A trip to Guatemala would not be complete without a visit to beautiful Lake Atitlan. This tropical lake is surrounded by volcanos, lush forests, and boasts beautiful sunsets year round. While there are many incredible spots along the lake, this travel guide focuses on Panajachal the largest town on the lake, and a great place to start on your Guatemalan adventure to Lake Atitlan.

TRAVEL GUIDE: Panajachal, Guatemala

Regis Hotel & Spa - $$

Typically when we’re working at the lake, we have lots of scheduled meetings with artisan groups and have to travel around the region quite a bit. We have found that staying in the center of Panajachal (the largest town on the lake) has been the most convenient for our work schedule. The Regis Hotel & Spa has been a go-to spot for us for years. While it doesn’t boast lake views, it has beautiful grounds, clean rooms, and natural hot springs jacuzzi that are wonderful to relax in at the end of a long work day. The hotel is located in the center of Pana, so you can easily walk to restaurants, local markets, and the boat launch.

Accommodations for every budget and style:

There are so many amazing places to stay on Lake Atitlan and it’s surrounding towns. Whether you’re visiting for work or pleasure, there is a place for all budgets and needs. Since Panajachal is the launching point for most activities on the lake and surrounding area, we’ve narrowed our accommodation suggestions to that area (or a close boat ride away).

• Hotel Atitlan // $$$ - For a more traditional luxury hotel experience Hotel Atitlan is the place to stay. Located on the outskirts of Panajachal, the hotel property is worth visiting even if you don’t stay there. The extensive gardens boast exotic plants and birds from Guatemala, and is a peaceful place to spend an hour or two exploring. The hotel property is located right on the lake, with panoramic views. Even if you don’t stay at Hotel Atitlan, we recommend making reservations to have dinner and drinks at their onsite restaurant while watching the sunset.

• La Fortuna at Atitlan // $$$ - This boutique eco-resort has found itself on “best of" lists for several years now. Located a short boat ride from the main launch of Panajachal, the property is secluded and private. Boasting beautiful views of the lake and surrounding volcanos, La Fortuna is truly a place to relax.

• Selina Atitlan // $ - The Selina portfolio of hostels can be found in 60 countries around the world. One of their more recent additions has been Lake Atitlan. They infuse their properties with culture and flavor from the surrounding region, and can arrange a variety of local activities for you. If you’re a solo traveller or on a tight travel budget, this is a great option and a great place to meet other travelers. The accommodations range from community bunk rooms (female only rooms are available), to private rooms for two to four people.

Savor the local flavor in Panajachal:

Cafe Loco // Fuel up for your day with a brew from this fun local spot. Whether you need a hot coffee to get your brain pumping, or an iced latte to cool off your afternoon, this cult favorite located on Calle Santander can accommodate your caffeine needs.

Sunset Cafe // We’re a big fan of Mexican food no matter where in the world we actually are. Sunset Cafe is located right on the lake at the end of the main drag in Pana. While the food isn’t the most sophisticated, we’ve spent many an evening here at the end of a long work day, drinking a good margarita, eating chips and guac, and watching the sunset.

Ente Restaurant // While harder to reach, this little restaurant is worth the trek. It is located on the highway between Solola and Panajachal, and its higher elevation provides panoramic views overlooking the lake. Grab a cerveza and a brick fire pizza, relax in a hammock and take in the splendor below you.

Hotel Atitlan // As mentioned above, Hotel Atitlan has a great restaurant and bar onsite. If you want a more luxury dining experience, make reservations here and watch the sunset. The cuisine is a fusion of local and international flavors.

Learn about and shop for artisan goods

As you know, we’re passionate about artisan handicrafts around here. If you read our Antigua Travel Guide, then you know that Guatemala has a rich history of artisan handicrafts. We’ve been working with artisans in Guatemala for more than six years now and continue to fall in love the people and their craft each time we visit. Panajachal and Lake Atitlan are filled with artisan co-ops and shops where you can learn more about the cultural handicrafts of the region. Walk along Calle Santander, and you’ll see several co-op shops, and artisan booths.

Take a boat ride to one of the lake towns

From pottery to leatherwork, to natural dying and backstrap weaving - each town around Lake Atitlan boasts its own unique art and has its own personality. Even if you’re not interested in handicrafts, each town is worth exploring. Spend a day or two hopping around to the different towns to discover your favorite one. You can either hire a private boat to take you directly where you want, or a more economical option is to hop on the public boats. Boats leave from the public launch every half hour to hour, so you can easily catch a ride to any of the towns.

For pottery, visit San Antonio Palopo; for leather, Santiago Atitlan, for natural dying techniques and weaving, visit San Juan La Laguna.

Hike a volcano

Guatemala is located in the ring of fire, and there are thirty-seven volcanos across the country. Lake Atitlan actually fills the basin of a caldera (volcanic crater), and is surrounded by three volcanos. There is extensive hiking trail systems throughout the area, but we recommend joining a guided tour to hike the volcanos.

Take Heart, Take Flight.

-Travel Patterns Team