LAKE ATITLÁN, GUATEMALA
When it comes to natural beauty and the title of “Most Beautiful Lake in the World”, it’s hard to argue there are many places that top Lake Atitlán! Not only is it Central America’s deepest lake but it is also surrounded by three volcanoes creating a world-class backdrop. This is one of those places you won’t believe until you see. The only thing left to say is, “When are you visiting?”
Attractions:
Climb Volcán San Pedro: Looking to get a commanding view of Lake Atitlán? This is it! The 6-8 hour round-trip trek costs 100Q ($13 USD), which is inclusive of your entrance fee and guide. If you spend the night in San Pedro, getting to the start of the hike is simple. Take a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride to the base of the volcano for 10Q ($1 USD). If you are not staying in San Pedro, take a lancha (boat taxi) there for 25Q ($3 USD). This ride is 30-60 minutes depending on where you are staying. Boats run once they become full (approximately every 30 minutes) from 6:30am-7:30pm. The beginning of the hike is relatively flat but as you near the top, it becomes much more steep. I recommend starting as early as possible. Be sure to bring plenty of food and liquids!
Sololá Market: This market is a 20-minute chicken bus ride from Panajachel and costs 5Q ($0.50 USD). Although this market is open daily, the busiest days are Tuesdays and Fridays. You will find a wide array of fruits, vegetables, and locals dressed in traditional Mayan garb here. A great spot for authentic souvenirs!
Playa Publica Panajachel: Looking for the perfect picture of this picture perfect lake? This is it! Swimming is allowed here and there’s also a nice walking path for a lovely afternoon stroll.
Hike to La Nariz: This hike can be done during the day or at sunrise with or without a guide. The 3:30am sunrise tour cost varies between vendors but should be about 100Q ($13 USD) inclusive of a guide, hot beverage, and snacks. If you want to try your luck on your own, catch a chicken bus from San Pedro to Santa Clara; buses run every 30 minutes starting at 3:00am. The ride is 1 hour and costs 10Q ($1 USD). Ask to be let off at “La Nariz del Indio”; the trail from here is easy enough to follow. The hike is about an hour round-trip and the sun generally rises between 5:30am-6:00am. Similar to the hike up Volcán San Pedro, it is easiest to spend the night prior in San Pedro. There is no entrance fee to the hike but you can expect to see a scammer or two on the trail. Known as banditos, these people will require payment of between 10Q-50Q ($1-$6.50 USD) to pass. If you see them, it’s not worth the hassle of arguing. If you are with a guide, they won’t bother you. The hike itself is not unsafe but I give this context as a heads up!
Other attractions include: Hike Volcán Atitlán, Hike Volcán Tolimán, Chichicastenango Market, and Museo Lacustre de Atitlán.
Accommodation:
There are many small villages that surround Lake Atitlán and while they all have their similarities, the town you select to stay in is very important! Below are short blurbs on a few of the more popular destinations to help you make your choice.
San Pedro La Laguna: This town is full of backpackers and is in close proximity to the areas’s two most popular hikes (Volcán San Pedro and La Nariz). Needless to say, this is where most travelers choose to stay. Unlike Santiago and San Marcos, you can find shuttle options to other Guatemalan travel destinations directly from here (see more below). My hostel recommendation is Hostel Fe.
Panajachel: Since this is the main travel hub of the area, staying in Pana will give you the best and most reliable access to transportation around the lake (and country in general). Stay here if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of Central American marketplaces! My hostel recommendation is Dreamboat Hostel.
Santiago Atitlán: Sandwiched between the lake’s three volcanoes, Santiago is the biggest town on Atitlán. Due to it being the furthest from Panajachel and its lack of accommodation, this spot has kept an extremely local feel. Stay here if you plan to hike either Volcán Atitlán or Volcán Tolimán. My hostel recommendation is Hostal Santiaguito.
San Marcos La Laguna: The most quiet location of the bunch is the place to stay if you are looking to relax, get a massage, do yoga, or unwind. There are coffee plantations nearby that you can stroll through and the town itself is not busy. My hostel recommendation is Hostel San Marcos.
Transportation:
Panajachel’s main chicken bus station is the Rebuli Bus Stop (next to the fire house “Bomberos Voluntarios”) and where all of the below chicken buses depart from. If you choose to travel via shuttle bus, those will pick you up from your hostel or a public spot.
Antigua is 3 hours by bus from Panajachel and costs 36Q ($4.50 USD); this bus leaves once daily at 11:00am.
El Tunco, El Salvador (near San Salvador) is 7 hours by shuttle bus from Panajachel and costs $30 USD. This shuttle picks up in Panajachel at 5:00am and arrives in El Tunco at approximately 12:00pm.
There are not any fees associated with departing Guatemala or entering El Salvador.
If you are staying in San Pedro, you can take a 9-hour shuttle bus to El Tunco for $30 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer.
Lanquín is 10 hours by shuttle bus from Panajachel and costs $25 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer. This shuttle picks up at Muelle de Tzanjuyu at 8:00am and arrives in Lanquín at approximately 6:00pm.
Lanquín is also reachable via chicken bus if you’d like to save money (but not time). This route takes 15-18 hours (indirect; via Antigua, Guatemala City and Cobán) and costs 146Q ($19 USD). I do not recommend this route because it requires transferring buses in Guatemala City and the mountainous road to Cobán is not ideal for chicken bus travel. The first bus from Panajachel to Antigua is 3 hours and costs 36Q; this bus leaves once daily at 11:00am. The second bus from Antigua to Guatemala City is 1.5 hours and costs 10Q; buses leave every 15 minutes from 5:00am-9:00pm. The third bus from Guatemala City to Cobán is 6-8 hours and costs 60Q. The final bus from Cobán to Lanquín 3 hours and costs 40Q.
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico is 12 hours by shuttle bus from Panajachel and costs $30 USD. This shuttle picks up at Muelle de Tzanjuyu at 6:30am and arrives in San Cristóbal de las Casas at approximately 6:30pm.
Although you may be asked for 10Q when crossing the border at La Mesilla, there is no departure fee for Guatemala. There is, however, a $25 USD (500 Mexican Pesos) entrance fee for Mexico if your stay is more than one week.
Flores is 12-13 hours by shuttle bus from Panajachel and costs $55 USD via Atitlán Tours. This shuttle picks up at your hostel at 5:00am and arrives in Flores at approximately 6:00pm.
Flores is also reachable via chicken bus if you’d like to save money. This route takes 14-15 hours (indirect; via Angitua and Guatemala City) and costs 176Q ($23 USD). The first bus from Panajachel to Antigua is 3 hours and costs 36Q; this bus leaves at 11:00am. The second bus from Antigua to Guatemala City is 1.5 hours and costs 10Q; buses leave every 15 minutes from 5:00am-9:00pm. The third and final bus from Guatemala City to Flores is 9-10 hours and costs 130Q. The most popular way to travel this route is via night bus which I strongly advise against. In fact, I suggest steering clear of Guatemala City altogether if you can avoid it; especially at night.
León, Nicaragua is 18 hours by shuttle bus from Panajachel and costs $50 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer. This shuttle picks up at Muelle de Tzanjuyu at 5:00am and arrives in León at approximately 11:00pm.
As stated above, there is no Guatemalan departure fee. However, the Nicaraguan entrance fee is $12 USD (400 Nicaraguan Córdobas).
If you are staying in San Pedro, you can take a 19-hour shuttle bus to León for $45 USD via Gekko Trails Explorer.
The closest airport to Lake Atitlán is La Aurora International Airport (GUA) outside of Guatemala City. This airport is 115km (71 miles) from Lake Atitlán and most accessible via shuttle bus. The ride is 5 hours and costs $35 USD. While there are chicken bus options, I don’t think it is worth the money savings. Just stick with the shuttle.
Thank you Mathijs Beks, Cameron Wilkins, John Cameron, and Perry Grone for contributing your photography!