What sets Lake Atitlan apart is its impressive backdrop of three majestic volcanoes—Atitlan, San Pedro, and Toliman—forming a breathtaking panorama. The lake itself has a volcanic origin, stemming from an eruption approximately 84,000 years ago, which resulted in the formation of a caldera.

Now, many villages surround the lake and they all have their particularities and charm. Let’s just say that Lake Atitlan sure knows how to make an impression. From hiking at the sunrise to paddle boarding near the San Pedro volcano, you’ll never want to leave!

Join me as we explore the essential details for your Lake Atitlan visit, exploring the particularities of the surrounding villages and uncovering the best activities to make your time by the lake truly unforgettable.

Overview of the main villages

Panajachel

Where to stay – Selina Atitlan

Selina’s location at Lake Atitlan is exceptionally convenient. Situated close to essential amenities like grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants, it also boasts a prime spot on the beach. While the beach is a brief 2-minute walk away, it still feels close and accessible. The presence of a pool adds an extra layer of relaxation, providing a perfect setting to unwind with a refreshing cocktail. While the pool may have needed some repairs, it’s possible that improvements have been made since our visit.

Despite this minor observation, we have no reservations in recommending Selina in Panajachel. The food, with a North American influence, was excellent, and for those who prefer cooking, a shared kitchen is available. In summary, Selina at Lake Atitlan offers everything we needed and more.

What to do in Panajachel

• Walking around the street and eating at a good restaurant : since Panajchel is very touristic, there’s a lot of variety of food from Italian to Asian. There’s also cafés so you can find pretty much anything you like.
• Buying what you need at the supermarket : there’s this huge supermarket in Panajachel that you can find everything you need. There’s food, alcohol and even a section that’s like a general store and a drug store. So when we say you can find everything you need, we were not joking. We bought a lunch box there and we were really surprised about the amount of stuff there was.
• At the Selina hostel : you can participate in any activities offered or you can just  enjoy the amazing view of the lake on the beach or tan at the pool with a cocktail.
• For more adventure in Panajachel : there are many travel agencies who offer different tours from Zipline to kayak and paddle board.

Where to eat in Panajachel

Selina’s restaurant

Hana (Japanese restaurant)

Santa Catarina Palopo

Although we didn’t explore the village due to the brief stay, we had a good time at the Airbnb. Communication with the host was perfect, beginning with their assistance in arranging a tuk-tuk directly from our hostel (Selina). This efficient communication continued throughout our stay.

One drawback was the limited restaurant options nearby, prompting an unexpected adventure for dinner. Despite the hiccup, we managed to find a restaurant for chicken alfredo pastas, which turned out to be OK. In hindsight, we recommend planning ahead and grabbing groceries in Panajachel for a more convenient dining experience.

Overall, our Airbnb experience was exceptional, creating memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re seeking a truly memorable stay at Lake Atitlan, booking at least one night in a similar Airbnb is highly recommended—it’s an experience you’ll cherish forever.

San Pedro la Laguna

While it may lack some of the charm of Panajachel, San Pedro still possesses its own unique appeal. Leading up to our trip, we discovered online that the only ATM around Lake Atitlan was supposedly in Panajachel, prompting us to withdraw all the money we anticipated needing there. However, we later found out that San Pedro la Laguna also has an ATM, removing any concerns about financial transactions in the area. So, no need to worry about running out of cash while exploring San Pedro.

Where to stay – Sababa Resort

What to do in San Pedro la Laguna

Paddle boarding on lake Atitlan

While it’s common to book paddleboards or guided tours in advance through various travel agencies around the lake, our experience took a spontaneous turn due to uncertain weather conditions. Right in front of the Sababa Resort, we encountered locals on the beach renting out paddleboards, seizing the opportunity to embark on our paddleboarding adventure.

The rental cost was approximately Q20 per hour for each paddleboard, providing an affordable and flexible option. San Pedro la Laguna, nestled in a small bay, proves to be an excellent choice for paddleboarding. The bay offers a relatively calm water surface with fewer waves compared to other parts of Lake Atitlan, which sees considerable boat traffic between towns. This decision allowed us to enjoy a scenic paddleboarding experience on the lake.

Hiking the Indian Nose at sunrise

While thinking about booking the tour in advance through various travel agencies, we found the cost to be relatively high (around $180 CAD per person). Opting for a more budget-friendly approach, we decided to explore local agencies in San Pedro. Fortunately, there were numerous options in the small town, offering the same tour at a significantly lower cost—$40 CAD per person. Here’s more information about the tour we took and its itinerary:

• 4 AM : The driver and the guide came to get us at our hostel and they do that for everyone. It’s a 45 minute drive.
• 4:45 AM : We arrived at the start of the hike and it took about an hour to arrive at the viewpoint. We found this hike an easy one, but it depends on everyone. We would range from easy to moderate.
• 5:45 AM : Arriving at the viewpoint, we had about an hour to enjoy the stunning view and take pictures. Coffee is also offered.
• 6:45 AM : Time to head back to the shuttle. It’s a 45 minutes descent and an hour drive back to San Pedro la Laguna.
• 8 AM : We arrived back at our hostel.

• Don’t forget to bring extra cash to tip the guide and the driver.
• At the start point of the hike, there is lots of trash on the trail. It’s really sad, but it’s so common in Guatemala. At least, when you continue on the trail, there’s not that much trash.

San Pedro volcano

The locals strongly emphasized the importance of hiking in large groups for safety. Additionally, they suggested bringing only the essentials to minimize potential losses in the event of an encounter with these thieves.

It’s worth noting that despite these warnings, many tourists still undertake the hike. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential risks and exercise extreme caution. If choosing to embark on the San Pedro volcano hike, consider joining a sizable group and take precautions to ensure your safety.

Where to eat in San Pedro

Pita Sabij

WOW! The best restaurant on our trip. If you plan on staying in San Pedro la Laguna, you have to try it. Serving Lebanese food, their pitas and hummus were incredible and so flavourful. The service was also on point. The employees are really nice and you have a nice view of Lake Atitlan.

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