The Best Lake Atitlan Towns – Complete Review

Lake Atitlan Guatemala

Intro to Lake Atitlan

The Lake Atitlan towns all have their own individual charm and personality.  As a result, I would recommend visiting as many as possible depending on your timeframe.  There is 12 towns in total surrounding the lake.  

Lake Atitlan has been described as the most beautiful lake in the world, and I won’t argue, it’s a magical destination.  Whichever of the Lake Atitlan towns you are visiting you will enjoy gorgeous views.  The lake is surrounded by steep mountain sides and three volcanoes – Atitlan, San Pedro and Toliman.  

Rise early in the morning to see the lake shrouded in cloud.  As the sun rises the clouds clear, the lake emerges from beneath and the temperature starts to increase.  

The lake was created over 84,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption.   It is the deepest lake in Central America, 340 metres at its deepest.

Is Lake Atitlan Safe?

The Lake Atitlan towns are inhabited by indigenous Mayan communities, predominantly Tz’utujil and Kaqchikel.  You will witness Mayan women wearing their colourful traditional clothes.   Local women continue washing their laundry in the lake as they have done for generations.  

In my experience the Mayans are very friendly kind people.  Smile and say hello and it will always be returned.  I felt very safe in Lake Atitlan and never met anyone who had any problems.

Lake Atitlan is one of the safest places in Guatemala but always use common sense.  

Is Lake Atitlan Cheap?

Guatemala is a cheap destination when compared to places like Europe and the USA.  Accommodation is very affordable and dorm rooms are available in most places for under $15.

Lake Atitlan is no different, San Pedro La Laguna has the most budget options available and is known as the backpacker town.

San Marcos and Panajachel also have a variety of cheaper options.  Other towns don’t have hostels, but its still possible to get good value accommodation, albeit a bit more expensive.  

Transport is very cheap; you will rarely need to use a tuk-tuk within a town as they are small and walkable.  Some exceptions may be going to Santa Cruz.  There is a steep road to the town so a tuk-tuk may be a good idea.

In Lake Atitlan you will find street food in every town and therefore very cheap.  I encourage you to try street food, including fresh fruit that is often for sale and a great healthy snack.

To summarise, Lake Atitlan is a cheap destination to travel.

The weather in Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan Weather

Lake Atitlan is in the Guatemalan highlands and as a result the weather here is cooler than elsewhere in the country.  For me, the weather is almost perfect, with highs of about 25c and lows of 15c.  November to April, the dry season, is the best time of year to visit.

How to get to Lake Atitlan

Chicken Bus Cover

If you are coming from elsewhere in Guatemala, it is easy to find a shuttle service to either Panajachel (Pana) or San Pedro.  Two of the most popular Lake Atitlan towns to visit, both are connected via road with other cities in Guatemala.  

If you plan to visit another one of the towns on the lake, you will need to take a boat from Pana or San Pedro.

If you are arriving from Antigua, don’t miss out on the ultimate chicken bus experience – Chicken Bus from Lake Atitlan to Antigua – How To Guide

How to travel between Lake Atitlan Towns

Lake Atitlan Towns Travel

Once you have arrived in one of the Lake Atitlan towns the quickest and best option to visit another town is by boat (Lancha).  

Depending on the distance of your journey the cost of a ride should be between Q5 to Q25 max.  The longest journey I took was from Panajachel to San Pedro which cost Q25. The shortest journey was San Pedro to San Juan, costing just Q5.  You can only pay with cash, no cards are accepted.  

Ask about the cost of the journey before you get on the boat and be aware that you pay when you get off.  There is no time schedule, once the boat is full it will depart.  I never had to wait more than 10 minutes for departure.  

The last boats leave each town usually no later than 6.30pm every evening.  As a result, make sure you don’t miss the last boat and get stranded in a different village.  If you do, you will need to hire an expensive private taxi boat to get home.

Where is the best place to stay in Lake Atitlan?

Love San Pedro

I would recommend San Pedro as one of the best Lake Atitlan towns to stay.  It’s big enough to spend a few days and offers a good variety of places to eat and drink.  While there, experience traditional Mayan culture and organise activities with many travel agencies based in town.

How to Save Money Booking Accommodation

I always use booking.com and Hostelworld to search for and book accommodation.  In my experience, I have found that they constantly offer the best prices when compared to other sites.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended.  It comes at no cost to you.  Thank You for your support

Booking.com

How long should you spend in Lake Atitlan?

Lake Atitlan Towns

Lake Atitlan isn’t a single location, as mentioned, it is surrounded by many different and interesting towns.  Therefore, I would recommend staying at least a week here to experience a few different towns and ultimately enjoy the beautiful tranquil setting.  

It’s easy to base yourself in one town and then take the boats to neighbouring towns for multiple day trips.

Learning Spanish in Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan Spanish School

Guatemala is one of the best places in Central or South America to learn Spanish.  Their accent is neutral and they tend to naturally speak slowly.  

Popular places to learn Spanish in Guatemala is Lake Atitlan, Antigua, and Quetzaltenango (Xela).  I chose to learn in Lake Atitlan as the area offers more things to do outside of class.  

Learning Spanish in Lake Atitlan is very cheap and one of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan.  I paid £170 per week for 20 hours private tuition, accommodation (private room) and 3 meals per day.  I studied with Lake Atitlan Spanish School and highly recommend.  

Classes are held in gardens overlooking the lake and it’s also a great place to meet fellow travellers.  The school puts on events most days such as local cooking, jewellery making, history lessons etc.

How to keep costs low in Lake Atitlan

Living cheap in Atitlan

Lake Atitlan has many international restaurants that can be more expensive than you think.  Alternatively, it can be a cheap destination to visit in Guatemala if you know where to go.  

In towns such as Pana and San Pedro there is a multitude of street food and cheap tasty restaurants to eat at.  You can find taco’s or something similar for Q15.

If you are heading to the San Marcos to swim, or sitting on the river banks, pick up a Q5 can of Sol Beer from any of the tienda’s.  My favourite activity was to grab a couple of Sols and study Spanish or read a book on the shore line. 

Guide to the different Lake Atitlan Towns

San Pedro La Laguna

Lake Atitlan Towns San Pedro (1)

I will start with San Pedro as this is my favourite town on the lake and where I spent most of my time.  

San Pedro is the most popular of the Lake Atitlan towns for backpackers and for good reason.   There are numerous bars, restaurants and cafes and the town is large enough to spend a few days exploring.  Moreover, cheaper hostels are found here more than other towns.   Unfortunately I can’t recommend any hostels as I stayed with a local family via the Spanish School.  

The main street in San Pedro runs adjacent to the lake shore providing many opportunities to eat and drink with fabulous views of the lake.  This is where most of the hotels, hostels and restaurants can be found.

As you walk the streets, be aware of the seemingly never-ending stream of tuk tuk’s and motorcycles that go up and down the narrow streets.  Always be aware of what is behind you and stick to the sides of the streets to avoid any toes getting run over!  

Muelle (Pier) San Pedro is the main pier in town where you can take a boat to most of the other towns.  The exception is Santiago, where you must go to a different pier on the other side of town (Embarcadero para Atitlan).

Best things to do in Lake Atitlan: San Pedro

Go Walkabout in town

Best things to do in San Pedro

One of my favourite things to do in any new place is walk around and explore.  Not all the streets in Lake Atitlán are named so I have mentioned landmarks to follow on google maps.  

I have mentioned the main street that runs adjacent to the lake, well that is just the touristy part of town.  To really experience San Pedro, you need to walk a little further.  Therefore, go for a walk in the centre of town towards Parque Puerta Hermosa.  

Firstly, walk up the steep hill opposite the Alegre Pub, and then head in the direction towards the Parque Purta Hermosa.  Once you leave the main street next to the lake shore the town feels a lot more local with fewer tourists.  After arriving at the Park and take time out to relax and escape the traffic noise.  

Next to the Parque, buy delicious fresh fruit at the local market before midday every day.  You can purchase whole fruits as you would expect, or pre-chopped such as melon, mango, and watermelon for only Q5 a bag.  This area of town gives a great insight into how the locals live their daily lives.  

After the market, head towards El Barrio bar.  The streets in this part of town are narrow and winding (only motorcycles can travel here).  As you wander you will discover many small cafes and restaurants along with way worth visiting.  

Throughout the walk, keep an eye out for amazing street art on buildings and walls, they often have a story to tell about the Mayan culture and beliefs.

Sunrise hike to Indian Nose

One of the best activities to do from San Pedro is the sunrise Indian Nose hike. This is known locally as Rostro Maya Nariz del Indio.  If you view the mountain from the lake, the ridge resembles a head on its side with a nose poking into the sky, hence the name.  If you do one activity in Lake Atitlan, I recommend this one.  

The hike starts with a 25-minute drive to the beginning of the hike, departing at 4am.  The hike is fairly easy, about 30-40 minutes only, and you hike to the summit ahead of sunrise in the dark.  

As the light slowly emerges from behind the mountains and volcanoes experience beautiful views of the lake.  Enjoy 360 views of the towns, and the surrounding volcanoes.  The different shades of yellow and orange are amazing.  

There are many travel agencies in San Pedro offering this tour, and it should cost about Q125.

Workshops - Learn about Cocoa, Coffee, and textiles

There are several cooperatives that run workshops about some famous Guatemalan traditions.  As a result, you will find these in most of the Lake Atitlan towns.   Choose between a Cocoa, Coffee, or textiles workshop, or do them all!  

The Cocoa workshop walks you through the process from cocoa bean to chocolate using the traditional methods still used today.  

The Textile workshops show you the traditional weaving and dye methods, it’s amazing how much work goes into just one jumper or article of clothing.  

A coffee tour will take you out of town to a local farm on the hillsides.  Learn about the harvesting, roasting and production process.  Don’t leave without trying some fresh local coffee.

Relax at Los Termales Thermal baths

For a relaxing afternoon or evening book some time at Los Termales.  They provide heated hot tubs, so you need to book in advance to give them time to prepare the pool for you.  

You can stay for as long as you want.   The price is only Q50 per person if there is 2 or more people.  I advise taking a few beers or bottle of wine with you to enjoy the views over the lake.

Drink coffee at Café Cristalinás

My Spanish teacher recommended this place to me, and this was the best place in town for coffee and cake.  Café Cristalinás is found halfway up the steep street opposite the main pier in town.  You can book a coffee tour here too, which lasts for 2-3 hours.

Go Kayaking on Lake Atitlan

There are a few options in San Pedro where you can rent kayaks for a few hours.  Kayaking is a great activity to do early in the morning when the waters are calm.  In the afternoons, the water gets choppier and it’s not as fun.  The cost to rent kayaks should be no more than Q20 per hour and you can hire single or double kayaks.

San Juan La Laguna

Lake Atitlan Towns San Juan

The small town of San Juan is by far the most photogenic of the Lake Atitlan Towns.  Just west of San Pedro, you can take a tuk tuk, walk, or take a boat from San Pedro.  A boat or Tuk Tuk should cost Q5 as it’s very close.  

I preferred to walk from San Pedro to enjoy a great aerial view along the ridge between towns.  The walk takes about 40 minutes, and you climb up a hill first before going down again into the town.  You can mix it up and take a boat back as I did.

Best things to do in Lake Atitlan: San Juan La Laguna

Marvel at the colours, art, and crafts

San Juan Art

This town is most famous for its artisan textile shops and galleries.  I love the main street, full of colour and decoration.  This is the perfect town to visit if you want to buy some artwork, clothing, or souvenirs.

Hike to the Kaqasiiwaan Viewpoint

Take a short tuk tuk ride from the centre of town to the foot of the hill.  Once at the top, there is a large colourful deck with fabulous 360 views of the lake and volcano cones in the distance.  The hike is easy and takes about 20 minutes.

San Marcos La Laguna

Lake Atitlan Towns San Marcos

Directly across the lake from San Pedro you will find San Marcos.  The Lake Atitlan town of San Marcos is known as a hippie town and as soon as you get here you will understand why.  A magnet for foreign hippies, you’ll find many yoga workshops, vegan cafes, and spiritual healing workshops here.

Best things to do in Lake Atitlan: San Marcos

Go Swimming in Cerro Tzankuji Nature Reserve

The town itself is very small and can be explored in less than an hour to be honest.  For me, the only reason to visit San Marcos is the Cerro Tzankuji Nature Reserve.  You must pay a small entrance fee (Q10) to enter but it’s well worth it.  

The nature reserve has a mix of stone and wooden footpaths built into the cliff side to walk around the edge of the lake.  This is the best place to swim in Lake Atitlán as the waters here are cleaner than everywhere else.  

San Pedro has spectacular views over the lake and from here you can see all three volcanoes in the distance.  Find a space to sunbathe on the rocks or for the more adventurous, jump off the 8m platform that juts out over the lake.

Santa Cruz La Laguna

Lake Atitlan Towns Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a very small town on the north of the lake.  From the pier, the town is a steep 25-minute walk up hill.  There is always tuk tuks waiting to take you to the top, unless you’re feeling very fit, I advise taking the tuk tuk.  

The town is very local, and there is not many ‘attractions’ as such to see and things to do.  This is exactly what makes this town unique and interesting.  My favourite activity was just walking among the narrow streets and appreciating the elevated views across the lake.  There is always young kids running around, so don’t be shy to say hello.  

Before you head back down, pay a visit to Café Sabor Cruceno for good food and more amazing views.

Kayaking and SUPing at Free Cerveza Hostel

Free Cerveza Hostel

I stayed at Free Cerveza in Santa Cruz which is a fancy hostel/camp site on the riverbank.  Choose to stay in either big tee pee style tents or flash wooden huts.  

There is a bar and nightly activities to keep you entertained and meet new friends.  The best part about staying here is access to free Stand-Up-Paddle boards and kayaks.  Use these to get out and about and enjoy Lake Atitlan.  I advise to go in the mornings when the water is calm as the waves do pick up a little in the afternoon.

Panajachel

The main gateway to Lake Atitlan is the town of Panajachel (Pana for short).  This is one of the largest Lake Atitlan towns and is the only place that has local chicken buses.  As a result, Pana is the most well-connected town to other parts of Guatemala.  

The main street running through Pana in Calle Santander and has plenty of options for international restaurants, street food and souvenir shopping.

Best things to do in Lake Atitlan: Panajachel

Walk the lakeside promenade

Pana Promenade

The highlight of the town for me was to walk along the lakeside promenade.  There are numerous vendors selling food and drink along the path, and some of the best views of the lake and volcanoes is here in Pana.   

Apart from this, Pana didn’t really stand out for me.   It was the dirtiest place on the lake and I would only stay here for onward transportation reasons.

Santa Catarina Palopo

Lake Atitlan Towns Santa Catarina

The next town, just 2.5km along from Pana is Santa Catarina, a small, very local town.  There are not many hotels here and it’s best to visit for a morning or afternoon.  This Lake Atitlán town has become more popular since an initiative a few years ago to paint all the buildings in bright vibrant colours.  

There is a museum and gallery here, but my favourite activity was hiking up the hillside through the steep narrow streets and colourful homes to get ever improving views of the lake below.

Travelling to Santa Catarina from Panajachel

Travelling to Santa Catarina

You can travel to Santa Catarina by road from Panajachel which is often quicker as there is not many boats making this journey.  

To travel to Santa Catarina, you must jump in the back of a pickup truck at the side of the road in Pana.   Head to El Amate street which is the main road that goes to Santa Catarina.  Look for Tienda San Vicente and a little side road – this is where the pick-up trucks wait (see picture below – red truck).  When full, they will leave.  

The cost of the journey is Q10.  You will get dropped off in the main square, and this is also where you need to go for the return journey.

Truck to Santa Catarina

Santiago

This is the largest and most authentic town on the Lake (apparently).  As soon as I exited the pier at Santiago I was harassed by multiple men to take a walking or tuk tuk tour.  This is the only place in Guatemala this kind of thing happened, so immediately my back was up as they don’t give you time to think or breathe.  

I advise to walk past them as politely and quickly as possible unless you really want their help.  If you do, don’t accept the first price they offer as they will always negotiate.

Best things to do in Lake Atitlan: Santiago

Walk to the Mirador for exceptional views

Walk from the piers right through town and you will eventually come to the mirador in Santiago (see link for map).  The walk takes about 30 minutes, or you can ask a tuk tuk to drive you.  

The views from the top of the hill are beautiful, some of my favourite in Lake Atitlan.  If you do one thing in Santiago, do this, it’s unique to Santiago and provides the opportunity to view the lake from another perspective.

Visit the largest market in Lake Atitlán

Near to the piers is a large covered market selling all sorts of souvenirs, clothes, food, and musical instruments.  There are also a few places to eat and drink, the further away you walk from the piers, usually the prices get cheaper.

Watch out for scams!

There are a few different piers in Santiago, so I needed to find out which pier went back to San Pedro.  As soon as I got near to the piers, I had numerous people offering help, so I told them where I was going.  

That was a mistake, as they then harassed me for money and tried to make me pay them for the boat trip.  As I’d already been on the lake a few weeks I knew to always pay for the boat trip at the end when you get off.  

For those new to the lake, don’t fall for this scam, only pay the driver once you are on the boat.

FAQs about Lake Atitlan

Q. What are the 12 towns around Lake Atitlan:

  1. Panajachel
  2. Jaibalito
  3. Santa Cruz La Laguna
  4. San Pedro La Laguna
  5. San Marcos La Laguna
  6. Santiago Atitlan
  7. San Juan La Laguna
  8. Santa Catarina Polopo
  9. San Lucas Toliman
  10. San Pablo La Laguna
  11. San Antonio Polopo
  12. Santa Clara La Laguna

Q. What is the largest town in Lake Atitlan?

Santiago is the largest town in Lake Atitlan, with a population of about 50,000

Q. Can you swim in Lake Atitlan?

You can swim in Lake Atitlan but not everywhere.  In many towns around the lake you will see women washing their clothes in the lake, using hard boards to scrub them clean as they have done for many years.  This underlines how poor Guatemala still is.   A washing machine is a luxury that many cannot afford.

2 thoughts on “The Best Lake Atitlan Towns – Complete Review”

  1. love your site Wes!

    me/wife two sons (20 and 18) planning a short trip to the area around Christmas. maybe 2 days in Antigua and 3 out on Lake Attilan. Never been. Want to try something different than our usual Carribean “beach focused” trips. Attracted by the history and architecture. The vistas out in the lake area, the food, local art. Good concentration of bars and food in city. i was a chef for years. Feels kind of like Antigua is still maybe off the radar for most of us gringos. The lake also has an amazing feel to it – I’m not super religious but enjoy evocative spiritual sites if that makes sense

    Question – I want to pick a town along the lake that has good food. ideally a “cuter” one (wife’s words🥸). not as hectic I think is what she means. i know these are all working towns – not living museums😃. ideally quality, variety food options. couple bars to walk to. good views (prob not hard to find). but with hotel/inn/resort options within walk to town and with a pool.

    San Pedro sounds like the go-to for bars. But perhaps a lot of backpacking kids? Can’t tell. That’s sorta my “read” on it. And thus maybe food more targeted to that set. my teens may like access to other 20 something’s. Pana sounds like it has the most food options including some fancier options. but maybe a little bigger more work-a-day town. maybe a little soul-less. that might not be fair🤨 but less postcard/insta friendly or whatever kids call it. and then Marcos sounds more laid back but maybe with less food and bar options. maybe an option. San Juan actually being smaller, maybe a little artier but still right around the corner from Pedro is an option?

    perhaps there are other towns to target? again….looking best available property with a pool we can just chill by and relax soaking in the scenery. clean/well run. walking distance to coffe shop/pastry in AM food or bars. tuk tuk ok too but ideal is we would have to do that everytime. maybe some shopping for local art or crafts (not touristy stuff). bonus points for being close enough for tuk tuk or walk (or very short) boat ride. wife isn’t a “small boat” fan 😵‍💫 for too long.
    any intel? thanks for listening

    1. Hi Brendan, Thanks for your kind words, I’m really happy you enjoy the site. Based on what you’re looking for, and considering your two kids, I would choose San Pedro. Its one of the busier villages, and has most dining options (apart from Panajachel, but the vibe there is not as good).

      You can also walk (30 mins) or take a 5 minute tuk-tuk ride to San Juan which is one of the cutest villages for sure. Remember that it’s very easy to visit other villages as day trips or half day trips so you won’t be constrained to wherever you are staying.

      Check out booking.com or airbnb for accommodation options and hopefully you can find something suitable. In regards to cuisine, Antigua is probably the best city to visit in Guatemala, lots and lots of options. I hope you enjoy your trip. All the best

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