Pedro, a stay in San Juans a great option! The owner of my hotel arranged transfers and other tours. They tend to run like this: Panajachel Santa Cruz Jaibalito Tzununa San Marcos San Juan San Pedro, and vice versa. A few cute photo spots with views of the lake, town of San Pedro, and volcanoes behind you (currently a fish and butterfly wings). If youre looking for personalized transport, accommodations, tours, or just need help moving to Lake Atitlan, please send us a message through our Contact Form or email us at Team@AtitlanLiving.com. Public boats follow a schedule of some sorts, stopping at the public docks at the different Lake Atitlan towns. San Marcos offers a delightful array of vegan food options for plant-based enthusiasts, so why not join in for the day?! I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. I first visited Lake Atitlan a number of years ago, but only had one day to explore the area. chocolate demonstration, and sip on some hot (or iced) chocolate. : This village is way more peaceful, and doesnt really see many tourists since theres honestly not tons to do here. Hiking Volcan San Pedro is a rewarding experience and one of the best things to do in Guatemala! Thrill-seekers will love soaring above the crystal-clear waters, lush green mountains, and the majestic volcanoes. Yep! Its a really small town, with not a huge amount to do other than kick back with a cold cerveza and watch the lake go by and thats exactly why so many people love it. Note youll need to pay about Q30 as a foreign national to enter. ), so make sure to schedule your flight early on in your trip just in case it needs to be rescheduled. Link Copied! Once you arrive in the town of Panajachel (by either shared tourist shuttle or private transfer), you can take a public lancha (small boat) or private water taxi to the other towns around the lake, like San Pedro La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan, or Santa Cruz La Laguna. Expect the sun to be shining, the lake to be mostly calm (although it typically gets pretty choppy later in the day), and the flowers to be in bloom. Umbrella street! Note that the street goes up and up and up expect your legs to get a workout. Most visitors dont end up visiting these villages in Lake Atitlan, meaning they feel much more authentic and are way less crowded! Go shopping: Go shopping here in Pana its a well-known fact that Panajachel has the best selection and prices in Guatemala. The fact that its surrounded by THREE towering volcanoes Volcan San Pedro, Volcan Toliman, and Volcan Atitlan.
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