When the Spaniards arrived in 1524, they conqueredIximchand other nearby Maya cities, actually declaringIximchas the first capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala. Its not only the safest option but youll also learn all about the area. Located Santa Cruz La Laguna, 10 minutes from Panajachel, only accessible by boat. Youll be speaking and writing with your teacher, and the chance to converse for hours on end with a local resident makes you feel more included and at home in the country. That route takes about an hour to get to San Pedro but Santa Cruz is the first stop (10-15 minutes, depending on how rough the lake is). So come find whatever your heart desires! Pregnant women often had healing sessions and even gave birth in theTemezcal,due to its proposed connections to the womb. Click here to see prices for La Iguana Perdida. You dont actually need to be staying at Free Cerveza to enjoy their nightly parties. Most people take the public boat (lancha) from Panajachel (15 minutes / 10Q). Everyone in Guatemala speaks Spanish (except for maybe a few old timers in very rural locations). Hike the Mayan Trail from Santa Cruz la Laguna, 6. We even had a group evening meal one night, cooked by our teachers, followed by aZumba-like dance party! guidance. Sit at a bar overlooking the street while you sip your coffee, journal, and watch tuk-tuks and pedestrians go by. CafCristalinas, Language school/homestay, cooking lessons/weaving co-op,IglesaCatolica, boat transportation to all other towns, swimming spots, niche/eclectic international restaurants. Atitlan is also one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen. To reserve any of these, email: reservations@amigosdesantacruz.org or call 3020-7961. The beautiful ridge hike between Santa Cruz and San Marcos is one of our two or three favourite hikes on the lake. We went to Guatemala for a Guatemala experience! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were Dean and Laynni, two Canadians who quit our jobs to travel in 2008 and have been exploring phenomenal destinations around the globe ever since. I actually won a limbo contest that had me enjoying free drinks all night! The textiles are so Just imagine you are sitting in a Mayan home, the woman of the house is an expert with Mayan Backstrap Weaving Adrenaline & Extreme Tours Hiking & Camping Tours, Hike in pristine Forest, a view from above Atitlan, Lake Atitlan Lower Mayan Trail Hiking Tour from Panajachel, Stand Up Paddle Board or Kayak and Extreme Zipline Adventure from Panajachel. We still find it useful for money transfers to Pasajcap, however, and we can now send and receive money in half a dozen different currencies, convert to dozens more with no exchange premium and pay or withdraw local currencies. Every village on Lake Atitlan has its own character and at least one or two good reasons for a visit. Yes, you can swim in Lake Atitlan all year round so long as there are no algae blooms. If you don't like different and an adventure, then I would suggest you don't experience this. San Marcosis best-known by tourists as a hippy-home. All the ingredients are included in the price, youll learn plenty about the local culture and once again get to eat your creation. The hotel is;t cheap so if youre on a budget, youll prefer Lush Atitln which comes with similar luxury features but is almost half the price. Your experience of Guatemalan life is not complete without shopping at the local open-air market. Pituya, or dragon fruit, is available at any market, and of course, mangoes andaguacate(avocado) will be consumed en masse. You can check out all of the hotels and hostels in San Pedro on Booking.com. Lake Atitlan draws visitors for its world-famous hiking, and in Santa Cruz you have an array of hiking options, including day-long treks full of spectacular lake views through temperate forests and into the hinterland villages and shorter jaunts alongside pristine waterfalls. The Best Place to be in peace Lake Atitlan - Atitlan Sunset Lodge Click here to see prices for Atitlan Sunset Lodge. If you need a break from unblocking your chakras, you can easily head over toCerroTzankujilNature Reserve, the next place on the list! Classes start at 10amand begin with a trip down to the local market for fresh ingredients, and last 3-5 hours as you learn how to cook three typical Guatemalan recipes. TheTemazcalis meant to serve three purposes: The first is bathing for health. 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Write a review See all photos About Your base camp for exploring Lake Atitlan Guatemala. If you are relying on public transportation your main choices are tourist shuttle or chicken bus to Panajachel. CECAP (El Centro de Capacitacin), located in the upper village, is a terrific local organization that offers local education, tourist classes and even has an excellent caf. A typical program will have you taking one-on-one lessons with a personal language teacher for 4 hours in the morning, after which they send you off to explore! Enjoy your privacy in a peacefull bay. TheTemazcalis meant to symbolize the womb, so, therefore, is typically a low, rounded structure constructed of stones and clay. We had a great morning with Ever. The strenuous hiking is well worth it for the connection to nature, the bird watching, and the wonderful views you'll get a long the way. What timing! Thanks Alfredo for such a memorable experience. Their tours start at only $45 USD but they also offer a lake crossing tour for $120 USD. To help you narrow it down, Ive prepared a list of 23 of the best things you can do around the renowned shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Lake Atitlan is one of the safer places to visit in Guatemala. The route is very popular, and shuttles can be booked in advance. I asked one of the weavers how long it took to make it, and she told me about a week now that is some fine handiwork! These taxis are cheap (the most expensive one costing 25Q) and cut your travel time by more than half as opposed to a tuk-tuk. The tanks in and around Bengaluru were constructed as and when the requirement of water felt e-ISSN: 2347-7830 p-ISSN: 2347-7822 Research & Reviews: Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences If you visit in March, you can also catch San Antonios annualLago de Atitln festival, one of the hottest cultural festivals in the country! San Pedro is a popular tourist hub on Lake Atitlan sitting opposite the city of Panajachel. Arranging a homestay experience is definitely one of the most authentic experiences you can have in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala! Robberies can happen in the surrounding farmland so guides are recommended when hiking. If you want to really experience the Mayan life, youll definitely want to do a homestay at some point. Kayak/Stand Up Paddleboard CerroTzankujilboasts 5-star reviews from travelers looking to spend a day relaxing in the natural environment and is easily one of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan! Haggling is common practice at markets in Guatemala. In some places you will have a view from your room or balcony but if not, it is always easy to find a dock or spot along the lake shore. Jaibalito is located on the northern shore of Lake Atitln in the Guatemalan Highlands .It is the only village on the lake that is not accessible by road. Comedoresare usually simple, open-faced buildings with plain tables and plastic chairs the decor is not the point here. The Shaman and guide came to my hotel to provide the reading. To top it all off, all the stops are pulled when it comes to the festival food. They have taken old existing maps and superimposed those maps on the google maps. If you are staying on the lake for a few weeks or more you should be able to explore them all one at a time. Two local cacao-farming businesses also hold ceremonies from time to time: Spiritual leaders Tata Pedro and Nana Marina lead ceremonies at the local family cacao businessTz-utujilin San Pedro, and the local husband-and-wife team behind cacao operation Lavalovehost Mayan ceremonies as well. Its a steep walk up but you can take a tuk tuk from the dock if you prefer to skip the walk. The second is to hike just to themirador(lookout). Afternoon rides can occasionally turn a bit adventurous. You can book on Hostelworld or Booking.com. From Guatemala City,this shuttle is the bestvalue as it can take up to 5 people for $128 USD. So it's hard to go wrong wherever you choose to visit, stay or live. This cute little town is home to a majority of locals, and foreign businesses only occupy a small portion of the lakeside. Rainy season is from May to October but even then the mornings are usually still clear and sunny, then around 11 or 12 it starts to cloud over and you can expect some afternoon rains. That would be a shame, though, as it offers a fascinating contrast to the relatively recent lakefront development. Lake Atitlan is the eternal spring of Guatemala and is a place for relaxation, beauty, bliss and party (if you know where to go). Understand Get in From Panajachel or San Pedro you can take a public "taxi" boat to Santa Cruz for 10/20Q per person. I cant say enough good things about how amazingly accommodating they were with my very last min request. And, after living on the lake for two months in early 2015, we can definitely see why! The tour on a Tuesday was arranged on the Sunday afternoon before via Whatsapp. San Pedro, San Marcos, and Panajachel are some of the most popular. Several of the hotels and restaurants are located along the Santa Cruz la Laguna lakeshore and those are easily reached on foot from the dock. 10 Free Things To Do & See Around Lake Atitlan It's the smallest of the three volcanoes in Lake Atitln, making it the shortest of the three volcano hikes. Hiking to mountaintops definitely provides spectacular aerial views, but for some, it only fuels the hunger to take that experience even farther- to the skies! But the sunsets are truly spectacular that time of year. We've actually been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a "destinationless" lifestyle! Spend time browsing Galeria de Arte Chiya or Galleria Imox for pieces you can purchase and take home with you. Required fields are marked *. Lake Atitln Map - Western Highlands, Guatemala - Mapcarta There is also a community board at Iguana Perdida where private massage therapists often post their contact info. Highly recommend! The secondary purpose of theTemazcalis for healing, enlightenment, and spirit-connection purposes. Around the lake, there are multiple towns and communities where travelers can stay, visit and explore. From the raised churchs raised grounds, I had the perfect view of the explosively colorful and noisy parade, featuring traditional dances by groups in masks, firecrackers, and live music. Iguana Perdida also has paddleboards and kayaks for rent. Maya Kitchen, located inSan Pedro. Shuttle Service - 11:00am - Guatemala City/Airport to Panajachel $25 p/p. Panajachel 2. Retreat & Wellness Center - Villa Sumaya- School of Yoga Otherwise, all destinations around the lake are easily reached by water taxi. It is also possible to shorten it a bit by stopping at Tzununa and taking a boat from there as the last half-hour to San Marcos mainly follows a dusty road out of sight of the water. Where to Stay: The Best Santa Cruz la Laguna Hotels, 14 Amazing Things to Do in Santa Cruz Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, 4. They sell beautiful products handmade by local women, including jewelry, bags, clothing and accessories. Whether you are stopping for a short visit and want the best scenery possible or are looking for a place to settle in for awhile (and still want the best scenery), then Santa Cruz la Laguna is a great choice. There are several ATMs in Panajachel but just one ATM in Santa Cruz in the upper village. Personally, I ended my ascent here, as the views were simply mesmerizing, and I made it back to my lodging in time for breakfast and lazy morning coffee. The people who live here are Cakchiquel Maya and you can learn all about them and their culture if you visit. And try to break your large Guatemalan bills whenever you can since a lot of places have limited change. Communication throughout the booking was fantastic and the experience itself was amazing. This centuries-old church has been damaged through time by fire and earthquakes, but still remains, rebuilt in the center of town. I stayed in Santa Cruz ata cute lakeside hotel called La Iguana Perdidaand loved it! One of the reasons we keep coming back to Lake Atitlan is the near-perfect weather. Visit CECAP and support a local community project, swimming, lakeside sunset, partying at the hostel called Free Cerveza. The dock of Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala Lake Atitlan, located in the heart of the Guatemala Highlands, is the deepest lake in Central America. Cacao ceremonies have made a resurgence in times of late, as enlightenment-minded expats move and travel to the area. Also private boat tours and rentals for exploring more remote areas of Lake Atitlan. TheKaqchikelleft soon after, due to the increasing demands the Spaniards placed upon them, and two years later, the city was burned down. They provide the materials, wifi and a pretty amazing location. You will learn traditional beading techniques and make a custom friendship bracelet under the tutelage of local artisans. All of the common areas are very well done and have an Instagram-worthy feel. You can also find smaller shops with rentals all over the lake so just ask your hotel when you arrive. I happened to be in San Pedro at the end of June, during San Pedros annual festival to honor their town Saint, Peter- whom the church is also dedicated to. Santa Cruz la Laguna is located on the northern shore of Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan Highlands. Santa Cruz la Laguna: The Best 2023 Views on Lake Atitlan Get to the heart of Santa Cruz La Laguna with one of our in-depth, Can ask the boat captain to drop you in any hotel you choose. If you dont have a lot of time to spend at Lake Atitln but still want to enjoy the best bits, the most efficient way is to sign up for a full-day Lake Atitlan boat tour out of Panajachel. This Santa Cruz La Laguna hotel allows you to enjoy such natural sights as Lake Atitlan a 10-minute drive away. Be prepared to walk up stairs that may leave you winded before your therapy. They have a huge yoga deck overlooking the lake and offer lots of classes. As I rambled on about earlier, Santa Cruz la Laguna might have the best views of any village on the lake. As you can imagine, in a bar full of backpackers, these two hours start the nightly party off. Have a look at our full guide to the Best Yoga Retreats on Lake Atitlan. But dont worry- whatever you end up doing, even if its just lying in a hammock in the shade all afternoon listening to the sounds of life (and marimbas), youll end the day satisfied. When staying at Hotel Arca de Noe, try to get the waterfront bungalows with a hammock to relax in and two reasonably comfy chairs to sit back and watch the boats go by. I stayed with the Cruz family in Santa Cruz which is a 20-minute walk from the school. There are also several little tiendas in Santa Cruz with a variety of basic supplies but for a bigger shop you are best off going to one of the several larger grocery stores in Panajachel. Every restaurant in Santa Cruz la Laguna can be an enjoyable place for a drink but Free Cerveza is a particularly good place to down an alcoholic beverage or two. For the brave traveler, the reserve also offers an 8m high platform from which visitors can jump into the waters! This program aims to educate and provide equal opportunities to the kids of the village and indigenous people. They pass by every 30 min or so from 6am to 7pm. There are 13 different villages on the lake, each with their own character and culture, but Santa Cruz stands out for its expansive views and beautiful lakefront trail. Excellent school in breathtaking location. The church sits at the back of a courtyard filled with greenery and featuring a wide stone path from the courtyards entrance to the steps of the church. How To Travel By Boat Around Lake Atitlan - Atitlan Living The village was struck by a landslide during the 2010 tropical storm Agatha, which took out 25 houses, lost close to 20 residents, and severely damaged the towns waterways. There happened to be a parade passing by the church in celebration at the very time I chose to visit the church. Lake Development Authority has issued maps for the lakes as well as for Rajakaluves. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. It is perfectly situated to enjoy both the sunrise over spewing Volcan Fuego and sunset behind Volcan San Pedro and Rostro Maya (Indian Nose). Lake Atitlan is famous for its beautiful scenery that is made up of three volcanos. Arrive early. Jamaica,or hibiscus, juice, is often offered in places that servetypicalGuatemalan food, and will quickly become your favorite beverage if you have a sweet tooth. Many language schools and weaving co-ops around Lake Atitlan offer homestays with local families along with their Spanish classes, and the experience is nothing short of authentic. Most of these schools offer homestay opportunities, which typically are about the same cost per week as a weeks worth of Spanish lessons. Villa Sumaya is a retreat and wellness center located in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Lake Atitln, Guatemala. Do not miss it! 5) Chill Out On The White Beds Of La Casa Rosa. From there you will take a local lancha (boat) to Santa Cruz Laguna we will explain those details in the next section. Santa Cruz La Laguna 4. Los Elementos offers excellent massages in a room right next to the water in Santa Cruz la Laguna where you can hear the sound of the waves while having all your tensions drain away. The ride to Santa Cruz takes around 10 minutes and costs $1, while the ride to San Pedro takes 30 minutes, costing $3. Sometimes called The Land of Eternal Spring, its location at 1,600 metres above sea level keeps it from getting too hot, while its proximity to the equator means there is no winter to speak of (at least not in Canadian terms). The town, which is notably less touristy and more locally-owned than San Pedro, is home to a few marvelous businesses of traditional Mayan products of the region. Santa Cruz la Laguna - Travel guide at Wikivoyage So in 1988, several women banded together to formTramaTextiles, a weaving co-op where women could practice the ancient Mayan art of backboard weaving while getting paid fair prices for their work. The most difficult choice youll face is which village to visit on any given day, and how to choose from the huge number of different things to do in Lake Atitlan. There is a little more hustle and bustle in Panajachel than in other towns surrounding Lake Atitlan. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Santa Cruz: Hidden Waterfalls & Secret Paradise Hike. Hike - Santa Cruz Lake Atitlan They have good salads and sandwiches and Laynni is particularly enthralled with their pineapple and avocado smoothie. There is no official word on pricing or booking these lessons online, but word has it a group lesson runs about $50 per person, with private costing more, of course. Lake Atitlan is truly a place full of life! Overall, it is excellent value for money. It is reported that the bellandur lake has been constructed during the Ganga dynasty. You rock! And if you don't believe me, just ask Aldous Huxley. The Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve is located on its own nature reserve right next to Atitlan Sunset Lodge. They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) While there is now a road down to Santa Cruz from the top of the ridge, that will only work if you have your own vehicle.