LAKE ATITLAN

Located a few hours from Guatemala City is Lake Atitlan, a mysterious lake surrounded by volcanoes and mountains. Its depth is STILL unknown to this day. Imagine that in this day and age? You can scuba dive in the lake and find an underground city but somehow it’s depth in the center remains a mystery. It’s surrounds are filled with beautiful mountain sides and different towns to explore, each offering its own uniqueness. Some might think the lake itself is a massive crater…

We stayed here a total of 2 days, 3 nights and spent most of our time hiking volcanoes, kayaking, swimming, and exploring the towns around the lake. You can easily spend a week here exploring, meeting travelers, and doing tons of activities. The views are pretty incredible and the people humble and laid back. A destination I wouldn’t miss if visiting Guatemala.

Getting Here

Unfortunately there is no easy way to travel here. The best and pretty much only way is via car or shuttle and the roads are quite windy and up the mountain ranges so expect a full day of travel. We booked a shared shuttle from Guatemala the day before so there isn’t much of an issue booking with short notice. We got picked up early in the AM from our hotel and after picking up everyone else and a few pit stops later we arrive in Lake Atitlan late afternoon.

But don’t let that deter you from the journey. You can expect beautiful mountainous scenery on your ride and gives you a great opportunity to see the countryside along the way. Also don’t miss the view on the way into Lake Atitlan. It is pretty spectacular.

  • Cost for shared shuttle: 190 Quetzal ($25 USD)

Location

There are many different towns you can stay in around the lake so I definitely recommend doing your research before you arrive. We stayed in the town of Panajachel which is the main hub for arrivals and departures for majority of transportation in the area and it didn’t offer much in comparison to the other towns we visited. It was great to be in close proximity to the main road in and out, however we spent every day catching a boat to the other towns which offered more activities and experiences with the locals. Recommendation is to do your research to decide.

Accommodation: Dreamboat Hostel

There aren’t too many budget places to choose from in this part of town but the hostel checked off a lot of boxes for us and was overall a nice stay. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and the location was easy walking distance to restaurants and the main boat harbor. There was a full kitchen for you to use and there were activities just about every night. Tours and shuttles could be booked directly with them as well and offered comparable prices. If you decide to stay in Panajachel this isn’t a bad place to stay!

  • Cost per night: $15 USD

Activities

Kayak Around the Lake

One of the best ways to explore the lake while enjoying the water is via kayak. We took a boat over to San Pedro and rented kayaks right by the port. The lake is massive so you won’t be able to cover too much ground but you can explore other areas near by offering stunning views of the cliffs and volcanoes. You can easily kayak to San Juan (the weave making village), a beach, and a pretty sweet cliff jumping spot. I recommend going in the morning to avoid the afternoon winds. It was quite the scene watching people try to tackle the winds, let’s just say you won’t get too far!

  • Cost per hour: 30 Quetzal ($4 USD)
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Hike Volcano San Pedro

Depending on the time of year there are certain volcanoes and trials you can hike. Volcano San Pedro was a doable option for us so we got an early morning start to avoid afternoon rain showers since we went during the rainy season. We got a boat from Panajachel and when we arrived at the San Pedro port got a tuk tuk to the top of the mountain where you start the trek up the volcano. You do have to pay to climb the volcano but it comes with a guide who will lead you to the top. I’d say the guide isn’t necessary as the trail is well paved but it comes with the entry fee so no loss to you.

The main reason we wanted to climb the volcano was to see the spectacular view of the lake from the top. We had heard some pretty great things so we were very much looking forward to the view. Unfortunately since we went during the rainy season, the weather was pretty unpredictable. We didn’t hit any rain however half way up the hike a big cloud hovered over the top and we could barely see in front of us. Of course we finished the hike but didn’t get much of a view from the top, but when can you say you hiked a volcano? (Total hike time: 5 hours)

  • Cost: 100 Quetzal

Explore the Different Towns Around the Lake

There are many different towns to visit around the lake, all offering different activities and interests and all easily accessible via boat. The main towns are San Pedro, San Juan, and San Marcos.

San Pedro is by far the most popular, especially for the younger crowd as it offers vibrant restaurants and bars and Spanish schools for travelers. The town is located at the base of San Pedro Volcano and offers stunning views of the lake from almost every angle.

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San Juan is home to the weave making village where you can see how local people make garments. This town is pretty small and much quieter and laid back compared to San Pedro.

San Marcos is the hippie village where you can get in touch with your chi. Here you can participate in yoga and meditation sessions, get your palms read, and be one with nature.

  • Cost for each boat ride: up to 25 Quetzal ($3 USD)

Food & Dining

El Bistro

Located just steps from our hostel in Panajachel was a cute little Italian spot. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Italian in Guatemala but I will have to say they did a pretty nice job. They also have live music in the evening which offers a great ambiance.

Dolphin Cafe

We really enjoyed this place in San Pedro, not just for its absolutely killer lake views but the food was awesome as well. We came here every day for lunch and it didn’t disappoint.

Restaurante Hana

If you are looking for some sushi in your life then I recommend this spot in Panajachel. They offered a nice variety of dishes and was a great change of pace from rice and beans! The decor and ambiance here was very romantic as well.

Sababa Restaurant

You will see a lot of Israeli influence all around the lake so lots of restaurants and community centers, especially in San Pedro. We didn’t get a chance to try the food but I couldn’t help but go inside for the cute decor and great view. The perfect spot for a drink and a chat.

Circles Cafe & Bakery

Located in the hippie town of San Marcos, this spot offers the ultimate chill vibes with an outdoor lounging area filled with hanging vines, stray dogs cuddling up with tourists, and random card readers available for a reading if you wish.