Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan is one of Guatemala’s most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. But how do you choose where to stay on Lake Atitlan? There are so many unique lake side and mountain top villages, it can be difficult to choose just one place to stay on Lake Atitlan. Good news is, you don’t have to. And if you do, getting around by ferry (or as they call it lanchas) is very easy. Here is how to choose where to stay on Lake Atitlan.
About Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is located in the heart of Guatemala’s western highlands. The extraordinarily deep volcanic Lake (one of the deepest in Central America) is known for breathtaking reflections, stunning views – and even a hippie village. The Lake is about two and a half hours by car or bus from Antigua and nearly 4 hours from Guatemala City.
Lake Atitlan is popular with all sorts of tourists coming to experience the rich Mayan culture, relax or head out on some adventures. No matter what you are looking for, Lake Atitlan certainly has a village for you.
Getting to Lake Atitlan from Antigua
The easiest way to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan is with a private or shared shuttle. Almost all the shuttle services operate with the same schedule. There’s really no need to book too far in advance. I stressed over this quite a bit. But there are so many shuttle companies. If you are staying in Antigua for a couple days, just book a day or two before you plan to depart. Most companies offer similar prices between $15 – $20 USD. We used Transport Guatemala and did book in advance via Whatsapp and Paypal. Communication was easy, friendly and in English or Spanish.
The journey from Antigua to Lake Atitlan takes about 3 hours. There also tends to be construction or traffic, so expect delays. Most shuttles arrive at the hub of Lake Atitlan, Panajachel. I did see some companies that offer direct transport to other villages like San Marco and San Pedro, so good to consider this if you are going there instead.
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Panajachel is the perfect hopping off point to explore all the other villages. It also tends to be a cheaper accommodation choice, since the options are plentiful. If you travel from Antigua or elsewhere, this is likely where the shuttle will drop you off.
Panjachel is crowded with tuk tuks, international restaurants, souvenir shops and bars. They also have a traditional street market, with textiles and handmade crafts. If you look past the touristy international restaurants, you’ll also find some good local spots for fair prices.
Where to stay in Panajachel
We chose not to spend any time in Panajachel. We simply walked through here on our way to and from la lancha. Panajachel is flooded with hostels and hotels, including a pretty famous Selina (now called Socialtel). I’d stay here if I had to choose.
San Pedro, Lake Atitlan
San Pedro in my opinion is the perfect place to stay on Lake Atitlan. You’ll find an excellent mix of local Mayan culture and backpacking vibes. When I did my research, San Pedro was described as a backpacking town with lots of hostels. Whilst this is true, the main street just off the road from la lancha is exactly that, there is plenty more to this village. Including a surprisingly large Israeli culture. In fact, some people say they had the best falafels of their lives here.
We were able to use San Pedro as our hopping off point during our time at Lake Atitlan. The lanchas depart from here regularly, making it easy to get around. If you are looking for a balance of local Mayan culture, nightlife and Guatemalan restaurants – San Pedro has it all.
My favorite part of our stay in Lake Atitlan was our lesson in Mayan cooking from Anita’s Mayan Cooking Class. Read all about this experience here.
Where to stay in San Pedro
We spent two nights in San Pedro. We stayed at Sababa Resort. Sababa is located on a dead end street in the center of town. Sababa Resort has free breakfast, a swimming pool, bar and some other services like daily yoga, laundry and massages. The rooms are spacious and clean, but could use some modernization. Don’t expect 5-stars!
San Marcos, Lake Atitlan
Oh, San Marcos. San Marcos is your typical hippie village. These tend to pop up in beautiful destinations around the world. I felt like I was back in the Netherlands at a weekend festival like Lowlands. Most people visit San Marcos seeking spiritual experiences – like ayahuasca ceremonies, cacao ceremonies or yoga retreats. If that’s you, this is your dream destination.
We visited San Marcos for one day. San Marcos is small and you can easily walk through the town in an hour. They have many international health food restaurants and stores, as well as a few more local restaurants. They also have a popular nature reserve where you can go for a walk in the hills and then jump in Lake Atitlan. It’s called Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve.
Where to stay in San Marcos
Eagle’s Nest Atitlan Yoga Dance and Community is the hotel I’ve heard about most. You can also visit for a day to eat a meal, take a course or visit their spa facilities. It is a bit outside the center up in the hills and has a beautiful view overlooking the lake. Note, it’s pricey and sells out quickly!
San Juan, Lake Atitlan
San Juan is known to be one of the more colorful and artsy villages on Lake Atitlan. This description fits. The houses and shops are painted in bright colors, and ribbons, flags and murals cover the streets. The daily atmosphere is lively, especially on weekends.
San Juan is probably where I took the most photos. We walked here from San Pedro, it takes about 30 minutes but you can also go by lancha or tuk tuk. Be sure to visit the famously decorated Calle de Las Sombrillas and Calle de Los Sombreros. If you are hoping to pick up some authentic souvenirs, stray a bit off the main streets and visit places like Casa Flor Ixcaco Weaving Corporation. The work from these women is so impressive! They also offer courses and workshops on-site.
I would not recommend staying in San Juan, as the evenings seem more quiet. There are fewer restaurants and hotels than elsewhere, but definitely visit for the day.
Santa Catarina Palopó, Lake Atitlan
Santa Catarina was the most unique of the villages we visited on Lake Atitlan. If you are looking to see how the local people really live, Santa Catarina is a must-visit. Recently, Santa Catarina began a painting project. The local people (about 6,000) have invested together with the municipality in painting their homes bright colors with decorative patterns to clean and make their homes happier, as well as attract tourism. More about the project here.
The village is built on a steep cliffside with narrow passages and uneven paths. From the moment you arrive, you can see the level of poverty here. You can also see the thriving sense of community, connectedness, Mayan spirit and beauty. I found the people here so welcoming, friendly and vibrant. This was also the best place in my opinion to buy locally woven products. The women themselves weave and sell directly on the street or from their homes.
Where to stay in Santa Catarina
Hotel Villa Santa Catarina’s clientele is mostly families and older couples or groups. We enjoyed the pool and hot tub, as well as the views overlooking the lake and volcano in the distance. This was one of the prettiest views on the lake. We also dined at the restaurant for dinner, as there are very limited dining options in Santa Catarina. To get here, we took a tuk tuk from the dock.
I would not recommend staying for long, but if you are looking for peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of places like San Pedro and Panajachel, Santa Catarina is perfect.
Of course, there are more villages to visit on Lake Atitlan, all with their unique traditions, colors, foods and people. But here’s a short list of my favorites to get you started.
