Where to Stay in Lake Atitlan Guatemala - The Best Areas & Hotels And, as crazy as it sounds, we have had people ask if there are crocodiles in Lake Atitlan. The tour starts in Panajachel and the hike will take you past a sacred Mayan site before finishing in the traditional town of Solol with lunch at a local comedor. We always stay at Pasajcap Rentals when were in Guatemala, partially because it has such easy access to a terrific swimming area. It is definitely off the main tourist trail and is a great place to get somewhat off the grid and experience a more traditional and tourist free Guatemala as well as go on some hikes in the surrounding area. And while the lake itself is impressive, it's the traditional Mayan villages surrounding the lake that really got my attention. No matter what, though, make sure to take advantage of the delightful rope swing about 2/3 of the way up, especially if you have a soft spot for feeling like a 7-year old kid in a nostalgic 1950s drama. At least twice a week both companies offer triple saldo, when you receive 3Q of calling credit for every 1Q you purchase. Cerro Tzankujil is a beautiful nature reserve nestled on the shores of Lake Atitlan Guatemala, just to the west of San Marcos village. Here are just a few of our favourite choices for places to eat in Lake Atitlan and what each specializes in: Now, for some advice on how to spend your time. The region encompasses the lake and the towns around them. A faster direct one that cuts across the middle of the lake and the one that goes along the edge past the villages of Santa Cruz, Jaibalito, Tzununa, San Marcos and San Juan before stopping in San Pedro. Or you could follow our example and stay for 1-3 months to truly soak it all in. But he still said it, just ask around. It's generally considered safe to swim in Lake Atitlan. We book the majority of our hotels on Booking.com. Anyone with a relatively new smartphone can buy them online, download them by scanning a QR code and buy a data package specific to anywhere in the world. The platforms and rock outcroppings at Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve by San Marcos is another great place to swim. This popular beach completely disappeared for a few years when the Lake Atitlan water level went way up but as it slowly dropped again, plain little Playa las Cristalinas has once again appeared. Lake Atitln Tours: Guided Kayaking, Biking and Hiking Trips Along with enjoying the fabulous scenery all the way around the lake, this 6-hour tour includes stops in traditional Santiago Atitln, gorgeous San Juan la Laguna and local coffee plantations and textile shops. We do it every day! to I wouldnt touch that water with one of your lesser appendages.. They also rent kayaks and paddleboards if youre looking to mix it up. We have had many people visit over the years and manage to usually fit in the highlights during a very busy week trip. It has a great fruit and vegetable market twice a week and lots of excellent restaurants. Try to get there in the morning as things tend to start packing up by lunch. We have made it our mission to seek out the most spectacular hiking and epic long-distance treks the world has to offer. Its easy to see the sunset in Lake Atitlan but it is also well worth getting up early enough to see the sun come over the edge of the caldera and slowly light up the sky and volcanoes. Everyone speaks some Spanish, however. making things up): Another great benefit is how many other interesting destinations there are within easy driving distance. Drinks and food are readily available in the restaurant and the atmosphere is exactly what a lot of Central American backpackers are looking for. From most parts of the lake Volcan San Pedro looks the biggest even though Volcan Atitlan is actually higher. Weve been swimming in Lake Atitlan since 2010 and most mornings are calm and gorgeous, perfect for a long exercise swim, some adventurous cliff jumping or maybe just some relaxing floating. THE 10 BEST Lake Atitlan Hotels with a Pool - Tripadvisor However, there are three specific hikes that stand above the rest in popularity. Ultimate Guide to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan Guatemala - A Taste for Travel It is definitely the next big thing on Lake Atitlan. If you are short on time, the easiest way to see multiple villages quickly is to hire a private boat. It is a great place to wander among the hundreds of brightly painted buildings featuring traditional patterns and symbols and has become a very popular day trip destination (second only to San Juan). 1. The men, unsurprisingly, seem less concerned, most wearing jeans and t-shirts (sometimes button-up shirts). San Antonio is a small village that is known for its weaving and distinctive blue, green and white pottery. Lake Atitln in Central America, a volcanic lake in Guatemala But we did meet three people who got pretty serious bacterial rashes from swimming in Lake Atitlan, so that was enough to make us really question it before we dove in. Cerro Tzankujil. It is a great place to take a tour and learn how each piece is made by hand. Then in the morning you can hike up to the summit of Acatenango for yet another angle of this extraordinary phenomenon. If you are an early riser you rent a paddleboard the night before and head out for a sunrise paddle on the lake. Every post has been written by us based on our personal experience (no sponsored posts), and every adventure is our own, even the boring ones. San Pedro is the best place to find a little light-hearted competition in the form of poker tournaments, trivia contests, bars with rotating specials or seeing who can craft the most convincing lies to impress that group of encouragingly drunk German girls. The lake sits in a huge volcanic crater and is surrounded by not one but three volcanos. Not wade, or frolic, or splash around giddily, or just bake in the sun in a lawn chair. Even if the shuttle says that they go to San Marcos or San Pedro, they often drop you off in Pana and put you on a boat to finish the trip. There are nice walking paths, fantastic views, comfortable lounging areas and, best of all, several platforms specifically designed for leaping into the lake (known as las trampolinas). To be honest, I only really know the basics of Guatemalan history Mayans, Spanish colonialism, invasive capitalism, war atrocities, drug cartel issues, drawing the ire of the USA (like everyone). Many of the lake's hotels and resorts boast swimming areas and docks, and some of the towns also have public swimming areas. Each of the villages have great cafes but favuorites are Crossroads in Pana, Circles in San Marcos and Caf La Cabana in San Juan (this one has the best views and a swing with wings). La Nariz del Indio (Indian Nose) or Rostro Maya. The last one in the other direction leaves later for some reason, usually around 8 pm. 10 Epic Towns in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala (All My Favorite Villages) Volcan Atitlan was active most recently of the 3 volcanoes and had a dozen eruptions between 1469 and 1853 with the most recent eruption being in May 1853. Be aware, its not quick, a scarf will take 8 hours. You should definitely check it out to decide for yourself. Each town around Lake Atitlan is nestled into the mountainsides (or volcano-side), with perfect views of the sparkling blue water and green mountainsides. Not a bad idea, either, although I personally like to be able to dive down if necessary without anything holding me to the surface. Lake Atitln - Wikitravel And it gets VERY busy at Easter (Semana Santa). 6. Click the star to save this map to your Google Maps then find it under Saved/Maps (mobile) or Your Places/Maps (desktop). From minor religious days to sprawling annual village ferias (fairs) that can last several weeks, Guatemalans love their festivals. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Required fields are marked *. Honestly, I was fine after swimming . None bigger, of course, than the Easter celebrations that draw huge crowds to the lake each year. They have been unfailingly helpful every time we use one. But it will also give you an appreciation for the work that goes into it when you are haggling for your souvenirs. So Panajachel, San Pedro, and Santa Cruz are the three areas we heard to stay out of. But health organizations urge you to be cautious due to the bacteria the fish in Lake Atitlan consume. This place on the south bank of the lake is especially popular with those who want to climb one of the two volcanoes, Tolimn and Atitln. It is always best to know the price and have exact change as being overcharged is common. Ok, now that weve covered all the practicalities of swimming in Lake Atitlan, its finally time for the fun stuff. One of the top experiences in Guatemala is the overnight Volcan Acatenango hike to watch the spectacular eruptions of Volcan Fuego. Or you can buy a USB stick with data that plugs directly into your laptop. Our favorite post hike stop for a refreshing beer is the upstairs terrace at Qaas Utz in San Juan. What about the temperature of the water? The lanchas of Lake Atitlan buzz back and forth between the villages constantly from morning until night. Most people pass through on the popular hike from Santa Cruz to San Marcos and those looking for peace and quiet often stay longer. The best spots to swim in Lake Atitlan are located where the least traffic of boats occurs. Guatemala - Kayaking Lake Atitlan With Stunning Volcano Views There are no "rules" for swimming in Lake Atitlan - except don't swim around the boat traffic, because you will piss the boat drivers off if they hit you. There are yoga classes and trainings around the lake. But it is important to take precautions. This monster stands sentinel directly above the most popular backpacker hangout on the lake, the eponymous San Pedro la Laguna. It's famous for its prime location on the shores of teardrop-shaped Lake Atitlan set among a necklace of volcanoes in the Sierra Madre Sur mountains of Guatemala, Central America. The beauty, the slower pace of life, the practically interminable service in restaurants they all tie in with what most visitors love most about the place. Lake Atitlan, also known as Lago de Atitlan, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. An ancient crater lake surrounded by volcanoes, steep hills and traditional Mayan villages. Casa del Mundo is a nice mid-range hotel about a 15-minute walk out of Jaibalito. If you're traveling alone in Lake Atitlan, spending time in the Nature Reserve is a great way to deepen your solo travel experience. Besides the phenomenal volcanic scenery, the weather is probably the biggest draw of the area. We can highly recommend Spanish Classes with Rebeca, an excellent teacher who has provided private lessons to us and several others at Pasaj-Cap over the last few years. 1. This hike starts in the village of San Juan la Laguna and is shorter than San Pedro, taking most between 1 1/2 to 2 hours to reach the top and slightly less to get back down. Hike in groups we hike 3-5 times a week but always make sure we are in group.