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One of the highlights of my trip to Guatemala was spending a full day at Lake Atitlán. Surrounded by three volcanoes and lined with traditional Mayan villages, this lake is often regarded as the most beautiful in the world, and I can see why. Not only is Lake Atitlán visually stunning, but it also holds the records for largest and deepest lake in Central America. I booked a guided tour to visit multiple villages around the lake, and it was the perfect way to experience its culture, scenery and local life all in one day. If you’re short on time, a day trip like this gives you a real taste of what makes Lake Atitlán so unforgettable. Here’s how to plan the best day trip ever to Lake Atitlán.
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Fun Facts About Lake Atitlán
Before I share what I did on my day trip, here are four fun facts which make Lake Atitlán even more fascinating:
- Lake Atitlán is the largest lake in Central America and its vastness is incredible! You almost forget that you’re in the highlands, as Lake Atitlán stretches 18 to 19km at its widest point.
- At over 1,110 feet (340m) deep, scientists still haven’t measured the full depth of the lake.
- Lake Atitlán sits inside a giant volcanic caldera formed by a massive eruption 84,000 years ago. The San Pedro, Atitlán, and Tolimán volcanoes rise around it, making every view look like a postcard. These volcanoes are extinct, active and dormant, respectively.
- Dozens of Mayan communities live around the lake, and while Spanish is widely spoken, you’ll still hear languages like Kaqchikel and Tz’utujil spoken today. Each village is a unique cultural centre boasting its own traditional clothing and language. Neighbouring villages often have different dialects.
Panajachel & San Pedro La Laguna
Armed with this knowledge, I was even more excited to set off on my one-day adventure. The day began at 5:00am when my tour company picked up my husband and I from Antigua, and shuttled us to Panajachel. Panajachel, the main gateway town on the lake, is located 2.5 hours (76km) away from Antigua. In Panajachel, we enjoyed a typical Guatemalan breakfast of eggs, beans, cheese, fried plantains, tortillas, fresh fruit and coffee. After this, we got a briefing from our guide who spoke excellent English, then boarded a small boat. As we glided across the glassy water, the volcanoes loomed larger and the views grew even more dramatic.
Our first stop was to San Pedro La Laguna, a small town which comes alive at night due to its small but growing American, European and Jewish expatriate community. We strolled down the main street and passed a Jewish synagogue, buzzing cafés, shops and art galleries. San Pedro has a reputation as the backpacker hub of the lake, and I could see and feel the vibrant mix of locals and travelers. While San Pedro is quiet in the daytime, it’s still perfect for grabbing coffee, browsing handicrafts and people-watching.
San Juan La Laguna
San Juan La LagunaOur next stop was San Juan La Laguna, and I immediately felt the artistic and cooperative spirit of the town. First, we visited a small bee collective where Mayan families produce unique honey using several species of stingless bees. We learnt how beekeeping supports sustainable livelihoods there, and got to sample three unique types of honey and mead, a honey wine. Next, we were taken to a textile workshop where we were shown how Maya women transform white and brown cotton straight from the tree into vibrant fabrics. To this day, Mayan fabrics are handwoven and produced from natural dyes obtained from plants and minerals. Finally, we had a chocolate-making session where a local artisan showed us how cacao beans are roasted, ground and transformed into rich Guatemalan chocolate, all by hand. The texture was a little gritty but very delicious. We had the opportunity to shop for affordable souvenirs after each interactive workshop.
I absolutely loved the vibrant playful colours of San Juan, and they reminded me so much of Guatapé in Colombia. I took photos under the colourful umbrellas hanging above the streets and wandered along Hat Street, another quirky corner perfect for photos.
Santiago Atitlán
Lunch in Santiago AtitlánOur third and final boat stop was to Santiago Atitlán, one of the most traditional towns around the lake. First, we enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant accompanied by Gallo, the national beer of Guatemala. Following lunch, we joined a walking tour that began with a visit to a 16th-century church filled with history and stories from the Spanish colonial period. Our guide is actually from Santiago Atitlán, and took pleasure sharing her town’s culture and history with us. Eventually, we were allowed to explore the town on our own, while others from our group took a tuk-tuk ride to visit more sites at an additional cost.
While wandering Santiago Atitlán on our own though, we were approached by many child vendors– the youngest looked as little as 5 years old. We visited on a weekday where these poor children should be in school. However, unfortunately many Guatemalan children particularly girls, Indigenous children and children living in rural areas do not attend school. While Guatemala’s education system is free and compulsory for children aged 7 to 14, this legal requirement is often not met due to socio-economic challenges faced by many families. This was heartbreaking to see; travel is certainly eye-opening. Hopefully Guatemala can get this breach of children’s rights under control soon.
Why a Day Trip to Lake Atitlán Works
By late afternoon, we boarded the boat back to Panajachel and took a colectivo (local bus) to Antigua. But, my word! The return boat ride was extremely bumpy. This is due to strong afternoon winds called the Xocomil, which cause waves and choppy waters. This wind is a local phenomenon created by warm Pacific air meeting cold mountain air; nothing to do about it but hold on tight. Nonetheless, this was the kind of view you wish you could bottle up and take home with you. Even though it was just a day trip, I felt like I had experienced so many sides of Lake Atitlán— its creativity, spirituality, traditions and natural wonder. If you have more time, spend a night or two to dive deeper into activities like hiking Indian Nose at sunrise, kayaking across the lake or joining a yoga retreat in San Marcos. But, if you plan everything right, one day can be just enough. For a smooth day trip to Lake Atitlán:
- Book a guided tour: It makes logistics easy and ensures you don’t miss the highlights. Here’s my recommendation.
- Bring cash: Many shops and cooperatives don’t take cards.
- Pack light: A day bag with water, sunscreen and a hat is enough.
- Bring layers: Mornings can be chilly, but the afternoons get warm.
- Photography: Ask before taking photos of locals, especially in traditional dress—it’s a sign of respect.
Wrap Up
Visiting Lake Atitlán was easily one of the best choices I made in Guatemala. Even though I only spent one day there, I left with memories that will last a lifetime— chocolate tastings, colourful streets, traditional weaving, cultural lessons and unforgettable views. If you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, don’t miss Lake Atitlán. A day tour by boat is the easiest and most rewarding way to see its highlights. Have you ever visited Lake Atitlán, or would you like to visit? Sound off in the comments section below.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:
- 48 Hours in Panama City
- 8 Reasons to Visit Medellin, Colombia
- 8 Reasons to Visit Antigua, Guatemala
- Acatenango, Guatemala: The Ultimate Guide
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