Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: 7 Unforgettable things to do in 3 Days

Surround by rolling hills and 3 major volcanos--one of them active--with lush green trees and traditional Mayan villages, Lake Atitlan is one of Guatemala's most serene and immersive destinations for travelers.

I recently got back from a short trip to Guatemala and realized how much there was that I didn't know about this country, smaller than the state of Tennessee.

I thought I had done my research, but I am here to tell you, there is so much more to know before you travel to Guatemala, specifically Lake Atitlan.

So, in this two-part series I want to break down the important points of what to do and what to know prior to your visit to the Mayan center of Latin America.

The more I spoke to people (locals and fellow travelers) at Lake Atitlan, the more I realized that people who visit there are typically divided into two types of travelers.

Long term backpackers who are living in Guatemala for a significant amount of time and are already immersing themselves into Guatemala's culture (for worse or for better).

OR...

Travelers who are coming through and only plan to stay a day or so at the lake with little idea of what to do or see.

This post is relevant for both but probably pertains more to those planning a trip to Guatemala with a shorter stop at the lake.

How to get to Lake Atitlan

Most people that fly into Guatemala will land in Guatemala City Airport. From there the drive to Lake Atitlan is around 3 hours and 45 minutes.

As soon as you touch down in the airport and walk out the front doors you will be greeted by dozens of vendors trying to sell you flowers, snacks, rental cars, and information. Ideally you ought to have a pre-arranged transport either with a private taxi or a shuttle bus company.

Shuttle Bus from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan will average around $30-40 USD if arranged online or $90-120 if purchased in-person at the airport. Typically, all shuttles in Guatemala are unmarked vans which may feel risky to some but understand this is normal.

Note: Most shuttles will drive you to Panajachel-Lake Atitlan's largest port town. From here if you wish to go to one of the smaller towns (such as San Marcos, San Pedro, Santa Cruz, etc. you will need to arrange further transportation either with a ferry or a tuk-tuk). For more general information on Guatemala's transportation systems, check out my Guatemala Guide.

Private Taxi (pre-arranged) costs around $200 USD. The benefit of this transport option is you don't have share; you can stop when you want (just kindly request a bathroom break from the driver) and you will not have to wait on other passengers to be loaded in or out.

If you choose to rent a car, just know that the traffic on Guatemalan streets is more chaotic than any New York, Los Angelous or Chicago downtown traffic I have experienced.

Where to stay in Lake Atitlan

This was the most debated issue when planning my trip to Lake Atitlan as there are various little towns around the lake and each has their own 'vibe'. For the purpose of my trip with my sister we settled on San Pedro as our base town, and I am thankful we did after exploring several of the others. But if I were to go back, I would like to consider a different town for different experiences.

The popular options:

San Pedro: Considered back-packing central on Lake Atitlan, it is the second largest town on Lake Atitlan. There were a couple hostels and a late-night bar/club on the main street that we stayed on but mostly it was shuttle businesses, cafes, restaurants and homes of locals. It didn't feel touristy like some of the other towns, but it was well-acquainted with tourists. Access to the Indian Nose trail as well.

San Marcos: Likely the most popular town to stay in. San Marcos is one of three or four very close towns (San Juan, San Pedro, San Pablo and San Marcos). This is considered the 'hippie' town on the lake. It is mostly volunteer Airbnbs and luxury spas. They offer lots of vegan food, massages, chakra healing, etc. Best if you want more a retreat style stay and easy access to the nature preserve that has the famous cliff jump. But if you are looking for a more realistic view of Lake Atitlan and the Mayan heritage that is still strong-consider a smaller town like San Juan or Jailbailito.

San Juan: Considered the prettiest town of Lake Atitlan. There are several streets that are colorful with bright, intricate murals and overhanging umbrellas or hats as decoration. If you are looking for picturesque backdrops this one might be for you. It has a single tourist street, and the rest is pretty residential.

Santa Cruz: Closest to major hiking trails such as the Mayan trail, Flower, Route, Long Ridge hike & San Antonio Palopo. This small town is closer to Panajachel, but remains in its own little corner.

Panajachel: Largest port and likely the town you will have to go through to either access other Guatemalan cities or enter Lake Atitlan's villages. Known for its many restaurants and shops. Ideal if you are only staying one night on the lake as it is easiest to get transportation directly from Panajachel to other cities.

7 Things to do if you only have 3 days or so at Lake Atitlan

1) Ferry between villages! The ferry only costs 25 Quetzal ($3.25 usd) for a ride (sometimes 30 if you are travelling a longer distance, for example Sand Pedro to Panajechel is 30q ($3.90 USD) but San Pedro to San Juan is 25q)

I enjoyed the ferry ride despite my tendency to get motion sick and it's fun to see the locals tease each other as they get on. It's the fastest way to get from village to village. The ferrymen are very courteous and helpful and will ask where you are going when you walk to the dock. They will direct you to the ferry that is going to your destination and once you arrive, they'll call out the name and you will need to be assertive and climb out.

Ferries typically run every 15-20 minutes. So, you don't have to wait long for one.

2) Cliff Jump at San Marcos & explore Cerro Tzakujil. Cliff-jumping is one of my favorite adrenaline activities. Each place I travel to, I like to find a place to jump. San Marcos as a pretty famous cliff jump that attracts lots of visitors. Though it is debated how tall it actually is. Some say about 12 meters (so 36ft) other say 20 meters (60 ft). I lean towards the 12 meters, though it felt more like 40 ft.

It's a safe cliff-jumping area (especially compared to some other places I've jumped) with two 'life-guards' in boats below and one at the top of the platform to make sure people are jumping correctly and with proper distance from each other.

To access this platform and leap into the scenic blue water, take a ferry to San Marcos and take the first left once you step onto the dock. Follow that path to Cerro Tzakujil's entrance where you will pay a small fee of 20q ($2.60 USD), sign your name on a ledger and where you are travelling from. You now have access to the whole park in addition to the jump.

Follow wooden signs to the platform and show the 'life-guard' your entrance ticket.

I also suggest spending some time on the rocks below, that incase the shore at San Marcos as they are perfect for bathing in the sun and enjoying a small picnic.

Cerro Tzakujil offers gorgeously manicured paths lined with vibrant plants and trees, most native to Guatemala. It is worth spending an hour or two in, aside from the cliff-jump!

As this is the best place to swim in the lake and picnic!

3) Explore the night life of the town you stay in (San Pedro has excellent Mediterranean cuisine and Middle Eastern eateries)

Most of the food we enjoyed on our trip actually wasn't Guatemalan. San Pedro, for some reason, has

countless Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants. From Moroccan dishes to Greek cuisine to Indian curries, San Pedro has a wide range of delicious food to savor on your trip. I did some research, and I am still coming up blank why these cuisines are so prevalent in San Pedro.

Within several of the towns there are bars that overlook the lake and offer fun, hospitable environments to meet other travelers. One even had a karaoke night while we were there.

4) Check out a cafe in the morning. There are tons throughout each town and most offer views of the lake. The most unique one we came across was a tiny little place called Cafe Las Marias. It's situated in a small street in San Juan and has a total of 2 tables that look out over the tin rooves of homes and the lush green volcano. I loved out small and quaint it was, with lots of signs encouraging patrons to mingle with their neighbors.

Another one, located in San Pedro, Espresso Bar Cafe offered lots of latte options and came with homemade tortillas to-go.

But even if you don't try these two coffee spots, you will surely find one to your liking as there is a cafe or coffee shop on every street.

As someone who thrives on caffeine ordering a latte or cappuccino isn't enough. So, I taught my sister (who visited with me) the best combo for getting through a day is an espresso shot and a cappuccino. Cost effective and the caffeine lasts a little longer in my system as I get to throw back the shot and then sip on my cappuccino for a while longer.

5) Wake up at Sunrise to catch the Pink Skies and Hike a trail

Look up when the best to rise at sunset is for your vacation. For mine, the sun was peaking over the lake around 5:00-5:15, creating this gorgeous pink hour. I had the whole side of the lake to myself and spent a lot of time just listening to the birds wake up and watching the clouds change color.

Even if you are not an early riser, this is both a picturesque opportunity and a relaxing one. Starting the day off, watching dusk paint it's colors over Lake Atitlan, is such a unique experience.

If you prefer hiking to sitting on the shore or a dock, there are several good trails that allow you to experience the sunrise at a higher vantage point.

"Ruta La Finca" - trailhead in San Pedro. This trail leads to an abandoned coffee farm and a black sand beach, offering a stunning view of both the lake and the San Pedro Volcano.

"Lower Mayan Trail" - trailhead in Santa Cruz. This trail crosses several Mayan villages and is sometimes broken up to explore these villages more in depth.

"Indian Nose" - trailhead is in Santa Clara but is accessible from San Pedro (a lot of the trails are). Relatively easy with a lot of lush wildlife on the walk and a scenic viewpoint at the end.

For more experience hikers, research the hiking trails for the San Pedro Volcano and Atitlan Volcano- as they may have better viewpoints but require more planning, preparation and time to complete (5-7 hours).

6) Visit the shops

There are many shops along the main tourist streets in each lake town. However, I did have a preference for the shops in San Juan and San Pedro. Typically, they will sell common souvenirs such cornhusk dolls or colorful paintings that symbolize different aspects of the Mayan culture. If you are looking for more decor souvenirs there are countless woven rugs and wall art.

For something to wear, consider their beaded jewelry and painted hats, shoes, and purses...actually just about anything you can paint and wear, they have on display.

7) Take a cooking class to discover the Mayan culinary culture

Staples of Mayan cuisine are corn "Maize", beans, squash and various fruits. Maize is not only used to make tortillas but also tamales and sometimes is a base for certain drinks.

I didn't have time, unfortunately, to participate in my own cooking class, but there were several that had high recommendations and the next time I visit, I will be signing up for one!

Consider one of these:

• MAYAN KITCHEN COOKING CLASS - Home

• Atitlan Cooking Workshops

  
  

Important Cultural History to Note about Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan is not only so special because of its gorgeous, scenic views and cute villages, each with their own personality. It is also home to many indigenous people with lineage and traditions and cultures that date back to the Mayans.

If you travel here, you will see that most of the women and some of the children where traditional Mayan clothes. Huipil (Spanish for shirt) is the name for their decorative, cotton blouses. This is often pair with a wrap -around skirt and belt (called a faja). This whole outfit is called a traje.

Aside from their beauty this traditional clothing has a lot of historical context and is worn today not only to preserve their unique tradition but also to express their resilient culture, as the Indigenous people of Guatemala have been oppressed over and over again through the centuries. First when Spainards came colonized Guatemala in the 1500s and again in more recent years (1960s-1990s) when the Guatemalan government forced people of Mayan decent to embroider their clothing a certain way to indicate demographic factors about themselves, such as their ethnicity, age, marital status and gender. Allowing for easier discrimination and violence towards those who were indigenous.

There are so many more examples of resistance and perseverance, and I encourage you to read up on it, ask about it and research it as you explore Lake Atitlan, as it gives its natural beauty even more depth.

Also (something I found so interesting) in Mayan Mythology, the gods made mankind out of corn, a staple food source and economical resource for much of Latin America. You will find a lot of little dolls in souvenirs shops, of varying size that are made of corn husks (beneath their woven little doll clothes). I just thought that was so cool and symbolic!

Things to know before you go

1) Cash is king in Guatemala. From ferries to shops to taxi drivers and excursions, you will need to have cash on hand

2) Their currency is a Quetzal or Quetzales (plural) and the conversion to a USD is about 1:0.13

3) Boat schedules: For the ferries expect between 15–20-minute wait. Ferries start around 6:30am and stop at 7pm. Keep this in mind when planning your transportation.

4) Language & Cultural etiquette: a lot of this was previously discussed in the "Important Cultural History to Note" section, but just to reiterate it. Many of the people who at Lake Atitlan speak Spanish and a Mayan language (there are many dialects, some dying out). Don't expect everyone to speak a little English even if it is a tourist spot.