Lake Atitlán is the deepest lake in Central America located 3,537 meters above sea level and surrounded by volcanos. The lake is gorgeous, buzzing with activity, and a must-see when visiting Guatemala. There are many towns you can stay at around the lake and each one has a different vibe.
It is easy to jump between towns by taking lanchas (water taxis) across the lake. You can even visit 2-3 towns in the same day. Most routes only cost 25Q (~3$). Be careful though- depending on where you are staying the last reliable ride may be at 5pm, so ask around and plan accordingly!
If you are taking a bus or shuttle to Lake Atitlan, you will likely be dropped off at the Shuttle drop off in Panajachel (see map below). From there you can take a lancha to wherever you are staying. You can also take little tuk-tuks (3-wheeled taxis) between some towns but not all. Download our Google Map at the end of this page to have easy access to all of our recommendations!
SANTA CRUZ LA LAGUNA
The vibe: We decided to stay at Santa Cruz La Laguna for its quieter and more relaxed vibe. Unlike some of the larger towns, Santa Cruz has been relatively untouched by a lot of the tourism of the bigger towns such as San Pedro and Panajachel. At the dock you will find a few restaurants/bars, the diving outfitter at La Iguana Perdida, and that’s about it. Up the hill is a mostly Kaqchiquel community with a few places to eat… and that’s about it! You can get to Jaibalito and San Marcos by walking but must take a lancha to get everywhere else. Coffee plants seem to grow like wild and the sunsets are amazing every day. Come here for a quiet, laid-back time.
How to get here: If you are coming from Jaibalito or San Marcos, there is a trail that follows the lakeside and you can hike over to Santa Cruz. Otherwise take a lancha from Panajachel and all other lake towns.
*Casa Panorama 2– We found an AMAZING Airbnb right by the lake with volcano views. Our host, Cameron, was a super sweet Australian guy who was very responsive and accommodating. Easy to walk to both the dock and the small town, both of which have a few restaurants. If you are planning to visit Atitlán, we definitely recommend checking out his place. Expect to have some small critters as you will want to keep your floor to ceiling glass windows open all day to soak in the views. Highly recommend. $$
CECAP– An awesome non-for-profit which is helping the Santa Cruz community by teaching crafts, managerial skills and cooking to help pull families out of poverty. They have a small center in Santa Cruz where you can watch students weaving, buy handicrafts, and eat at their graduate-run cafe below. A great cause which has really helped the community, consider stopping by.
*Café Sabor Cruceño– The café run by the graduates of CECAP. We had some great smoothies, delicious molé pancakes, and were able to try some vegetarian versions of local cuisine. Oh, and the lake views are some of the best in the area. If you find yourself in Santa Cruz, support this awesome little spot. $$
La Iguana Perdida– This is where people come to get PADI-diving certified on the lake (ATI Divers), but it also happens to be a hostel, restaurant and bar! We came here for their buffet dinner (WhatsApp or call in advance for a reservation) and stayed til late participating in their Wednesday Open Mic night (sing a song or tell a joke for a shot). On Saturdays they do barbecue. If you are lucky you will get to hear the owner sing his YouTube-famous Chicken Bus Song. Seems like a fun place to stay and a great place to meet other travelers. $$
Hike from Santa Cruz La Laguna to Jaibalito. From the dock, follow the lakeside trail to Jaibalito. You will pass a waterfront woman’s weaving cooperative which sells beautiful natural dyed products made by local women. The trail passes by Free Cerveza Hostel where you can rent paddleboard/kayaks for Q70 (they call themselves a “summer camp for adults”). There is a nice photo op at Sacred Tree that has a picturesque swing with volcano-lake backdrop. The trail will start to climb up-hill at Isla Verde, a beautiful resort-style ecohotel, and will continue to your left. The trail will eventually cross La Casa Del Mundo, where you should stop by for brunch and a batido (smoothie) and then jump into the lake from their beautiful dock and lack access. Then continue on the trail towards the left, a path which will take you through some forested steps and eventually drop you off into the small town of Jaibalito. While there stop by Posado Jaibalito and take home some of Hans’ home-made beer, coffee, and kombucha. Make sure you boat or walk back in the daytime as there have been incidences of petty theft after hours.
Isla Verde– We didn’t get to stay here but walked through their beautiful green property often on the way to Jaibalito. Beautiful getaway spa resort type of vibes. Known for its yoga retreats with amazing lake & volcano views. Seems like a great place to stay! $$
Sacred Tree– Waterfront property with a cute outdoor area. Bungalows available to rent. Also seems like a great place to stay. $$$
Free Cerveza– Hostel which offers paddleboard/kayak rentals for Q70. Bar has nice happy hour specials. $
JAIBALITO
The vibe: Small Kaqchiquel town which is a little difficult to access but has some great hidden gems. Spend the day eating and swimming at Casa del Mundo or grab a smoothie at Indigo.
How to get here: Only accessible by lancha or walking on the ridgeline trail from Santa Cruz or San Marcos.
*La Casa del Mundo– An amazing waterfront hotel and restaurant known to be one of the best places to swim around the lake. You can pay Q25 to use their facilities (lots of hammocks and swimming docks around the property) or just spend Q40 in their restaurant to get access to all of their facilities. Lots of vegetarian options and we loved the enchiladas with beet slaw. Their fresh fruit batidos (smoothies) are very sweet but very good. Come early (breakfast or brunch time) if you want to take a swim as the lake gets rougher after noon. You can also rent a kayak for Q50/hour. By the way, the first photo on this page is La Casa del Mundo from above… talk about location! $$
Posada Jaibalito AKA Hans’– Hans, a German ex-pat, has a reputation of being the “unofficial mayor of Jaibalito”. He makes some of the best beer, coffee, and kombucha we have had anywhere in the world. And he makes it all on his property with local ingredients. Kaqchiquel-speaking women run the kitchen making Guatemalan-German dishes. Try their fresh blackberry ice cream, vegan cakes, and roasted cacao beans. This is not a fancy place- you will be joined by a small herd of dogs, chickens and small children running around… But the quality is excellent, the place is unique and it is a great place to mingle with expat residents of the Lago. Also a hostel if you’re looking for a cheap place to stay. We came to Hans’ 3 times over our short stay, that’s how good his stuff is. $
El Indigo– Delicious smoothies with an absolutely gorgeous garden. Lots of photo opportunities here. Beautiful spot for a sunset drink or meal. $$
Sacred Garden Yoga House– A boutique cottage you can rent on Airbnb which offers complimentary yoga classes and sauna for only $49/night. Incredible views. $$
SAN MARCOS LA LAGUNA
The vibe: San Marcos is definitely the hippie, “New Age” center of relaxation and spiritual growth. Good place to buy natural remedies, teas, vegan food. Come here to learn meditation, yoga, reiki, and other spiritual practices. Definitely worth a stop to witness the bizarre mix of characters inhabiting this place!
How to get here: Via lancha from anywhere or take a tuk-tuk (3-wheeled taxi) from San Pedro or San Juan.
Go swimming: The Lago is very clean around San Marcos and you can just jump off the rocks for a swim. But check out the Cerro Tzankujil reserve for an even prettier dip in the lake!
*Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve– Must do. Worth coming to San Marcos just for this. Cerro Tzankujil is a nature reserve located to the west of the dock (there is a small waterside trail that you can follow to get there). It is full of trails, Mayan temples, viewpoints and “the trampoline”, which is a diving deck approximately 25ft into clear blue waters. Beautiful area to swim, jump, and soak in the beauty of the lake. Small entrance fee of 20Q which goes towards maintaining the park. You can also rent kayaks here for Q20. $
Comedor Konojel– Cute Guatemalan restaurant with a menu of the day serving typical Guatemalan dishes with lots of vegetarian options. They also house textiles made by Sabor del Sol, a sewing collective which empowers local women by teaching them practical marketable skills. $$
La Casa Zapote– hidden fancy hotel with a cute little cheese and fondue restaurant. You have to a take a little hike through town and some forested areas to get here, which kinda just adds to the magic of it. Doesn’t fondue always taste better after a little exertion anyways? Make a reservation for this place and try the sampler of 25 different cheeses- all made in Guatemala! $$$
Eagles Nest– Recommended to us by a fellow traveler, this yoga center apparently has incredible views, a healthy restaurant, and even hosts the occasional full moon party. Next time!
Be sure to check out this awesome list of recommendations by Christa Samayoa at Guatemala.com, especially if you want to see the amazing views of the yoga studios in San Marcos.
PANAJACHEL
The vibe: Largest town on the lake, commercial, shopping, more touristed, expat community. This is where you come for shopping, booking tours, stocking up on goods. The pumping heart of the lake.
How to get here: If you are arriving at the lake, you will most likely be dropped off at the shuttle drop off at Panajachel. You can arrive via shuttle, road, bus. You can connect from Panajachel via lancha to and from anywhere else on the lake.
*Mercado Municipal: One of the best places to get fresh produce on the lake. Try the street food: tostadas (fried tortillas with toppings), atol blanca or atol de elote (warm bean or corn porridge-like drink), chichitos (like corn-based tamales), yuca with picante, granizados (snowcones). Careful with ceviche or meat-based items. $
Go Shopping– Calle Santander is a great place to buy gifts, fresh produce and find bargains on goods. Many items come from the famous Chichicastenango market which is a couple hours away. Also check out the Comerciales de Artesanías Típicas Tinamit Maya handicrafts market. $$
Reserva Natural Atitlán– A nature reserve with zip lines, butterfly preserves, trails, and hanging bridges. Also has a restaurant and hotel. $
*Panaderia Delapan– Bakery with 100 different breads and pastries. We got some biscuits to dip in our coffee that were divine. It also cost us like 10 cents. We went back and got 20 more to take home with us. Mmmm mmm. $
Crossroads Café– Check out this coffee cafe popular with ex-pats. Try their award-winning Hue-hue coffee. $
Restaurante Lena’s Atlantis– Cute Biergarten (beer garden) with cheap food and drinks. Happy hour from 3-7p with drinks for 10Q ($1.30). $
Selina Atitlán– If you’re looking for an affordable shared workspace to stay at, the Selinas offer everything from shared dorms to private suites. Their location in Panajachel is on the water and they often host some of the best parties in town. $
Laboratorio La Asunción– If you need COVID testing you can get a same day test here for 350Q each (as of Oct 2021). $$
OTHER TOWNS
We didn’t make it to the rest of the lake towns, but check out these guides from LonelyPlanet and Adventurous KATE for more recommendations on things to do and where to stay around the lake. There are many smaller towns throughout the lake area, all of them with their own unique cultures. We listed the general vibes and how to get to some of the other popular lake towns:
SAN PEDRO LA LAGUNA
The vibe: Come here to party. This is the backpacker town. Cheap accommodations, lots of food options, and a crazy nightlife scene.
How to get here: Arrive via lancha from anywhere on the lake or take a tuk-tuk from San Juan.
Hike the Volcán San Pedro for panoramic views of San Pedro.
SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA
The vibe: Arts and commerce center of the lake. More affluent, cleanest, mask policy was quite enforced. Colorful with lots of Tz’utujil crafts and Spanish/crafts schools.
How to get here: Arrive via lancha from anywhere on the lake or take a tuk-tuk from San Pedro.
SANTIAGO
The vibe: Largest town on the lake, large local population, traditional customs.
How to get here: Arrive via lancha from anywhere on the lake.
MAP
Check out our Google Map for the locations of all of the recommendations above. You can also access it here.
