Lake Atitlán
Guatemala
Guatemala / Lake Atitlan
A sparkling jewel in a volcanic setting
Glassy azure waters dotted with fishing boats, imposing volcanoes shrouded by milky clouds, and jungles punctuated with palm-thatched palapas — Lake Atitlán's natural beauty will not disappoint.
Long pegged as a hippie haven, Lake Atitlán has more to offer than just yoga and tie-dye. There is much to explore along the lakefront, volcanoes to climb, picturesque Mayan villages, and plenty of hole-in-the-wall eateries.
You can easily spend 2-3 days working your way from one town to the next and adding volcano hikes for a birds-eye view of the fantastic lake. We suggest selecting one town as a “home base” and taking day trips by boat (or foot).
Browse through the Offbeat Goat collection
Stays in Lake Atitlan
the highlights.
Our favorite villages on Lake Atitlán:
Santa Cruz — Visit this near-vertical Mayan town and walk to the tippy top for beautiful views. Then grab lunch at Cafe Sabór Cruceño (a culinary school creating Guatemalan and fusion dishes). You can also take a kayak from Santa Cruz La Laguna to San Marcos (tour time: 2-4 hours).
Jaibalito — Explore this lesser-known town accessible only by water or hiking.
San Marcos La Laguna — Spend a day puttering around this tiny picturesque town, considered a hippy and wellness mecca. For a bite to eat with tea, try Cafe Shambhala (temporarily closed).
San Pedro La Laguna — There is much to explore in this backpacker's town, chock-full of brightly colored houses, cobblestone streets, and oh-so-steep hills. San Pedro Volcano is well worth the climb. Typically tours set out early morning for the best sunset views over the lake. Also, consider an early morning hike up Indian Nose. Finally, grab a bite to eat at Idea Connection.
Santiago — Home of Saint Maximon and the largest town on Lake Atitlán, famous for its churches, open local market, and the infamous saint.
San Juan La Laguna — Check out the tiny colorful town of San Juan La Laguna, gaze at the beautiful art murals, and visit the weaving collective at Lema. Visit the many coffee plantations in San Juan La Laguna and immerse yourself in the process of coffee making (tour time: 2-3 hours).
Santa Catarina Palopo — Visit the positive impact community art project in Santa Catarina Palopo, where the towns, communities, and neighborhoods use art to renew themselves and generate social change. The project was initiated by journalist Harris Whitbeck who was inspired by the transformation of the Rio de Janeiro favelas and saw this painting project as an alternative to fishing and farming. Today, the technicolor streets of Santa Catarina have become one of the most photographed villages in Central America, sparking development, job opportunities, and empowerment of the local communities.