Lake Atitlan Itinerary (6 Days): Full Day-by-day Breakdown

Lake Atitlan Itinerary (6 Days): Day-by-day Breakdown

Lake Atitlan is up there as one of the top travel destinations in Guatemala. And for good reason! This magical lake surrounded by mountains and volcanoes offers unparalleled natural beauty belonging on the front of a postcard! It provides a picturesque setting for a whole host of outdoor adventure activities or the perfect place to relax and explore your spirituality! Sprinkle in the indigenous Mayan culture in Lake Atitlan’s surrounding towns; an array of Spanish schools; options to party; and various markets, and you’ll soon realise that you’ve got a lot to squeeze in! With so much to do and several towns to see, this post will provide a complete Lake Atitlan Itinerary, breaking down each day’s activities to help you plan your trip. It will also cover which towns to visit in Lake Atitlan, recommendations for accommodation, budget for Lake Atitlan and more!

Lake Atitlan Itinerary in short

• Day 1: Paragliding, Street Markets and Sunset Drinks
• Day 2: ATV Tour
• Day 3: San Marcos Daytrip via the Lower Mayan Trail Hike
• Day 4: Paddleboarding and a Cooking Class
• Day 5: Morning Yoga, Exploring San Pedro and San Juan
• Day 6: Indian Nose Sunrise Hike

This 6-day itinerary includes one night in Panajachel, two nights in Santa Cruz La Laguna, and two nights in San Pedro La Laguna.

Lake Atitlan Itinerary in Full

How many days do you need in Lake Atitlan?

Lake Atitlan covers a huge area and is made up of many towns. Sadly, this means that unless you spend a long time here, you won’t be able to explore all of them.

To get a reasonable feel of Lake Atitlan I would recommend staying overnight in at least two of the towns. This will require at least five days, though a whole week is ideal.

If you are content remaining in one place for the duration of your visit, 3 days in Lake Atitlan will give you a little taster. You can use the water taxis across the lake to complete day trips and activities nearby so you are not completely isolated.

Many travellers choose to settle in Lake Atitlan for longer periods of time, which gives them the chance to explore the area in more depth. Spanish schools, yoga retreats, and volunteering are popular ways to stay for a number of weeks.

6-Day Lake Atitlan Itinerary

Day 1: Paragliding, Street Markets and Sunset Drinks

Arrive in Panajachel

If you’re heading to Lake Atitlan, it’s highly likely that your first stop will be Panajachel. From here you can catch a water taxi (lancha) to any of the other towns and villages surrounding the lake. These boats run frequently throughout the day and vary in price depending on how far you are heading. As of 2023, most trips cost around 25Q.

That being said, I suggest staying one night here as it’s the main town of Lake Atitlan and the best place to go paragliding!

NOTE: Panajachel has ATMs so is a good place to withdraw cash.

Paragliding

What better way to make an entrance into Lake Atitlan than to fly high above it? I booked with Real World Paragliding, which I highly recommend. Read about my experience here. Two days’ notice (during high season) was fine to reserve a spot.

Head to the Real World Paragliding office by the courtyard on the main strip. Here you will get a short briefing; sign safety forms; pay for the experience; and meet the team. They will take you up to the launch point in the mountains which is a 30-minute drive away.

As a newbie, I had no idea what I was doing! Thankfully, you will be paired with a guide who will explain everything you need to do and prepare all the equipment. Then it’s time to take to the skies!

After take off, you will have 25-45 minutes in the air depending on conditions and how you are feeling (apparently paragliding can make people nauseous). You will ride the thermoclines overland to get some altitude before swooping over the lake and circling back down to the landing point by the Panajachel River. The whole time you will have incredible views of the lake and volcanoes, plus a different perspective of the towns. I found the birdseye views of Santa Catrina Palopo and Panajachel particularly cool.

You will take your gear back to the office and have the chance to purchase any photos from the experience.

NOTE: If you have your own GoPro, bring it!

Price: 750Q (approx £75 or $95)
Duration: 2-3 hours (25-45mins in flight)
Time: Depends on the reservation

Go shopping

Once you’re back on solid ground, you can check out the streets of Panajachel. There are plenty of interesting stalls and shops selling clothing, jewellery, bags, artwork as well as street food. They run all the way along the main strip to the viewpoint at the end.

Evening in Panajachel

After a busy day, you can chill out in the evening with a drink overlooking the lake. There are several places along the shoreline that have beautiful views at sunset. I enjoyed Selina Hostel’s private bar.

One of my favourite restaurants in Panajachel was Dao Thai which is conveniently located right next to Selina’s bar! They serve really tasty Thai food (it’s genuinely good Asian cuisine, not just good for Central America)! If you want more authentic Guatemalan food, Guajimbo’s is good, though expensive by Guatemalan standards. If you want something cheap and cheerful, Mister Jon’s is a reasonable fast-food joint.

Stay overnight in Panajachel. I recommend Selina Hostel for quiet and clean or Dreamboat Hostel for social and party scene.

Day 2: ATV Tour

ATV Tour

One of the best ways to see more of Lake Atitlan is by hopping on an ATV, joining a tour, and driving around. This will allow you to explore some of the villages around the lake and learn about their culture from a local guide.

The most popular tour operator in Panajachel for this is Simoon Tours. Most hostels will offer something similar, often for a slightly higher price. Different tour companies have different routes to avoid each other at key stops.

There are morning and afternoon tours available (9:00 and 14:00), both lasting approximately 4 hours. Or you can explore these towns independently without joining an ATV tour.

On the village tour, the nearest stop is Playa Los Salpores in Barrio Jucanya on the edge of Panajachel. This is the best place on the tour for photo opportunities of Lake Atitlan with the backdrop of the volcanoes.

East of Panajachel is Santa Catarina Palopo; a small municipality on the coastline of Lake Atitlan. The majority of residents here are indigenous Maya, speaking Kaqchikel and wearing vibrant clothing. It’s a colourful and interesting town where tours allow you the opportunity to see and learn about locally made textiles such as weavings and blankets.

In Santa Catarina Palopo, you will also visit a local coffee house to grind your own coffee and taste local beans

San Antonio Palopo is located around 5km further along the coastline from Santa Catarina Palopo. Here you will get to visit a local ceramic factory followed by a chocolate factory. In both of these you will get the chance to learn about the processes involves in production, though the chocolate factory involves a little chocolate tasting.

After visiting both towns, most tours head back to Panajachel for a drink. If you are exploring freely, you can ride onwards to San Lucas on the south side of the lake.

Price: 425Q (approx £45)
Duration: 4 hours
Time: 9:00am or 14:00pm

Catch the water taxi to Santa Cruz La Laguna. This costs 25Q. The last boat leaves Panajachel at X. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes from Panajachel dock to Santa Cruz, though you should account for waiting times as often the captain won’t leave until the boat has filled up with passengers.

Stay overnight in Santa Cruz La Laguna. La Iguana Perdida or Free Cerveza are my top picks for hostels in Santa Cruz.

NOTE: You can stay overnight in Panajachel and leave early the following morning. There are more choices for restaurants and bars in Pana, whilst the views are nicer in Santa Cruz. Your choice!

Day 3: Santa Cruz to San Marcos Hike and Explore San Marcos

Lower Mayan Trail Hike

Santa Cruz La Laguna is a small town on the edge of Lake Atitlan. One of the best things to do here is to walk along the trail to San Marcos. It’s one of the most popular hikes around the whole of Lake Atitlan with the best views of the three volcanoes. Unlike several other hikes, there is much less up and down.

The trail primarily sticks to the coast of Lake Atitlan, cutting inland slightly to pass through the small towns of Jaibalito and Tzununa. You can stop in either of these towns to look around or freshen up. The last part of the hike follows a track down into San Marcos where you can spend the rest of the day.

The hike should take around 3 hours in total (one way). The route below shows the trail from Santa Cruz to San Marcos and back again. You can get a boat back later if you don’t want to hike!

We had lunch at La Sala Del Lago on the edge of San Marcos which had a nice terrace and good food, but there are other options in the centre of town.

Explore San Marcos

San Marcos is a small hippie town in Lake Atitlan with narrow streets, healthy food, and street art. It won’t take you long to wander along the main street, but be prepared to get lost in the backstreets!

There are plenty of stalls with intricate jewellery, artwork, clothing and other handmade items as well as a few good places to eat.

Visit the Cerro Tzanjujil Nature Reserve

This peaceful reserve is made up of a number of well-maintained forest trails leading toward various panoramic viewpoints overlooking the lake and volcanoes. The highlight for many is a 12m jumping platform known as the trampoline.

Whilst it isn’t actually a trampoline… it is an exhilarating jump and a great place to cool off after the hike and go for a swim! The waters around San Marcos are generally calm and clean, but I still recommend keeping your mouth closed and nose plugged to avoid getting ill from the water. It’s also easy to get in and out of the water which is a bonus.

Entrance to the nature reserve costs 20Q (used to be 15Q). I thought this was mildly overpriced for what it was, but you can bring snacks, a camera and a towel to chill out, stay longer and make the most of it.

Return to Santa Cruz for the evening by catching a water taxi.

Two of the main hostels (Free Cerveza and La Iguana Perdida) both offer family dinners at 7pm for a reasonable price. The food varies each day, but it’s a great place to meet and socialise with others in your hostel at the same time as filling your belly.

Stay another night in Santa Cruz La Laguna.

Day 4: SUP and Cooking Class

Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Santa Cruz is one of the best towns on the lake to paddleboard in. Firstly, the water is cleaner than in other parts of the lake. Secondly, the views from this side of Lake Atitlan are amazing.

Rent a SUP in the morning for either an hour or two (or a whole day if you’re feeling adventurous). I booked with SUP Atitlan who run lake tours as well as rent paddleboards. The boards were good quality and the hour flew by. I would recommend renting for longer than an hour so you have more time to relax on the water.

It’s better to rent a board earlier in the day as the water is much calmer and boards are more likely to be available. At 8:15am we were some of the first people out on the lake which was amazing.

SUP rental for one hour costs 50Q. It is more expensive elsewhere around the lake such as in San Pedro La Laguna.

Cooking class

In the afternoon, have your lunch or dinner with a cooking class! It’s a great way to learn about Mayan culture plus fill your belly at the same time!

Like most cooking classes in Guatemala, you will start with a visit to a typical outdoor market to pick up produce and learn about authentic Mayan ingredients. You will soon realise that Guatemala has a huge array of products that you didn’t even know existed!

You will return to the kitchen to prepare your food! You will make a traditional tipico lunch made up of a few small dishes. Some of the dishes you prepare may include Pepian (a typical Guatemalan spiced stew), jocon, rice milk, tamalitos/tamales, frijoles, Subanic, Guisado, or guacamole.

Once you’ve filled up, catch a water taxi to San Pedro La Laguna. If you want to party, this is the best night to do it due to San Pedro’s more lively nightlife scene.

Stay overnight in San Pedro La Laguna.

Day 5: Exploring San Pedro and San Juan

At first glance, San Pedro La Laguna is one long street beside Lake Atitlan full of typical tourist advertisements. However, if you head inland and uphill, there is a buzz of life full of interesting shops, cafes, markets, and more.

Some things to do in a morning exploring San Pedro:

• Tzunun’Ya Museum
• Colourful street art
• Take a painting class
• Enjoy the local markets
• Heated pools (Los Termales)

Once you have explored everything that San Pedro has to offer, you can wander over to San Juan La Laguna. San Juan is much like San Pedro’s smaller and quieter neighbour and is a welcome escape from the tourists and noise. Its streets are full of art, independent cafes, and textiles and in my opinion, a lot prettier than San Pedro.

Take it slow, enjoy the art galleries and go into a cafe.

As the temperature cools for the day walk up to El Mirador de Cerro Cruz (Mirador Kiaq’Aiswaan) for the best views over the area. It’s one of the most aesthetic walks I’ve ever done, plus it has amazing views of San Pedro, San Juan and the three volcanoes.

On arrival, there is an entrance fee of 30Q (20Q for nationals). Once you have paid, you begin the 15-25 minute ascent up the beautifully painted steps covered in murals representing the Tz’utujil Maya of San Juan. It’s an easy path to follow, but it is moderately steep so be prepared to get sweaty!

Once you reach the top, someone will be waiting to check your ticket. Now you can enjoy the views from the observation deck; take photos, buy drinks or snacks from locals; and admire the murals on show.

Stay overnight in San Pedro La Laguna.

Day 6: Indian Nose Hike

There are plenty of amazing hikes to do in Lake Atitlan but this is the most famous.

The most popular time to do the Indian Nose Hike is at sunrise. There are several tour companies that will provide a guide from San Pedro La Laguna (and other nearby towns) up to the viewpoint but you can also do this hike without a guide.

NOTE: Robberies have occasionally been known to take place on this trail.

From San Pedro La Laguna, you will walk through San Juan and then begin the steep climb. It should take approximately a couple of hours to get to the top. The more popular option is to get a shuttle to Santa Clara La Laguna (the nearest town to the summit) and take the 30-minute hike up from there.

To make sure you don’t miss the sunrise, check the sunrise times here.

Once you reach the summit, there is a small, wooden shelter at the top where you can sit down, or there is space to stand. The sun rises over Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes in the distance whilst you can look down at San Pedro village and the other three volcanoes in the vicinity.

Once you are back from the hike, grab a shower, eat some breakfast, and pack before heading to your next stop in Guatemala.

Lake Atitlan Itinerary Mapped Out

Lake Atitlan Budget

You’re probably wondering how much should you expect to spend during this 6-day itinerary.

I spent 2860Q (£290 or $365) during my six days here. Whilst, I’m not a luxury traveller, I ensure that I still do all the activities I want to do in a destination. The breakdown is as follows:

I certainly could’ve spent less money on tours. Paragliding and the cooking class were two of the more expensive things to do in Lake Atitlan. Similarly, I could’ve quite easily spent more money at a market, however, I’m not the kind of person that buys many souvenirs. That being said, I certainly could’ve spent more money on both food and drinks.

What to do if you have more time in Lake Atitlan?

Lake Atitlan is one of those destinations where it’s easy to spend a few more days.

Join a Spanish School

Around Lake Atitlan there are plenty of Spanish schools to choose from. It’s a much cheaper way to learn the language than at home! Here you can immerse yourself in the language and focus on learning Spanish. There are some options to stay with a host family.

Explore more of the towns

Unfortunately, there’s no way you can properly explore all the towns around Lake Atitlan in 6 days. However, if you have some extra time you can add a few more towns to the list. This Lake Atitlan itinerary includes stays in Panajachel, Santa Cruz and San Pedro, but with more time, you can add San Marcos, Jaibalito, Tzununa, Santa Catarina Palopo, San Antonio Palopo, San Lucas, or Santiago Atitlan.

More hiking

The Lower Mayan Trail and Indian Nose hike are by no means the only hikes on offer around Lake Atitlan. Given the vast number of mountains and volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlan, you have plenty of options! For a challenge, you can climb any one of the three volcanoes beside the lake (Toliman, San Pedro and Atitlan). Or there are some shorter hikes in the area.

Kick back and relax

Lake Atitlan has some of the best scenery in Guatemala, so why not kick back and relax with a view? The north side of Lake Atitlan (Santa Cruz, Panajachel, Tzununa, Santa Catarina) provides some of the best views across the lake, so book into some accommodation with a view and enjoy.

Join a yoga retreat at the Eagle’s Nest

Enjoy Lake Atitlan’s spiritual side by joining a yoga retreat. The Eagle’s Nest offers some of the best spaces to do yoga in the world, the views are unmatched.

Split up the itinerary

If you have more time in Lake Atitlan, you can always just take things slower! Break down this 6-day Lake Atitlan itinerary and turn it into one week or even longer! Unless you have time constraints, there’s no need to do a hike in the morning, followed by a cooking class in the afternoon. Why not take a whole day to visit San Marcos? Or take your cooking class and vegetate in a hammock for the rest of the day? Lake Atitlan is a very chill place after all!

Where to go after Lake Atitlan?

The most popular destination in Guatemala after Lake Atitlan is the small, colonial city of Antigua. There are options to leave from both Panajachel as well as San Pedro La Laguna. If you opt for a shuttle, the journey should take 2.5-3 hours, whilst the chicken bus takes nearer 4 hours.

Alternatively, you could head north towards Lanquin to explore Semuc Champey National Park. Or you could head away from the crowds to explore Xela, and even hike back again via the Xela to Lake Atitlan 3-day hike!

Before you go

Thank you for reading my 6-day Lake Atitlan itinerary. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.

If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.

Happy travelling!