The Ultimate Guide to Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
When & Why To Go
Lake Atitlan is truly one of the most special places I have had the pleasure of visiting during my travels in Central America. Formed around 84,000 years ago after a massive volcanic eruption, there are three main volcanoes you’ll find around the lake: Volcán Atitlán, Volcán San Pedro, and Volcán Tolimán. In addition to its natural splendor, Lake Atitlán is home to a vibrant culture, primarily shaped by the indigenous Maya people, namely the Tz’utujil, Kaqchikel, and K’iche’ ethnic groups, who have thrived around the lake for centuries and continue to preserve their languages, traditions, clothing, and ways of life.
The best time of year to go to Lake Atitlan is generally November to April, which is considered the dry season there. People say it is the most lush and green in November and December, because these are the months just following the rainy season, so all the flora is in bloom, and you have the clearest days and views of the lake.
That said, I went in May, and the lake was still beautiful. Although the visibility was quite low on some days and the mountains were a bit drier, we did not get much rain, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time.
Getting Around
The main method of transportation on the lake is actually by boat. If you want to hop around from one village to another, you can also take tuktuks or a motorbike, but not all of the villages are connected easily by road. So, depending on your start and end points, it will cost you between 10 and 30 Guatemalan pesos per boat ride - and it is a lot of fun! You just arrive at the main dock of the village you are in, let the workers know where you’d like to go, and hop on the next available boat ride. It can get bumpy, so I’d recommend sitting near the front if possible.
Where to Stay (The Main Villages)
San Juan
I may be slightly biased because this was the village that I stayed in for around 1 month, but first up on the list of places to stay on Lake Atitlan is definitely San Juan.
The balcony and view from my hotel
This village has a more local vibe than some of its neighbours like San Pedro and San Marcos. You can find tons of craft places, nice hikes, and it is easily accessible from the other villages as well.
San Marcos
This is the “hippie town” of Lake Atitlan. Here you’ll find lots of yoga studios and more typical North America-style food.
Zen Eats, San Marcos
What I loved most about San Marcos was the access to the natural park, as well as one vintage store on the main road where I found so many cute finds for such great prices. There is also a vegan restaurant there called Zen Eats that had delicious food.
Jabailito
This is an extremely special place on Lake Atitlan. The town itself is tiny, but here is where you can find Casa Del Mundo - a gorgeous hotel with so many cute corners to spend a day enjoying the lake.
San Pedro
San Pedro is considered the main “party town” on the lake and is the best place to stay if you want to go out, do a boat party, or meet people in hostels.
Sababa, San Pedro
Not looking to party too much, I enjoyed going to San Pedro to get a coffee or a smoothie at Sababa Restaurant and enjoy the gorgeous views of the lake before heading back to San Juan.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is another backpackers hotspot on the lake and is nice if you’re looking to meet other people during your trip. I myself only spent one afternoon here, but they do have a beautiful walk by the lake you can find here xxx, and some affordable accomodations if that’s the vibe you’re looking for.
Panajachel
The colourful streets of Santa Catarina Polopó
This is the largest town on Lake Atitlan. I think most people come here just as a transit point, as this is where most buses coming from other parts of Guatemala, like Antigua, will drop you off, and you can get a boat ride to your destination village. Panajachel definitely has its own unique vibe, and if you’re looking for larger grocery stores, coffee shops, or shopping, this is the place to be.
Santa Catarina Polopó
This is another charming town that is known for its colorful buildings and weaving. I spent an afternoon here just walking around the narrow and leveled streets built into the mountain, and enjoying more of the lake’s views
Things To Do
Visit Each of the Village Around the Island
As described above, each of the villages on the island has its own unique vibe and activities to do. If you’re going to Lake Atitlan, you should just set aside some days to wander and explore freely, as many of the villages as possible.
In addition to the ones named and described above, I also visited the colorful village of Santa Catarina Palopó, where I walked around the leveled streets, admired the beautiful buildings, and bought a gorgeous hand-made table runner for my mom from a lovely Guatemalan woman.
Swim at Reserva Natural Cerro Tzankujil
This was one of my absolutely favourite things to do during my time at Lake Atitlan - I probably spent 4 or 5 afternoons here. To arrive, you have to take a boat to San Marcos and walk about 5 minutes to the left of the pier upon arrival. There’s a day price you have to pay upon entry of 20k local currency. There are so many wonderful spots to set yourself up for the day and swim, and there is also a 5-meter jump you can do if you’re brave enough.
My go-to routine would be to arrive in San Marcos, go into the town and grab a vegan croissant and iced latte from Circles Cafe & Bakery, then head back down to the lake and enjoy the sun for the afternoon.
Spend the Day at Casa Del Mundo in Jabailito
This was another one of my absolute favourite things to do around the lake. You must ask the boat driver to drop you off at Jabailito, then you have to walk down a path that is to the left of the village pier. Side note, you can follow this same path all the way to Santa Cruz if you want a longer hike, and it is very beautiful.
Casa Del Mundo is such a magical place to spend a day on Lake Atitlan. The hotel is beautiful and serves wonderful drinks as well as food. You do have to pay for a day pass, but it is definitely worth it, and you can also rent kayaks from there if you wish. There are so many nooks to set yourself in, be it in a hammock or at a chair right by the water, where swimming is easily accessible - definitely a must-see!
Hike Up to the Mirador San Juan
This hike is easily accessible from the town of San Juan and takes only about 30 minutes to reach the viewpoint, which is spectacular (especially at sunrise).
Although going up in the dark to catch up the sunrise over the lake was a bit scary at first being by myself, it was totally worth it as I was able to avoid the crowds and the heat of the day.
Other hikes you can do include The Indian Nose/The Mayan Face and Volcan San Pedro.
