The Top 15 Lake Atitlán Adventures

If you are planning a trip to Guatemala, then Lake Atitlán is probably on your itinerary! I spent over 2 weeks on Lake Atitlán and it has definitely been a highlight of our whole trip through Central America. Many call it the “Lake Como” of Central America and it is best known for its majestic volcano views and colorful Mayan towns scattering the shores! The lake was formed from a massive volcanic crater and has a maximum depth of 340 meters. There is so much to do around Lake Atitlan, especially if you are an adventure seeker! Here are the top 15 adventurous things to do in Lake Atitlán.

Where to Stay in Lake Atitlán

Choosing where to stay in Lake Atitlán is probably the trickiest part and will depend on your time, budget and travel style. There are 12 Mayan towns surrounding the lake and each one offers a different vibe and experience. The good thing is that traveling from town to town is super easy on the public boats and only costs a few dollars each way. Here are the main ones:

1. Panajachel:

One of the largest towns on the lake and the spot that all the shuttles will bring you to. This is a good place to start or finish your Lake Atitlán trip (especially if you have an early/late shuttle). Panajachel is a great place to buy souvenirs, eat great food and party

2. Santa Cruz :

This was my favorite part of the lake to stay at because it is super chill and offers the best views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes. There is not a lot to do in Santa Cruz so it is the perfect spot to chill and relax.

3. San Marcos :

This is another popular area to stay in on the lake. This town is most known for the hippie, wellness, yoga vibe. If you enjoy yoga and wellness classes, vegan food, and crystals then San Marcos could be a good option for you

4. San Juan La Laguna:

While I did not stay in this town, it is my favorite to visit because it is so colorful. There are a number of accommodation options here and it is a lot more mellow than San Pedro

5. San Pedro:

This is another popular area on Lake Atitlán. It is known as the party spot on the lake and you will find a lot of bars and restaurants. It is also a good spot to stay if you are wanting to do the early morning sunrise hike. While I did not think San Pedro was the most beautiful place on Lake Atitlán I did like how close it was to some of the other towns (San Marcos & San Juan) which made it easy to take day trips here

6. Santa Catarina Palopó:

This town is growing in popularity as a tourist spot. The town was recently transformed by an art project that helped beautify the houses and bring attention to the traditional textiles and Mayan culture here.

La Fortuna

The Best Hotels & Hostels in Lake Atitlán

There are so many incredible places to stay in Lake Atitlán. We got to experience a couple luxury hotels as well as the best hostels around the lake and I can confidently recommend each spot.

Luxury Hotels on Lake Atitlan

Casa del Mundo – 100% this hotel is the best place to stay on the lake. The property looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale and has amazing views of the lake from every window. I loved the Guatemalan decor, delicious food and friendly staff. The swimming platforms and wood fired jacuzzi allow you to relax and enjoy the lake. The room prices start around $60 US – Book Here.
La Fortuna – tucked into the steep mountainside is this beautiful balinese style boutique hotel. The capacity at the resort is 16 people so it has a very exclusive, private feel. I highly recommend the Deluxe Suite 5 which has its own plunge pool and two story bungalow. There is also an onsite restuarant and bar, jacuzzi, VW bus sauna, and free paddle board rentals
Eagles Nest – I did not stay overnight here, but I did attend a 6 hour wellness workshop in the amazing yoga studio. If you are a yoga enthusiast I would recommend staying here and taking advantage of their all inclusive package. The open air yoga studio has an incredible view of Lake Atitlán and the food is delicious here. It overs a rustic chic vibe.

Budget Hostels on Lake Atitlán

Free Cerveza – The best hostel on Lake Atitlán 100%! You will feel like you are at adult summer camp and it’s the perfect place to spend a few nights at. The outdoor relaxing spaces make it the perfect place to read a book and enjoy the beautiful views. There are free paddle board rentals and free daily activities. Every night there is a family dinner and 2 hours of free beer. What more can you ask for! – Book Here
Dreamboat Hostel – This is another awesome hostel located in Panajachel. It’s known as a party spot, but the bar and quiet hours start at 10 pm so it is still really easy to sleep. It has a great location in town, fun staff and nightly themes in the bar area – Book Here
Mandala’s Hostal – Located in San Pedro I think this is the best spot to stay if you don’t want to be in a crazy party hostel (cough cough Mr. Mullets). I liked it because it was right in town, but offered a clean, quiet place to chill between activities. The vibe is a little more like a hotel so it isn’t the most social spot, but there are some nice common areas and you are close to all the action in San Pedro – Book Here

5 Things I never Travel Without

Travel Insurance – Heymondo has been my go-to for the last few years. I love how reasonable the prices are and how easy it is to sign up. They also include coverage of a bunch of adventurous activities! Click here for 5% off your policy.
Travel Credit Cards – Having a good travel credit card is a game changer! Not only do you get the benefit of zero transaction fees, but these cards provide other benefits such as, free Priority Pass, free TSA Pre-check/Global Entry, annual travel credits, great point earnings and travel partners. My two favorite cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X.
Kindle – I love reading and Kindle makes it so easy to download new books on the go!
Osprey Backpack – whether I’m hiking in Patagonia or backpacking Europe, Osprey offers versatile backpacks for any type of travel
AirPods – These are a total game changer for traveling. I love the noise cancelling capability because it makes airplanes silent and blocks out unwanted noise. They are so much easier to wear around than normal headphones.

Here are the Top 15 Things to do in Lake Atitlán

1. Indian Nose Sunrise Hike –

One of the top things to do in Lake Atitlán is the Indian Nose sunrise hike. The views of the sunrise over the lake are incredible, and on a clear day you can see all of the volcanoes including Fuego. Other than the very early wakeup, this hike is not very difficult. It takes about 45 minutes of hiking to reach the top. The first 15-20 minutes is pretty flat and the rest is stairs up the mountain. Most tours depart from San Pedro and are easily arranged in town or through your accommodation. Make sure to bring layers because it is COLD at the top.

Indian Nose Sunrise Hike

2. Paddle Board or Kayak on the Lake

Another great way to experience Lake Atitlán is to kayak or paddle board on the lake. A lot of accommodation (like Free Cerveza Hostel) provide paddle boards/kayaks free of charge. You will want to do this in the morning because it can get windy and a lot more chaotic on the water during the afternoon. The best areas to get on the water are around San Marcos and Santa Cruz. You will need to have some good balance to manage over the boat wakes.

3. Take a Yoga or Wellness Class

I highly recommend visiting Eagles Nest in San Marcos to attend one of their yoga classes or wellness events. The property is perched into the mountains overlooking the little town of San Marcos and the views are amazing. The yoga studio is open air and has the best view on the lake. I attended an ecstatic dance event at Eagles Nest and I really loved the different workshops and views while I attended the event. The cafe onsite is also delicious!

Eagles Nest Yoga

4. Mr. Mullets Boat Party

If you are keen for a bit of a party then Mr. Mullets Boat Party is the place to be. The event is held twice a month (check their IG for more info). Anyone is welcome to join the boat party, and for about $30 USD you get 5 mixed drinks and a few hours of fun cruising around the lake. By the end of the cruise everyone is dancing on the top deck. The boat party leaves from San Pedro.

Mr. Mullets Boat Party

5. Shop the colorful streets of San Juan la Laguna

My favorite town on Lake Atitlán is San Juan la Laguna. It is a very artsy area and colorful murals are everywhere. Make sure to check out La Calle de los Sombreros for the most colorful views. San Juan la Laguna is a great place to purchase handmade goods. Kemo is a store selling textiles that are all handmade by people in the community. You will also find many art galleries where you can buy paintings directly from the artist. If you get hungry, Cafe y Restaurant Alma de Colores serves delicious meals and proceeds support the disabled community. Utz Food and Bar is also a great spot if you want views of the water! I would plan to spend a few hours in San Juan la Laguna.

San Juan La Laguna

6. Brunch at Cafe Sabor Cruceño

One of the top places to eat in Lake Atitlán is Cafe Sabor Cruceño. The cafe has the best view of Lake Atitlán and the food is delicious. It is the perfect place to come for brunch. The cafe is run by the culinary school and they also hold various cooking class and textile workshops. The cafe is located in Santa Cruz, and requires a tuk tuk ride or steep walk up the hill from the boat dock.

Cafe Sabor Cruceño

7. Wednesday night Beer Pong Tournament at Dreamboat Hostel

Most likely you will spend at least a night in Panajachel. If it happens to be a Wednesday then I definitely recommend joining the beer pong tournament at Dreamboat Hostel. This is the best beer pong tournament I’ve participated in and it’s a great place to meet other travelers, even if you are not staying at the hostel. We won the tournament and our prize included free shirts, $50 USD and a free night at one of their sister hostels.

8. Cliff Jumping at Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve

It is really tempting to jump in the lake at all times, but in reality there are only a few areas deemed “safe” to swim (due to traffic and water quality). The Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve is one of the best spots to cool off in Lake Atitlán and for the adventure seekers there are some fun cliff jump spots. The reserve is in San Marcos and costs a few dollars to enter. Here you can swim, sunbathe, rent kayaks and even hike up to the mirador. In my opinion, this is one of the top things to do in Lake Atitlán.

9. Jacuzzi + Swim at Casa Del Mundo

Casa Del Mundo is a magical hotel located on Lake Atitlán. The first time we drove past on one of the boats I knew I had to experience staying here. Thankfully when my parents visited we were able to book a few nights at Casa Del Mundo. The hotel is beautiful and has good areas for swimming as well as an awesome wood-fired jacuzzi overlooking the lake. If you are not staying as a guest you can purchase a day pass to enjoy the lounge chairs, waterfront and delicious food.

Jacuzzi at Casa del Mundo

10. Visit the cultural town of Santa Catarina

Santa Catarina is a little more off the beaten path, but it is definitely worth checking out. We actually walked here from Panajachel one afternoon. This town is special because it was recently transformed by a project that sought out to beautify the community by painting the town and decorating with Mayan symbols. Now visitors can come stroll the colorful streets, visit some of the textile workshops and enjoy a snack at one the cafes.

11. Mini Golf and German Beer Garden at Picnic Lake Atitlán

Located in the less frequented town of Tzununa, El Picnic Atitlán offers a unique opportunity to play mini golf and enjoy a German beer garden. Sadly, when we tried to visit the beer garden was closed for the rainy season (Sep-Oct), but we were recommended by multiple people to visit here. It would be a great place to visit for lunch and the mini golf course looked like fun.

Santa Catarina

12. Zipline at Atitlán Nature Reserve

The Atitlán nature reserve is a gateway into the impressive nature of Lake Atitlán and a great place to explore the flora and fauna of the region. You can wander the nature trails or zip past waterfalls via one of the zip line courses. The reserve is open from 8-5 and is located just outside the center of Panajachel.

13. ATV tour around the lake

Taking an ATV around Lake Atitlán is a fun and exciting way to explore the area and learn more about the culture and unique towns that surround the lake. On these tours you get the opportunity to visit coffee houses, ceramic workshops and chocolate factories. Of course there are a few stops to enjoy the beaches and views of Lake Atitlán. Simoon! Tours operate the ATV tours around the lake.

14. Take a Spanish Class

One of the most popular things to do in Lake Atitlán is take a Spanish course. There are schools located in San Pedro and Panajachel if you are interested in improving your Spanish while you are in Guatemala. After classes you can spend the rest of the day exploring the lake. We took Spanish lessons in Antigua, but I can definitely recommend the experience because it is a great way to improve your skills and immerse yourself into the culture. San Pedro Spanish School is one of the top options.

15. Relax and read a book with an incredible view

I would definitely recommend leaving time for reading, napping and relaxing while you are visiting the lake. One of my favorite things to do in Lake Atitlán is post up in a nice hammock overlooking the lake and enjoy my book. Most accommodations have comfy places to relax in.