LAKE ATITLAN TRAVEL GUIDE
With so many towns like San Marcos, San Juan, Panajachel and San Pedro, it’s tough to choose where to stay at Lake Atitlan. During our three-week roundtrip through Guatemala, including a quick escape to Belize, we faced the same challenge as you (Don’t miss our full post “What to Do in Guatemala: The Best 3-Week Itinerary.”).
That’s why we created this Lake Atitlan travel guide. After exploring the lake ourselves, we’re convinced that staying in Panajachel and San Pedro is more than enough. These two towns are the perfect base to enjoy Lake Atitlan without stress or missing out. In this guide, we’ll show you what makes both places special, how to get around, and which experiences around the lake you shouldn’t miss.
Overview of Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlán) is one of the most beautiful lakes in Central America. Surrounded by green hills and the volcanoes San Pedro, Atitlan, and Toliman, its deep blue water offers an unforgettable view we truly loved. The lake sits between Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango, not so far from Antigua, and was one of the absolute highlights of our trip. We also already shared our “Antigua Travel Guide: Our Full 2-Day Itinerary” and a detailed review of “Guatemala’s Acatenango Volcano Hike: Brutal but Unforgettable.”
Getting there is easier than it might seem. If you arrive by plane, your journey will most likely start in Guatemala City. From there, the drive to Lake Atitlan takes about three and a half to four and a half hours, depending on traffic. From Antigua, it is a bit shorter, around two and a half to three hours. The easiest way is to book a shared shuttle to Panajachel, the main transport hub at the northern shore of the lake. Pana is right on the Pan American Highway and well connected by road.
Once there, small blue motorboats called lanchas can take you to any of the lake’s towns, each with its own vibe and charm.
Panajachel – The Gateway to the Lake
1. All the Options to travel to Panajachel
Getting to Panajachel is easy, and you have several travel options depending on your budget and comfort level.
Shuttle buses are the most convenient and popular option for tourists. They run daily from Antigua and Guatemala City and take around 3 to 5 hours depending on traffic. These are door-to-door services and usually the safest and most comfortable choice. We paid around 15.00 USD per person for the shuttle from Antigua to Panajachel and found it to be the easiest and most convenient option.
If you’re on a tighter budget, chicken buses (local buses) are the cheapest way (4.00 USD – 6.00 USD) to travel to Panajachel. They’re colorful, crowded, and an authentic experience. They require more time and patience. Private transfers (100.00 USD) or rental cars are also an option if you prefer more flexibility.
2. Best place to stay in Panajachel
Looking for where to stay in Panajachel? We ended up spending more than one night here because of the unpredictable weather — and honestly, we didn’t mind at all thanks to our amazing hostel. Like in many other South American cities, we stayed at Selina Panajachel (now called Sociatel Atitlan), one of the most popular places for travelers looking for a mix of comfort, style, and community.
This hostel in Panajachel offers a large pool, a delicious on-site restaurant and bar, and both private rooms and shared dorms. Shared dorms start at 10.00 USD per night and private rooms at 50.00 USD per night incl. breakfast.
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3. What to do and see in Panajachel
Panajachel is somewhat like the capital of Lake Atitlan. With 15,000 inhabitants, it is the largest town around the lake. Due to the rainy season some restaurants and bars were closed. Despite the “okay” weather, we still had a highlight during our time in Panajachel: the visit to the Atitlan Nature Reserve.
Atitlan Nature Reserve
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Address
Antigua Finca San Buenaventura, Panajachel 07010
Entrance Price
$10.00 USD
Opening hours
Monday – Sunday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Heart of Panajachel – Calle Santander
Calle Santander is the main street in Panajachel and is perfect for a safe walk in the evening. From our recommended hotel in Panajachel, it’s just a short walk, and you will find many restaurants, souvenir stores, and very good and affordable street food.
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San Pedro La Laguna – The Alternative Vibe
1. How to Get to San Pedro La Laguna
There are several ways to get to San Pedro La Laguna. If you are already in Panajachel, the easiest option is to take a lancha. The ride across Lake Atitlan takes around 30 to 45 minutes and offers beautiful views. Boats to San Pedro run about every 30 minutes, but keep in mind that the last departure is usually between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. After that, you will need to find a private lancha. One public dock is located near the Selina Hostel in Panajachel.
If you are coming from Antigua, you can book a shared shuttle from Antigua to San Pedro La Laguna for about 20.00 USD. The journey takes around three and a half hours. Of course, there are also private transfers available, or you can travel the local way with a chicken bus. They are very cheap but less comfortable and usually involve several changes.
2. Where to Stay in San Pedro La Laguna: Our Experience at Amigos Hostel
We had a great stay in San Pedro and can highly recommend Amigos Hostel. It was the perfect place for us. It is centrally located, just a short walk from the docks, restaurants, and bars. The hostel offers both dorm beds and private rooms, so it is ideal for all types of travelers.
One of our favorite parts was the rooftop breakfast with stunning views of Lake Atitlán. The food was delicious, the staff were super friendly, and the atmosphere was relaxed and social. A fun extra we did not expect: they even had a free massage gun, which helped a lot with our sore muscles after hiking Acatenango. If you are looking for a budget-friendly hostel in San Pedro La Laguna, Amigos is a great choice.
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Address
MPVG+MC, San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
Website
Website
3. What to Do in San Pedro La Laguna
San Pedro La Laguna is a popular spot for backpackers at Lake Atitlan. The town has a relaxed vibe with lots of bars, cafés, and restaurants which made it easy for us to meet other travelers. You can explore the town by foot or take a tuk tuk to nearby places like San Juan. When the weather is good, you can enjoy activities on the lake such as kayaking or paddleboarding or go for a sunrise hike to the Indian Nose.
Walk around and discover street art
Something we will definitely remember from San Pedro La Laguna is the amazing street art. We spent hours just walking through the streets and spotting colorful murals and creative graffiti. Some are really big and others are hidden in small corners, but each one is unique and tells a story.
Many of the paintings show local culture, Mayan traditions or daily life in the town. It felt like the whole place was an open-air gallery. We really recommend taking time to explore on foot with no plan. Just walk around and enjoy the surprises along the way. It’s a fun and free activity that gives you a different view of San Pedro.
Take a tuk-tuk along the mirador to San Juan La Laguna
A tuk-tuk tour from San Pedro Laguna to San Juan la Laguna is a cool experience that offers stunning views of the lake. We started our tour near to the ferry terminal, and our first stop was the Church of St. Peter. After that, the tuk-tuk made its way up the hill.
Along the way, we stopped at a honey shop and various photo spots. At the honey spot you have of course the possibility to buy products made out of honey and you also get a little tour with explanations.
A very cool photo spot at Lake Atitlán is Mirador Plaza Maravilla, which we included as a stop on our way to San Juan. Here, you can take Instagrammable photos for a small entry fee.
We explored San Juan on foot and were glad we chose to stay in San Pedro. Although the main street in San Juan is in our opinion more beautiful, the vibe was different and not really our style. We also had lunch there, but overall we felt more comfortable in San Pedro. Funny enough, we ran into a couple we knew from the Acatenango hike. That might happen more often since many travelers follow a similar route. For the way back, we took a taxi boat.
Important: To avoid getting scammed, make sure to negotiate the tour price in advance and confirm whether the quoted price is per person or for the entire group.
If you’re unsure where to stay at Lake Atitlan, we recommend doing what we did: change cities! It’s affordable and easy, allowing you to experience different parts of the lake.
Where You Should Stay At Lake Atitlan
We shared more details about Panajachel and San Pedro La Laguna because these two places were perfect for us. In the end, it really depends on your personal preferences. If you are more into calm and peaceful vibes, San Marcos might suit you better than lively San Pedro. Panajachel is a great starting point and totally worth a visit just for the nature reserve. What we really liked about staying in San Pedro was that you can easily take a tuk tuk tour and visit San Juan. In general, all towns around Lake Atitlán are well connected by boat, so it is easy to be flexible and explore more than one place.
Practical Travel Tips for Visiting Lake Atitlan
When visiting Lake Atitlan, we picked up a few tips that made our trip smoother. The best way to get around is by lancha, but always ask for the price first. Bring enough cash—many places don’t take cards, and ATMs aren’t always available there. Mornings are ideal for hikes or boat rides, while afternoons can be rainy or windy, so plan accordingly. Even on warm days, pack layers for cool mornings and evenings. Internet can be slow or unstable, so a local SIM card was a big help. Respect the locals, ask before taking photos, and always drink bottled water. Be flexible and patient—boats may run late, but that’s part of the adventure here.
Conclusion
Lake Atitlan quickly became one of our favorite places in Guatemala, and we truly believe it should not be missing from any itinerary. The mix of beautiful nature, colorful villages, and friendly people makes it a special destination. Whether you want to relax by the water, explore street art, spot animals, go on a hike, or simply enjoy good food with a view – every traveler will find something that matches their interests. No matter where you choose to stay around the lake, there is plenty to do and many unforgettable memories waiting for you.
FAQ
Yes, in many areas it’s safe and refreshing. Just ask locals or your hotel for the best swimming spots.
Boats (lanchas) don’t need booking, but in high season or for popular guesthouses, it’s smart to reserve your room early.
Yes! You can combine 2 to 3 villages in one day by boat. For example, explore San Pedro in the morning, San Juan after lunch, and end with sunset in San Marcos.
We recommend at least 3 nights. With so many villages and activities, anything less might feel rushed.
Not necessarily, but knowing a few Spanish phrases helps. Many locals speak basic English, especially in tourist areas, but in smaller villages Spanish or even Kaqchikel is common.
Yes, it’s generally safe and welcoming. Stick to well-traveled paths, use official boats, and ask your accommodation for safety tips—especially if exploring at night
Bring layers for changing weather, good walking shoes, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, and enough cash. A power bank and local SIM card are also useful since electricity and Wi-Fi can be unreliable in some villages
Thanks For Reading
We truly hope our Lake Atitlan Travel Guide you to explore this amazing highlight in Guatemala for yourself. If you are planning your trip and wondering what to see, where to stay, or looking for a real local experience, we recommend checking out our three week Guatemala itinerary. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help. We would also love to hear about your own experience in the comments below. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it to support our travel blog.
Vicky and Malte
