A Guide to Lake Atitlan
One of my favorite places in the world that surprised me is Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. This gorgeous lake is surrounded by three lovely volcanoes, has dozens of tiny villages, and is one of the most relaxing places I’ve been.
When I set off to explore Guatemala, I went for one reason, to hike Volcan Acatenango. However, I was encouraged by many backpackers I met in Mexico to also stop at Lake Atitlan and not just the city of Antigua. So I listened. I planned to be at the lake for four days, but my stay turned into two weeks. After that, I had no desire to leave.
Lake Atitlan is a bit of a hidden gem. There are a lot of hippies and laidback backpackers who visit and end up staying for weeks, months, and sometimes years. It has become a backpackers and expat paradise, especially the villages of San Marcos, San Pedro, and Panajachel.
As a traveler, I always think about the places I would go back to. Lake Atitlan is one of them. So, if you are planning to visit Guatemala, consider visiting the Lake and its villages. You will not regret it.
You will quickly realize that each village has a different vibe. However, all villages have lovely views, local culture, fun outdoor activities, and a relaxed vibe.
If you are ready to experience all of that, here is a guide to Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
A Guide to Lake Atitlan
Table of Contents
The Villages in Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan has 11 villages that surround it. Panajachel is the main village with the largest population and where most people arrive to. Getting around the villages is mainly done by taxi boat, but can also be done by tuk-tuk or car. Some villages are more popular among travelers, but you’ll quickly notice that each village feels different and fits different personalities. I’ll describe the most popular ones below.
San Pedro
San Pedro is the social village best known for its nightlife. If you are looking to make friends, you can head here. There is an array of hostels and hotels as well as activities to do. This village sits at the volcano’s base, so you won’t get those fantastic views of it. However, it’s where you can do most outdoor activities. It also caters well to tourists with the most tours, restaurants, hostels, and more.
San Marcos
This village is where you will find many hippies and relaxed backpackers. There are more vegetarian choices, and you can practice yoga, go on retreats, and anything of that sort. What I liked best about this village was the incredible view of the volcanoes. So, I chose to book a room with a view at the edge of the lake. Although, there are many hostels and hotels further into the village. It also has many restaurant and cafe options.
San Juan
This village has a more local feel and is very laid back. Therefore, it’s the best village for Spanish lessons because you will find more of a local community and fewer expats living there. So, if If you are looking to rest, this is where you can go.
Santa Cruz
Many backpackers visit Santa Cruz as more of a retreat and spend one or two nights there. There isn’t much to do besides being lakeside on a hammock.
There are more villages, but they don’t have much to do for tourists. However, if you spend a lot of time by the lake, you can explore them all.
A Guide to Lake Atitlan
What to do in Lake Atitlan
Despite Lake Atitlan feeling small, there are many things to do. To start, if you are there for several days, you can hop around the villages to get a feel for each one. Of course, each will have different things to do. But no matter where you choose to stay, here are the things you can do at Lake Atitlan.
Hike Indian's Nose at Sunrise
One of the most popular activities at Lake Atitlan is to hike Indian’s Nose. This is a short 30-minute hike done at sunrise and offers the most incredible views of the lake and the three volcanoes. It’s worth waking up early too!
To get to the viewpoint, you will have to pay a 50Q entrance fee. There’s no way around it, and it’s best not to try to sneak around. In Guatemala, there are stories of people getting robbed when they try to hike on their own without paying these fees. The summit is 2,238m (7,342 ft) above sea level, and the wake-up call is at 3 am.
Your best choice is to hire a guide in town. A tour can cost anywhere from 150Q to 200Q ($19.40-$25.86). Go to different agencies for the best price or book directly with your hotel or hostel.
Drink Coffee
One thing I didn’t know about Guatemala is that it grows some of the best coffee in the world. This is because of the higher elevation, meaning this area of Guatemala grows excellent coffee. Make sure to stop at one of the coffee shops or take a local coffee tour offered in the villages.
Go Kayaking
Lake Atitlan has been one of my favorite places I’ve kayaked at. For just 15Q ($1.94), you can kayak for a whole hour around the lake! You will be rewarded with amazing views of the three volcanoes in the village, but you will also see the further ones near Antigua. While I was kayaking, I saw Volcan Fuego erupting from far away. If you prefer, you can try stand-up paddleboarding too.
A Guide to Lake Atitlan
Take Yoga Classes
San Marcos is the place for practicing yoga. People come to this village for all things earthy, such as yoga, vegetarian food, fitness classes, meditation, massages, astrology, and more. Although I didn’t do yoga there, many of the people I met did.
Hike Volcan Pedro
If you’re an adventurous hiker and you are up for the challenge, you can hike to the summit of Volcan Pedro. It’s a bit strenuous and takes anywhere from 3-5 hours to climb, depending on your fitness level. Sunrise is a popular time to go to avoid the clouds. Later than that, the clouds might obstruct the view.
Most people told me Indian’s Nose had better views, but you should hike it if you have the time. Don’t forget to wear proper shoes and warm clothes. The hike is 8km (5mi) and sits at 1,371m (4,500 ft) above sea level.
Guide to Lake Atitlan
Lay on a Hammock in Santa Cruz
The place to be for views of the volcanoes is San Marcos. You can go here to lay in a hammock and to do absolutely nothing. There is not much to do, so it’s perfect if you want to relax. Lake Atitlan is an ideal place for those who enjoy these types of kickback experiences.
Go Cliff Jumping in San Marcos
You can go cliff jumping at Cerro Tzankunjil Nature Reserve in San Marcos if you are a daredevil. Once you pay the 15Q entrance fee, you walk down the trail that leads to the platform. Then, follow the signs that say “trampoline” near the boat dock station. I’m not afraid of heights, but let me tell you, the jump size is intimidating, especially for someone who has never done it before. It must have been about 15 meters high (45ft).
Cliff jumping was an excellent experience for me, but it was crazy. If you want to cliff jump for the first time, this is on the higher end of scary, in my opinion, so I only did it once. You’re supposed to jump in pencil position, but I landed wrong. So, my bottom was red and in pain for the rest of the day. However, it was worth it. The day we went, the platform was closed, and we had to jump from the edge of the cliff. Rumor had it someone had died a few days before. Yet there I was, jumping from the cliff. Pressure and encouragement pushed me to do so.
Experience the Nightlife in San Pedro
The main backpacker village at Lake Atitlan is San Pedro. This village has the most bars and hostels. Zoola and Sublime are popular spots to visit and some of the hostels on that main street. If you want to have fun and meet new people, go to Mr. Mullet’s hostel. I stayed at this hostel and had such fun with all their planned events.
Take Spanish Classes
Guatemala is one of the most popular places in all of Latin America for taking Spanish classes. Just walking around, you can see there are so many places and locals that offer them. Because I have a special kind of love for Lake Atitlan, I recommend taking classes here rather than in Antigua.
Best Time to Visit
Lake Atitlan has a wet and dry season. The dry season is from November to April. During this time, it’s warm and sunny, but there are more visitors. The wet season is from May to October. The amount of rain can vary and doesn’t last long. However, during the rainy season, there are travel disruptions such as the common landslides. On the other hand, the rates are lower, and there are fewer people.
I went during the rainy season, and in fact, there was a landslide that caused a significant delay getting to Lake Atitlan from Chiapas, Mexico. So we had to sit three extra hours at the borderland crossing and about one hour at the landslide. We got lucky because we were initially told we were not getting through, and we’d either stay at the border or sleep on the shuttle. The over 15-hour ride made us some new friends on the shuttle, though.
Where to Stay
In San Pedro, I recommend Mr. Mullet’s Hostel. This is a new hostel but quickly became well known by backpackers because of its social atmosphere. I ended up staying nearly two weeks and met some fantastic people here. Plus, they have an excellent breakfast, and they treat you like family. However, if you prefer something quieter, you can stay at El Delfin Hotel that sits in front of the lake.
I visited San Marcos to get away from the wild nights in San Pedro and to rest. My plan was to have views of the volcano so I treated myself to a nice hotel in front of the lake. I stayed at Tul Y Sol, which had a perfect view of the lake and volcanoes. There are also many hostels around the village if you are on a budget.
In Panajachel, I stayed one night at Dreamboat Hostel. It has a fantastic social atmosphere and a view of the lake and the volcanoes in front.
How to Get Around Lake Atitlan
The best way to get around the villages by the lake is by taxi boat or lanchas. When you arrive, it will most likely be in the main town of Panajachel. However, it is possible to arrive directly at the village of San Pedro too. Within some of the villages, it is possible to get around by tuk-tuk. The best way will still be by taxi boat.
The price from Panajachel to the different villages will vary. The most popular one to visit is San Pedro, which will cost 25Q. San Marcos will cost you 20Q from Panajachel. From San Marcos to San Pedro, the cost is 10Q. A tuk-tuk ride around the villages will cost you about 5Q, less than $1. One thing to know is that you will pay more than the locals do as a tourist, and there’s no point in arguing about this.
Is Lake Atitlan Safe?
Growing up in the U.S, I always heard about how dangerous Central America is. So, I was nervous about traveling there alone. I was traveling solo through Mexico and was hoping to find another backpacker to go with me.
Eventually, a girl I had met contacted me because she felt the same way. So, she caught up to me in Chiapas, Mexico, and we set off by land, crossing into Guatemala.
Our plan to be there a total of 10 days turned into about three weeks in the country. Neither of us wanted to leave.
The truth is, we felt safe throughout the country. But I believe the same precautions need to be taken when it comes to safety.
In Lake Atitlan, there are reported crimes of robbery on the hiking trails. Consider going on tours or with a guide instead of alone. It’s preferable to not be out alone at night and to stay in popular tourist destinations.
I didn’t feel unsafe, but there were times I thought I needed to be aware of my belongings and not display myself as a tourist with valuables.
Guatemala used to be more dangerous at one point, but now you can feel comfortable traveling around. I’m sure I would feel fine traveling alone as a female had my friend not been around. As a female, I noticed I didn’t get as much attention or cat-called as other Latin American countries. This was a plus for me.
If you want to make friends to feel safer in Guatemala, I recommend staying in a hostel.
What to Pack for Guatemala
A Guide to Lake Atitlan
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
A Guide to Lake Atitlan
