What is Lake Atitlan Guatemala known for?

Lake Atitlan Guatemala is known for being one of the most beautiful volcanic lakes in the world surrounded by charming villages, rich Mayan culture, and a mysterious pull that attracts a large variety of visitors from all over the world.

Explore the beauty of Lake Atitlán and learn more about its tourist attractions, culture, and ancient Mayan myths! Read on for our guide to the adventures that await you at this amazing locale.

How to plan a trip to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala?

To plan a trip to Lake Atitlan Guatemala you need to know a bit about where you are going, when to visit, what do when you get there, and how to maximize your experience. I wrote a list of 9 things to help you plan your trip.

Where is Lago Atitlan?

Lake Atitlán is located in the Sololá Department of southwestern Guatemala, in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range directly west of Guatemala City.

What to know about Panajachel, Guatemala?

When you search for Lake Atitlán on Google you will also find many references to Panajachel, Guatemala.

Panajachel is a popular town on the northern shore of Lake Atitlán.

It is the main hub for tourists and visitors entering the area. Considered the center of the tourist trade, Panajachel serves as a base for visitors crossing the lake to the other small villages and towns.

Travel Tip: Guatemalan natives may say Lago Atitlán or Panajachel, but both refer to the same general location. 

Panajachel is 2 hours 55 minutes (115 km) from Guatemala City, and 2 hours and 23 minutes (82.1 km) from Antigua. Both routes are via the Pan-American Highway/CA-1 (CHM-11).

Typically, you will only encounter significant traffic delays in Guatemala City. The road is paved the entire way, but it winds through the mountains making the distance feel greater. Plan to take motion sickness pills along if you struggle with that.

Use the map above to see where Lake Atitlan, Antigua, and Guatemala City are located in relation to each other.

Travel Tip: Always travel to Lake Atitlan through Panajachel. Panjachel is the tourism hub and you'll save money and have a better trip. 

What is the best way to get to Panajachel, Guatemala?

The best way to get to Panajachel, Guatemala is to book a private shuttle before using a service like GuateGo. GuateGo is one of the top tourism transportation companies that operates in Guatemala and you should be able to find competitive prices and great service.

Other than taking a private shuttle you will find three main ways to travel from Antigua or Guatemala City to Panajachel.

• Public Buses (referred to as “Chicken Buses” by foreigners)
• Larger Shuttle Buses through tourism agencies
• Rental car

Because we were traveling with our girls, we booked a private shuttle from a local family who owned a laundry and tourism service on 7th avenue in Antigua. The cost was 800 Quetzales or approximately $125 (round trip) for our family of four.

Private shuttles are the most expensive, but the most comfortable method of transportation in Guatemala.

We coordinated with the driver and were dropped off at our hotel in Panajachel, and then picked up and returned to our lodging in Antigua at the agreed upon time.

Travel tip: Everyone here uses Whatsapp to communicate including the smaller toursim agencies, shuttle drivers, and hotels. Whatsapp data is included for free on all Guatemalan cell phone plans from Movistar and Tigo.

What is the weather like at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala?

The weather at Lake Atitlán Guatemala varies depends quite a bit on the month.

The best weather can be found from October through January.

These months combine for average temperatures between 68°F and 77°F with plenty of sunshine.

The rainiest months at Lake Atitlán are: June, July, and August.

No matter when you visit, it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella or rain jacket as rains are frequent but not long lasting no matter the time of year.

Three Lake Atitlan Villages Worth Visiting

• San Juan La Laguna (map here)
• San Pedro (map here)
• Santiago (map here)

These villages are best, and for some, only accessible from the lake. Because of this, boat tours are the #1 Thing To Do at Lake Atitlán.

You do not need to book your boat tour in advance. There are plenty of boats and most of the hotels will help you book a driver or tour on the day you arrive.

Travel Tip: Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday in Guatemala due to the Catholic influence. Because of this, the tour boats will not be on their normal schedule on Christmas Day. You will need to plan to stay in one of the villages if you're here on December 25, or take a chance at catching a larger public boat. 

Boats begin leaving the docks in Panajachel by 7:00-7:30 in the morning and continue throughout the day until dusk. Carry cash to pay the pilots and follow their instructions the best you can.

At certain times of the day the marine patrol will be on the docks, and your driver will want to make sure you’re wearing a life vest before you leave. Not only is this a good idea for your own safety, but it also to helps the drivers stay legal and avoid costly fines.

Travel Tip: My family and I booked a boat for the four of us from the lobby of the Posada de Los Volcanes hotel (hotel website). The staff is very friendly, know English, and was able to arrange for our pilot to meet us in the lobby at the designated time. Cost: Approximately $100 USD for the four of us on a private boat 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. 

The Perfect Lake Atitlan Day-Trip Itinerary

Approximate Time: 9:00 – 3:00 PM (6 hours)

1 Start in the morning and get a boat straight across the lake to San Juan La Laguna. Spend an hour and a half exploring the quiet and friendly little village. Visit Cafe San Juan (map here) to enjoy an espresso in a comfortable family-run coffee shop. You even can play the Marimba, Guatemala’s national instrument, as you wait for your coffee.

2 After an hour and a half, meet your boat back at the docks and climb aboard for the short hop across the bay to San Pedro. San Pedro is on the southwest shore of Lake Atitlán and has a population of 13,000 people. This village is known for it’s nightlife, Spanish language schools, and gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes. There are quite a few restaurants and coffee shops just above the docks, so this is a great spot to stop for lunch if you are hungry.

3 Your final stop will be Santiago. Upon stepping off the docks you’ll notice that the people in this town are hustlers and will try to sell you whatever they are vending. It’s a great place to buy a few souvenirs if you want some. As you walk the streets, notice that most of the older men here still wear the purple traditional Mayan clothing. It’s not common in all areas of Guatemala. Locals told me that the traditions of the Mayan culture are quickly losing popularity among the younger generations. Enjoy the history in Santiago.

Travel Tip: If you're not used to street vendors, it is easy to feel overwhelmed in places like Santiago. It's okay to simply smile and say "No Gracias" if you'd prefer to keep on walking. You're probably the only one that feels uncomfortable.

Know The History of Lake Atitlan (Before You Go)

A man by the name of Roberto Samayoa was diving one day in 1996 when he stumbled upon the ruins of old buildings and huge ceremonial stones.

His grandmother had often told stories of a sunken church in the bottom of Lake Atitlan but until this discovery those stories had just been legends. [Sarah Grainger – Reuters]

The site that Samayoa discovered has been receiving interest from archaeologists and is now a very tightly guarded secret, as to it’s location. There have been multiple altars and worship sights discovered as scientists use sonar and other technologies to uncover and make sense of the ruins.

It is believed that the lake’s rising water levels, or a catastrophic event such as an earthquake caused the island city to sink below the surface. To this day it remains hidden.

What is the Best Sunrise Location at Lake Atitlan?

The best sunrise location at Lake Atitlán is from the lake shore in Panajachel. The rustic wooden docks where the guides keep their tour boats are super easy to find and provide an amazing foreground for photographers.

Guatemala is filled with killer photography locations, but perhaps none of them quite compare to Lake Atitlan at sunrise.

To help you find exactly where these docks are, the map below shows you the location of the exact dock that I framed in the photo above. There are many similar docks along the beach though, and you will probably find an even better composition than I did.

• Get up early. This is a must for taking an amazing photo of the lake. By the time the sun peeks above the volcanoes it is already a while past sunrise and the magical light is beginning to fade.
• Be respectful! I can’t emphasize this one enough. You are a tourist, and these docks are being used by locals to make a living for their families. If a dock is in use, move on and find another one that is empty.

Best Hotel In Panajachel (with a talking parrot!)

You’ve got some activities planned but you need a place to stay. If there is availability, you should try to book a room at Posada de Los Volcanes (map here).

• Breakfast is cooked fresh and served every morning from a menu with multiple options.
• Rooms are clean and fresh!
• Shopping, coffee shops, and restaurants are on the street just outside the lobby
• The hosts give friendly advice and local tips on activities and food options
• Location is perfect. It’s just a few minute walk to the docks which will help you get those killer sunrise photos.
• And there is a talking parrot!

The hotel host is a friendly talking parrot named Paco! My girls loved talking to him in the mornings, and he made our breakfasts a lot of fun!

Tell us your favorite part of this post, or what you like most about Lake Atitlán Guatemala.