The Insider’s Guide to San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala

Planning to visit San Juan la Laguna Guatemala while exploring Lake Atitlan? Our insider’s guide has everything you need to know about visiting this laid-back gem and making the most of your time here.

San Juan la Laguna is a lovely little Mayan town on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. It’s the home of the Tz’utujil Maya community and the town is one of the most laid-back and peaceful on Lake Atitlan’s shores.

San Juan la Laguna is very small, quiet and with a local feel- a very different vibe to that of nearby backpacker towns San Pedro la Laguna or San Marcos. While nevertheless quite different, it has to be explored for its many cultural and artistic gems.

There are many amazing things to do in San Juan la Laguna, all of which can easily be done in a day. From visiting some of the best viewpoints in Lake Atitlan to sampling some of the region’s best coffee. San Juan la Laguna should firmly be on your Guatemala itinerary.

During our extended trip to Lake Atitlan, we based ourselves in San Juan la Laguna as well as San Marcos la Laguna, two of Lake Atitlan’s best towns. In that time we spent days exploring San Juan la Laguna, meeting the locals and finding out everything the town has to offer.

Keep reading to find out all the best things to do in San Juan la Laguna, how to get there, where to stay and eat as well as all the best insider, practical advice. Let’s dive in.

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Read more: The Complete Guide to San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala

Where is San Juan La Laguna Guatemala?

San Juan Guatemala is located on the shores of Lake Atitlan in the Solola Region of Guatemala. It occupies the western end of the lake, just next to the popular town of San Pedro la Laguna.

How to Get to San Juan La Laguna

San Juan la Laguna is best reached by boat. How long the boat trip takes and the cost will depend on where you’re coming from.

Coming from Panajachel, the main town that connects Lake Atitlan to Antigua and beyond, it takes around 30-40 minutes to get to San Juan la Laguna and costs around Q25. You’ll stop at a few other lakeside towns along the way including San Marcos.

If you’re coming from San Marcos or Santa Cruz, for example, the boat trip to San Juan Atitlan will be shorter and cheaper.

In general, the locals are the docks are super helpful when it comes to figuring out which boats go where. We often found locals would approach us and ask us where we were going and then point us in the direction of the correct boat.

If you can’t find a boat to San Juan (which would be difficult) you can also go to San Pedro which is right next door and then transfer to San Juan by tuk-tuk. Tuk-tuks are readily available and connect the two towns in under 10 minutes.

If you have no luggage you can also walk between San Juan and San Pedro.

You could get to San Juan la Laguna by road but that would mean circumnavigating the entire lake especially if you’re coming from Antigua Guatemala or Guatemala City. I wouldn’t recommend it, as it’s much easier and faster to head to Panajachel and then transfer by boat.

14 Best Things to Do in San Juan La Laguna

1. Go for a Walk Around the Town

San Juan la Laguna Guatemala is small and compact and one of the best ways to get to know it is just by wandering around. As you stroll through San Juan’s narrow streets, you are greeted with a kaleidoscope of colorful murals that tell stories of the town’s rich history and the traditions of the Tz’utujil Maya people.

You’ll also see many textile and souvenir shops, art galleries, local children playing in the streets as well as many cafes and restaurants.

Make sure to look around for some breathtaking views of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes that provide a stunning backdrop.

2. Visit the Main Church and the Main Square

On a small, understated main square in the center of town, you’ll find the equally understated Catholic Church of San Juan la Laguna. With a fusion of both colonial and indigenous influences the church reflects the community and cultural heritage of the town.

The simple, stone facade is the first thing you’ll notice as you enter the main square. Make sure to head inside for a humble church interior with stained-glass windows, wood-carved doors and a beautiful pulpit. It’s the perfect contrast of old and new.

3. Visit a Local Textile Shop in San Juan la Laguna Lake Atitlan

As you wander through town, you’ll soon notice the large number of local textile shops. Many weaving cooperatives exist in several of the different villages located around Lake Atitlan.

What makes San Juan la Laguna special when it comes to textile weaving is its use of natural dyes. The members of the weaving cooperatives, generally local Mayan women, grow their own cotton and use dyes that come from various local plants, fruits and vegetables, making the final products chemical-free and non-toxic.

Many of the textile shops in San Juan Atitlan are part of weaving cooperatives making this a great reason to shop for organic and non-toxic products while also supporting the local weaving community.

Here are some of the best shops to take a look into:

TinteMaya – My favorite store in San Juan la Laguna. The lovely lady here explained the whole weaving process as we shopped and allowed us to peek into the back where she showed us her cotton and the natural dying process. The products here are of high quality and the design is gorgeous too. We couldn’t help but buy a few pieces here.

Asociacion De Mujeres En Colores Botanico – A larger weaving association where you’ll find work by a lot of the local women. A great place to shop for souvenirs.

Casa Flor Ixcaco – this lovely little weaving store includes a brilliant demonstration of how the fabrics are dyed, dried, and then weaved using a traditional backstrap loom. It’s a great place for shopping for clothing, scarves, kimonos, each of which is individually labeled with the name and photo of the woman who weaved it.

I honestly can’t think of a better way to shop for souvenirs and support the local community.

4. Visit an Art Gallery

Visiting an art gallery in San Juan La Laguna Atitlan is another great way to explore local Mayan art and culture further. This small town, known for its rich artistic heritage, hosts galleries that are treasure troves of creativity, showcasing the extraordinary talents of local Tz’utujil artists.

The artwork is colorful and inspired by traditional Mayan themes and the breathtaking natural beauty of Lake Atitlan. By visiting the galleries you’ll be able to chat with the artists, many of which are present in the galleries, and gain a deeper insight into the work.

Some of the top galleries we found while visiting are Galeria de Arte Chiya and Galeria de Arte Gil Yojcom, both private galleries of local artists, located on the road going down to the docks.

The local Mercado Municipal is also a great place for souvenirs and local art shopping.

5. Check out the Local Street Art

In San Juan la Laguna, Solola you don’t even need to step into a gallery to come face to face with colorful, local art. Street art is present throughout the town but the best street for it is 5th Avenue.

On 5th Avenue, you’ll find almost every house and wall painted in an array of vivid murals. These murals, crafted by skilled local artists, are more than just aesthetic expressions; they are powerful narratives that capture the essence of Tz’utujil Maya heritage, community values, and the natural beauty surrounding Lake Atitlan.

Make sure not to miss them when visiting San Juan Lake Atitlan.

6. Dive into the Local San Juan Coffee Scene

San Juan La Laguna’s café and coffee scene is a hidden gem for coffee aficionados, offering a unique and authentic experience that we honestly had no idea about before visiting.

The Lake Atitlan area is a region renowned for producing some of the world’s finest coffee, and the town’s cafes take pride in serving locally grown beans, often sourced directly from their plantations in town.

There are many local cafes in San Juan, each of them either growing, drying and roasting their beans or sourcing the best quality beans from nearby. Visiting the cafes, you’ll be able to sip on some of the area’s best coffee while also chatting with the knowledgeable staff who are more than pleased to show you their entire process

Cafe San Juan is one of the best cafes we visited, located right by the docks. They grow their beans in the back, and then dry and roast them themselves on site. The owners were kind enough to take us through the whole process before we sat down to try a cup.

The coffee was great and we couldn’t help buying a bag to take with us.

Some other brilliant cafes to visit are Cafe Las Marias and Cooperativa La Voz which also does coffee tours.

7. Take in the View from Mirador Kaqasiiwaan (Mirador Cerro de la Cruz)

Located high up over San Juan la Laguna is Mirador Kaqasiiwaan or Mirador Cerro de la Cruz as it’s also known. As the name suggests, you’ll recognize the hill for its large cross at the top, now surrounded by a large, colorfully painted decked area ideal for resting and enjoying the view.

Mirador Kaqasiiwaan offers stunning views of San Juan la Laguna, a little bit of San Pedro as well as the entire western side of Lake Atitlan and the three volcanoes. Climbing to the top is easily one of the best things to do in San Juan la Laguna.

The trailhead to San Juan la Laguna Mirador starts here. You’ll soon come across a booth where you’ll need to pay a Q20 entrance fee. You’ll then make your way up paved stairs to the top. Even the stairs have been painted in the unique motifs of the Tz’utujil Maya of San Juan.

While it’s not a long hike, it can be a sweaty one, especially on a hot day so make sure to bring water with you as there isn’t much at the top.

8. Admire the view from the Docks

San Juan’s docks are often a hub of activity especially when boats come and go picking up and putting down passengers. While the view from San Juan la Laguna Mirador might be the best in town, the lake views from the docks aren’t bad either.

Make sure not to miss them as you arrive at San Juan la Laguna Lake Atitlan.

9. Learn about the Mayan Bees

One of the most unique things to do in San Juan la Laguna Solola is to learn about Guatemala’s ancestral Mayan bees. Guatemala is home to some 30+ species of Mayan bees, bees that have lived in this area for centuries. These tiny, bees are stingless bees, known as ‘meliponas’.

They have been cherished by the Mayan people for centuries, revered not just for their honey but also for their role in the environment as proficient pollinators. The honey from these bees has a very unique flavor and is also known for its medicinal properties.

One of the best places to learn about the stingless Mayan bees is the Mundo de Abejas Mayas. At this cultural center, you’ll be able to find out more about the bees, about traditional beekeeping methods that have been passed down for centuries, and be able to taste the unique honey the bees produce.

10. Participate in a Mayan Cacao Ceremony and Chocolate Workshop

Coffee isn’t the only crop produced in the area, the banks of Lake Atitlan also grow some of Guatemala’s best cacao. One of the best things to do in San Juan is to sample the area’s finest chocolate.

One of the best places to do it in San Juan is Licor Marron Chocolate. Here you can learn about the whole bean-to-bar process and try some of their best homemade, organic chocolate.

They also do chocolate tours where you can learn more about the growing, harvesting, and fermenting process as well as chocolate workshops where you can make your bar.

Here you can also participate in a local Mayan Cacao Ceremony and learn more about the role of drinking cacao in the Mayan culture.

11. Watch the Sunrise from the Top of the Indian Nose (and do the hike)

The Indian Nose Hike is a breathtaking adventure (quite literally), that allows you to experience some of Guatemala’s natural splendor. Starting from San Juan la Laguna, this hike is renowned for its spectacular sunrise views over Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes.

The hike, while moderately challenging, is a rewarding journey through lush landscapes, with the trail winding through coffee plantations and traditional Mayan villages.

At the summit, as the sun begins to break past the horizon, lighting up the magical vista in front of you, little else matters. The view is truly magical and one of the most enchanting experiences we had in Guatemala.

Despite the very early start, I highly recommend booking an Indian Nose Sunrise Private Hike. Going with a local guide we learned a lot about the area and honestly, I couldn’t imagine trying to navigate the steep hiking trail myself in the dark. It’s not easy.

Book the best private Indian’s Nose Sunrise Hike Tour here.

12. Try Temazcal, a Traditional Mayan Sauna

Temazcal is an ancient Mesoamerican sauna ritual as well as a profound healing and spiritual practice, deeply rooted in indigenous cultures, including the Maya. The traditional Temezcal ceremony involves going into a stone igloo-shaped structure where heated stones are doused with water, creating steam infused with medicinal herbs.

Generally, there is also a shaman to guide a ritual that involves chanting and prayer fostering a communal experience.

In San Juan la Laguna, you can also try a Temezcal experience, without the shaman however. Both Eco-hotel Uxlabil and Eco-Hotel Mayachik, listed below, offer Temezcal sauna for a small extra fee. It’s a lovely space to create for yourself to relax, make time for self-care, and get closer to ancient Mayan rituals.

13. Go Kayaking

One of the best things to do in San Juan de la Laguna and on Lake Atitlan, in general, is to go kayaking. In San Juan, you’ll find spots to rent kayaks by the docks, where for a small fee you’ll be able to take to the waters of Lake Atitlan for a few hours.

Kayaking will allow you to discover some hidden gems right on the shores of the lake and you’ll be able to see both San Juan and San Pedro from a different perspective.

14. Visit the Surrounding Mayan Towns

San Juan de la Laguna isn’t the only town to visit in Lake Atitlan. I highly recommend you don’t just see San Juan. There are many things to do in Lake Atitlan and other Mayan towns that surround the shores of the lake.

Some of the most popular towns to visit are:

San Pedro la Laguna – A popular backpacker town on Lake Atitlan with tons of activities, restaurants and cafes. It’s right next to San Juan and takes just 15 minutes to walk over, or a 5-minute tuk-tuk ride. Read more here.

San Marcos – A laid-back, more hippy kinda town with many retreats, yoga schools, expats, and nomads. Read more here.

Santa Cruz la Laguna – A lovely, authentic Mayan town located up the hill from Lake Atitlan Guatemala. It definitely deserves a wander. Some of the best hotels in Lake Atitlan are located near here.

Panajachel – The busiest town on Lake Atitlan and the main embarkation point for boats around the lake.

Santa Catarina Palopó– A beautiful little lakeside town, home of the Kaqchikel Maya people. Another great place to shop for textiles.

Where to Stay in San Juan Guatemala

Rustic-chic is what you can expect from accommodation in San Juan la Laguna. There aren’t any really luxury accommodations here but you’ll be able to find lovely yet basic, eco-friendly boutique hotels with incredible views over the lake.

If you’re looking for more luxurious options on Lake Atitlan, I highly recommend taking a look at Casa Prana, Laguna Lodge Eco-resort, and La Fortuna Atitlan however they are located on the northern side of Lake Atitlan- a short and easy boat ride away.

Eco- Hotel Uxlabil – This is where we stayed during our time in San Juan Laguna. This eco-chic hotel beautifully celebrated local Mayan design and decor. Rooms here are basic but there’s enough for a very pleasant stay. The best part of the hotel is the lakeside location and sublime lake views almost everywhere you go. Check rates and book here.

Eco-Hotel Mayachik´ – Located on the hilltop just above town, this lovely little eco-hotel is full of rustic wooden bungalows to stay in and is surrounded by nature. There’s also a great veggie restaurant on site and daily yoga classes. They also organise local tours and hikes and have a Temazcal sauna on-site. Find out more here

Where to Eat + Drink in San Juan Laguna

El Gato Perdido – One of the best San Juan la Laguna restaurants for dinner, El Gato Perdido, is a solid choice in town run by a local family. Their menu has a variety of great sandwiches, burgers, salads, pizza as well as meat and seafood dishes. Great food and service!

Alma de Colores Cafe + Restaurant – A great spot for lunch, with a varied menu of meat, fish, pasta, burritos and other Mexican-style dishes. Good options for vegetarians too.

Cafe San Juan – Looking for the best coffee in San Juan? This is one of the best places in town for coffee and to buy coffee as mentioned above. They also have a decent selection of food too such as great breakfast items like pancakes and crepes as well as burritos and tacos.

El Artesano Queso y Vino – For one of the best aperitivos in town, head to this lovely spot. With idyllic outdoor seating they specialise in charcuterie and cheese boards as well as wine. All are locally made. A must!

Are you ready to visit San Juan la Laguna? Let me know all your questions and comments below. I always love hearing from you!

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