The pottery village of San Antonio Palop is about 15 km (but a 45-min drive) north along the lake, followed closely by colourful Santa Catarina Palop and Panajachel, the oldest tourist centre on the lake. Top 10 Things To Do & See On Lake Atitlan - Atitlan Living Pana also has a thriving backpacker scene with plenty of eating options and budget accommodations. Pana is an easy travel option with a large expat community, a bustling market, and incomparable views of the sunset over the lake each evening. The best way to travel between different villages around the lake is by public lancha, the small boats that run roughly every 20 minutes all around the lake. Occasionally tourists are robbed at machete point while hiking, in particular on the hike up Cerro de Oro. Bring a clean t-shirt or sweater. So much so that I decided to pass on the 2 hr ride to Chichi and had a leisurely shopping experience in Pana on a Sunday morning. 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. Also their pasta is supposed to be great. Casa Prana has only 8 suites, wich gives you a very private and luxurious feeling. Wi-fi is limited. One of the unique things to do at Santiago de Lake Atitlan is to visit Maximn. Santa Catarina Palop is a pretty town where you can enjoy an easy hike along the shoreline. Sharing adventures since 2009. Every village on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala has its own character and at least one or two good reasons for a visit. The Towns and Villages of Lake Atitln: Our Top 8 List and What to Keep in Mind When Picking Where to Stay in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Ever since we began pursuing long-term travel, we heard over and over that we needed to head to Guatemala and check out Lake Atitln. The food is among my favorite things in Pana. In this Lake Atitlan travel guide, I will tell you everything you want to know, including tips for the best things to do at Lake Atitlan Guatemala. The lake is surrounded by three mighty volcanoes: Tolimn (3100 m), San Pedro (3000 m) and Atitlan (3500). Of all the smaller towns Ive visited around the lake, San Juan felt the most prosperous. Keep in mind that not all locals like to be photographed. Casa Palopo is a luxurious and more expensive option. San Lucas Tolimn is a municipality in the department of Solol. I havent had the chance to try Restaurante Hana, but I will. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lake Atitln, Guatemala features many incredible things to doand its the perfect place for a quiet retreat and to reconnect to nature. I didnt think Id like Pana that much but it grew on me. Panajachel. Though hotel space is limited, floods of daytrippers make for central souvenir market stalls on the main street starting at the dock. Or just come for the breathtaking view of the lake from their terrace. This is a fabulous destination to learn more about the Mayan culture and the life of the indigenous peoples of Guatemala; it's one of the best places in the country to rejoice with nature and feel its power. Certain villages, like Panajachel or San Pedro, have been influenced by tourism, with cute cafes, hip bars, and vegan restaurants. They offer classes at 7 and 9am every morning for just 5$/40Q. Santiago de Atitlan is probably the most indigenous village of Lake Atitlan. There are more than a dozen villages dotted around the edges of Lago de Atitlan and you can spend an entire day boat-hopping from one to the other. San Marcos is the best village at Lake Atitlan for those who seek meditation, yoga, or a silent retreat. Santa Catarina Palop and San Antonio Palop are less visited but very nice to include in your itinerary. Keep reading to discover the details about 12 amazing Mayan villages at Lake Atitln. Take a zip-line ride over Chuiraxamol Eco-Park for an unforgettable thrill. [] our hike up Volcano Acatenango, Jeremys hike up Volcano Pacaya, and horseback riding at Lake Atitlan (at under $15/person for 3 hours of riding, including tip, this was a fantastic [], [] are several Lake Atitln villages all around the edges of the lake, each with their own personality, and distinctive indigenous []. Although there are many places to practice yoga on Lake Atitlan, especially in San Marcos, there's only one place with Yoga classes with this view. I stayed in 3 different villages (Pana, Santa Cruz, and San Pedro), and visited 8 different villages (see my complete Guatemala itinerary ). shade), a basketball court and some neatly painted stairs. Guatemala is known for its 33 volcanoes, 3 of these majestic volcanoes can be found towering above Lake Atitlan creating a basin that contains the lake. Santa Cruz is a quaint and traditional Mayan town. One market stall lines up next to another, and there are plenty of restaurants and hotels, including an all-inclusive resort right by the lake. I took a fletes/pickup from Panajachel to Santa Antonio Palopo, a small village perched on a steep hillside known for its pottery and indigo-colored huipiles and skirts worn by the local women. 10 Epic Towns in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala (All My Favorite Villages) With the long one, you walk from San Juan in about 1.5 / 2 hours to the top. I enjoyed laid-back Santa Cruz, I just thought it offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Lake Atitlan and a serene place to be for a few days. In every Lake Atitlan village, the market is where the action is. Lake Atitln - Travel guide at Wikivoyage The owner, a Guatemalan lady along with her 12 yo daughter, run a tight ship. Walk from Jaibalito to Santa Cruz de Atitlan Guatemala (1, 2) Kayaking or paddleboarding - Lake Atitlan. Including a special section about photography, the best time to visit and how to get to Lake Atitlan from Antigua or Guatemala City. If I hadnt felt seasick from the the rough ride over I wouldve taken up the offer. I miss the ease of travels, the rid, Sunrise at Tikal, Guatemala Kinda Blew My Mind, Guatemala Travel Budget: What Did Our Trip Cost? Santiago is the largest town on the lake but does not have as many tourist shuttles as Panajachel. Then you have serene Jaibalito and scenic Santa Cruz with fantastic locations along the north shore. Once you are there tuk tuks will take you anywhere in town for 5Q per person. This trip is very popular with families. Everything was still green and lush, from the rainy season but there was no rain anymore. And while there will probably be a bunch of hummingbirds feeding in the trees and flowers nearby, they probably wont bother you much at all. #2 The hip hotspots of San Marcos. It takes 2 to 3 hours to get from Antigua to Panajchel, and from Guatemala City to Panajachel 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. You walk up the mountain and have beautiful views of the lake. Its a 10 minute walk away from Calle Santander. This site is a member of Amazon affiliates. If I were to pick a longer-term base though, Id go with either Panajachel or San Pedro for their accessibility and activity/food options. The inhabitants of the towns around Lake Atitlan are mostly indigenous, coming directly from Mayans. There is a fair bit of overlap but, in general, the people from San Lucas Toliman to Panajachel and everywhere along the north side speak Kakchiquel. The Chuiraxamol Eco-Park is a place for daring travelers and worth checking out. Pana makes a convenient jumping base to visit Chichicastenango and the quiet villages of Santa Catarina de Palopo and San Antonio de Palopo. San Marcos and Tzunun are somewhat similar, both known for their holistic and spiritual pursuits. Even though it is a bit isolated, public boats are available from Panajachel and San Pedro. The original village is located up on the hill, whereas the main street towards the docks, Calle Santander, seems to be constructed exclusively for tourists. They're quite unique. The view of the lake from Santiago is one of the most beautiful ones. You can learn how to weave from a group of Mayan women at Lema, a collective in town. This blog will tell you everything to know about San Marcos on Lake Atitlan, including the best things to do, the most beautiful hotels and practical tips. Ah, Lake Atitlan! And, I dont want to get your hopes up too much, but there may also be just a hint of sand. . Other than a couple of hotels, the village of Jaibalito offers nothing for visitors. Its perfect to shop souvenirs. Youll pass a market, where youll find all type of products and a real local chaos of sellers and buyers. The gringo area is dominated by yoga studios, meditation centers, and spiritual retreats. However, in the Highlands, Spanish tends to be the second language behind one of the indigenous Mayan dialects. There are many boutique stores, where you can buy this type of local art, including embroidered cloths, bags and scarfs. You can also rent a private boat, where prices range between 15 to 25 dollars for a one-way trip between two villages. Required fields are marked *. And there will be a few more shopping opportunities in the market. Another great hike near San Lucas Toliman is to the top of Cerro de Oro (Gold Hill). But what you get in return is an absolute dream! There are several splendid villages surrounding the lake, and each has its own style and energy. Why Lake Atitlan is worth visiting. Only 10Q ride from San Pedro lies San Juan Laguna, a town with the clean streets and relatively free of tourists. Coordinates: 1442N 9112W Lake Atitln (Spanish: Lago de Atitln, [atitlan]) is a lake in the Guatemalan Highlands of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Weienburg, the district seat, lies within the precincts of the Altmhltal nature park. But is there one village that stands out? San Pedro is the most popular among the villages for backpackers, and the best village at Lake Atitlan to learn Spanish and spend a few weeks.There is enough to do for the more active backpackers climb Volcano San Pedro, go on a horseback ride, kayak around the lake, learn Spanish at one of the highly recommended Spanish schools, spend an afternoon in the gorgeous town center (pictured below) or hike to the neighboring village San Juan. You can sometimes change $US at the banks in Panajachel but dont count on it. Make sure to start your hike early morning. I love staying in smaller scale hotels with beautiful interiors, a nice atmosphere and convenient location. Plus, there tend to be lots of power outages. Highlight of San Marcos is hiking the nature reserve. Well, let me assure you, that is not a problem in San Lucas Toliman. You can join a day tour of the Lake that usually includes a visit to San Pedro, Santiago, San Marcos, and San Juan. Lake Atitlan seen from La Iguana Perdida, one of my favorite hostels in Guatemala! The walk to the top takes about 3 hours, taking you past coffee and avocado plantations. As a World Nomads affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our link. While San Lucas Toliman is surprisingly large (17,000 larger than San Pedro), virtually none of it is geared to toward foreign tourists. The largest festivities take place October 18th, including the Procession of San Lucas Evangelista accompanied by much music and bell-ringing and smoke and chanting and, you know, procession stuff. Only that it is the village on the other side of the lake that isnt the pottery one (San Antonio Palopo) or the one with the colourful buildings (Santa Catarina Palopo). Along the way I encountered stores selling colorful handmade embroidery works. 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. However one day was enough. This is an amazing viewpoint, where you look all the way out over 6 volcanoes. Idea Connection Great homemade bread and pastries. All rights reserved. Posada Jaibalito is a great place to eat delicious and affordable food like typical breakfasts and fresh salads. My Favorite Villages in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala - Jack and Jill Travel Beautiful sunset from Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala, View from the terrace of Cafe Sabor Cruceno. The altitude in particular is what makes the trip tough, because of the low concentration of oxygen. Tuk-tuk costs 5Q anywhere in the city. Las Cristalinas is the go-to spot for all the beach lovers out there. Overall, yes. The trail can be tricky to follow at times and there have been occasional robberies reported on Cerro de Oro so it is best to go with a guide. I recommend visiting as many churches as possible because you can find the essence of each town around the churches. Because of this, one of the most popular things to do in Lake Atitlan is going village hopping to experience what each of these unique villages has to offer. Learn More. Hospedaje Lolita. You can find 11 villages and towns around Lake Atitlan, but only 6 stand out a lot from the rest, including Panajachel, Santiago, San Pedro, Santa Cruz, Jaibalito, and San Marcos. Or you can get takeaway to enjoy as you wander the intriguing streets of the town. Guatemala | A Guide to Guatemala for the Bausse In You, [] give you a synopsis here of some of the villages around the lake, but the Globe Trotter Girls do a great job on this one too if you want some more [], I am Dani, a travel addict who quit her corporate job in 2010 to travel the world. Kamui. From here, take a hike to San Antonio Palopo, six kilometers to the south and famous for its traditional clothes (especially of the men) and hot springs or hop in a pickup back to Pana. Santa Catarina Palopo is known for its colourful houses. Because of the private nature of these retreats, a lot of the houses have high walls surrounding the property. With the short option, you will depart by bus or taxi to Santa Clara, around 4am and walk to the top within 30 minutes. Tip: It is also possible to stay at the top in a tent. Inside you will find an interesting mix of Catholic statues and indigenous religious images. But also the Fuego, Agua and Acatenango volcano located around Antigua can be seen from here.
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