22 Unmissable Things to Do in Lake Atitlan Guatemala
Lake Atitlan is a beautiful place and a must-visit in any Central America or Guatemala itinerary. Find out all the best things to do in Lake Atitlan for a perfect trip.
Before visiting Guatemala and Lake Atitlan a few months ago, I had few expectations for this small, Central American country. What awaited us however was a country very rich in culture, colour and traditions. Not only that but Guatemala is one of the best places to visit in Central America for nature, adventure and also wellness.
Guatemala is nowhere near as well visited as Mexico or Costa Rica yet for this reason there is so much waiting to still explore and uncover.
After exploring all the things to do in Antigua Guatemala, you’ll want to make your way across to Lake Atitlan for some unique stays, breathtaking scenery, indigenous culture and great food. Many travellers add Lake Atitlan to their bucket lists due to its proximity to the tourism hub, Antigua.
There are so many things to do in Lake Atitlan for every kind of traveller. Whether you’re looking to relax in an incredible boutique hotel with stunning lake views and take it easy or you’re looking for a bit more adventure or to learn about the local Mayan culture, there is something here for everyone.
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GET IN
You’ll most likely be coming to Lake Atitlan from the travel hub of Antigua Guatemala. There are quite a few ways to get to Lake Atitlan depending on your budget but they are generally pretty affordable.
Most transportation to Lake Atitlan will go to Panajachel. From there make your way down to the main pier to get a boat taxi to your final destination on the lake.
Minivan Transfer: This is the most comfortable and most popular way to travel to Panajachel in Lake Atitlan. Transfers can be pre-booked at a number of different tour companies in Antigua and cost about $15 each way.
The minivans will drop you off close to the pier where you can get a boat taxi. This is the best option if you have a bit more luggage and you want to travel comfortably. Minivan transfers will also pick you up from your hotel in Antigua, making this the most convenient option.
Bus: If you’d like a truly local experience on a unique Guatemalan chicken bus, then this option is also available. Buses depart from the bus station in Antigua heading to Panajachel where they’ll drop you off in the city limits. From there you’ll have to walk down to the pier.
Private transfer: If you prefer a private transfer, they are also available. The best way to organise this is through your hotel either in Antigua or your Lake Atitlan hotel.
Boat: After arriving in Panajachel you’ll have to take a boat to your onward destination town on the lake. All you need to do is say the name of your destination hotel or town to the boat drivers and they will direct you to the next available boat.
You’ll have the option of getting a public boat taxi or a private boat transfer which cost considerably more.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE ATITLAN
Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve
My favourite place to stay in all of Lake Atitlan, Laguna Lodge is a magnificent property offering sublime lake and volcano views, charming spacious rooms and fantastic service.
Opt for the two-bedroom villa (Kucumatz Villa) and you’ll get a luxury suite beautifully decorated with local Guatemalan decor and art, a private terrace and sweeping views of Lake Atitlan and two of its volcanoes.
Your stay also includes breakfast and a vegetarian 4-course dinner which was nothing short of delicious- in fact, Laguna Lodge’s restaurant is the only exclusively vegetarian restaurant in any hotel or resort in Lake Atitlan.
Also included in your stay is access to Laguna Lodge’s private reserve located around the back of the hotel. This space is preserved in order to let plant and wildlife species in the area flourish. Their wonderful spa will also take care of all your relaxation needs.
Our stay here was nothing short of amazing, the location, views, food and staff are all incredible and Laguna Lodge is a must-stay when in Lake Atitlan.
Check availability and book directly here.
Casa Prana
Another sublime property right on the lake and only accessible by boat, Casa Prana features gorgeous, ancestral rooms, a garden and a pool with dramatic lake views. They also grow their own vegetables on-site and all food here is organic and locally sourced.
The grounds here are absolutely stunning and perfect for anyone who’s design-obsessed.
Check availability and book here booking.com | hotels.com
Lush Atitlan
Located in San Marcos de Laguna, Lush is a lovely, vine-covered, boutique hotel right on Lake Atitlan, with incredible views all around.
With a simple design incorporating Guatemalan design and motifs, this gorgeous hotel is perfect for anyone wanting to slow down and spend some peaceful moments in stunning Lake Atitlan.
Check availability and book here booking.com
Hotel Casa Palopo
Another stunning, luxury option in Sololá Lake Atitlan- this gorgeous hotel is the perfect base for exploring Santa Catarina Palopo. Each room comes with a balcony overlooking the lake where you can drink your morning coffee to the sun coming up over the still lake.
Rooms are modern yet have a touch of Guatemalan design essence and the service here is top-notch.
Check availability and book here booking.com | hotels.com
Arca de Noé
A lovely little property just by the Santa Cruz la Laguna Pier- the perfect location to stay for a night if you want to go SUPing the next morning or to hike the Lower Atitlan trail.
It’s the perfect locally owned, budget stay with cosy, stone rooms and a beautiful garden out front to relax in and admire the exquisite lake views. The restaurant is also great and the chef is brilliant at catering to vegetarians and vegans.
Check availability and book here booking.com | hotels.com
TOP THINGS TO DO IN LAKE ATITLAN
Lake Atitlan has so many things to do and see from village hoping and cultural experiences to more active excursions and hikes. There literally is so many things to do in Lake Atitlan that I highly recommend staying at least 3 full days to get the best experience. If you can extend your stay then 5-7 days around the lake is best.
1. Sunrise SUP
One of the best activities that’ll get you on the water, SUP is becoming one of the most popular water activities in Lake Atitlan.
It’s one of the best ways to see a different part of the lake from a different perspective and get some exercise at the same time. SUP is also one of my favourite things to do for improving core strength and spending time in nature and in this case surrounded by amazing volcanic scenery.
Take an early morning tour on the lake or simply rent a board, paddle out and even sit down on the board for your morning meditation right on the water.
The best place to do SUP is around San Marcos and Santa Cruz la Laguna.
For SUP rentals and tours check out SUP Atitlan in Santa Cruz and GuateSUP in Panajachel.
2. Climb to Mirador Cerro de la Cruz
Right above San Juan La Laguna, you’ll find the Cerro de la Cruz Mirador from which you’ll get some of the best views of Lake Atitlan without breaking too much of a sweat.
You can easily walk to the trailhead by putting in ‘Mirador Kaqasiiwaan, San Juan La Laguna’ on Google Maps and following the app’s directions.
There’s a small fee to get in and once you’ve paid at the entrance continue climbing up to the top. At the top, there is a colourfully painted platform full of local motifs and images.
You can relax here while enjoying the magnificent views. For the best views and light make your way up as close to sunrise or sunset as possible and try to do it on a clear day.
3. Learn about coffee making in Cafe San Juan
While you’re in San Juan la Laguna, why not stick around and do some shopping and coffee drinking? Right next to San Juan’s pier you’ll find Cafe San Juan, a local cafe with some of the best coffee in the area.
They grow and make their own coffee from grain to cup. The beans are grown in the mountains around town and also behind the cafe. In another corner of the cafe, staff will be roasting the beans ready for sale or brew.
If you speak Spanish the staff here are more than happy to tell you more about the coffee-making process and how they make their own. You can then buy a cup of coffee to taste it and buy a bag of beans or ground coffee to take with you.
We can rarely say we know exactly how and where our coffee at home is sourced but here you can finally have a cup that’s truly local and responsibly sourced. We did and looking back now, it was some of the best coffee we had in Guatemala.
It’s also a great cafe to just have a coffee and relax in for a few minutes before moving on.
4. Take a Yoga Class in San Marcos
While you can take yoga classes in many places around Lake Atitlan and I highly suggest you do, San Marcos is the new age spiritual hub of Lake Atitlan. Here you’ll find the most and often the best places to flow.
Base yourself in San Marcos for a few days where you can wake up early and flow to the sound of nature with Lake Atitlan right in front of you.