Lake Atitlan Towns: Things To Do & See (2023)

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Lake Atitlan is known for being one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala.

From stunning volcano views to epic hikes at sunrise, delicious Guatemalan food and an abundance of local homestay Spanish schools, it’s not one to miss when backpacking Guatemala.

But before I visited Lake Atitlan, I didn’t realise just how big it is! I had no idea that there were so many towns around the lake, and that each one is known for its own personality and charm.

You can spend a few days in each Lake Atitlan town and have an entirely different experience in each (and you’re likely to prefer some more than others).

So if you only have a short amount of time in Lake Atitlan, or want to make sure you pick the right place to stay, this post is for you.

I outline why each Lake Atitlan town is special, what to do there and where to stay. By the end of this post, you’ll know everything you need to know about choosing the right Lake Atitlan town for you!

So, let’s get started and find out about the towns around Lake Atitlan, what they’re known for and what to do there!

Still have a question about the best Lake Atitlan towns? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!

🇬🇹 Other Guatemala posts:

• 10 Best Lake Atitlan Spanish Schools
• Lake Atitlan Boat Schedule: How Do Lanchas Work?
• Antigua To Lake Atitlan Guatemala: Step-By-Step Guide

Lake Atitlan Towns: A Summary

Let’s start with how big Lake Atitlan is. It’s huge.

In fact, Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America and covers an area of approximately 130 square kilometres. It’s over six miles wide, and 12 miles long.

In short, it’s too big to visit all of the Lake Atitlan towns in one day. You simply have to pick between one or two towns and stick to them if you’re on a time limit.

Formed as a result of volcanic and tectonic movements, the lake is surrounded by three dormant volcanoes and is known for having cultural and spiritual significance for the Mayan community.

Now reserved by UNESCO, Lake Atitlan has a population of roughly 500,000 people, is surrounded by 12 indigenous communities and has over 22 languages spoken in the area.

For this reason, it often attracts eco-tourists and digital nomads wanting to enjoy the local cultures, traditions and scenic beauty of the lake.

If you only have a short amount of time to enjoy Lake Atitlan, don’t worry. It’s beautiful, and even just a few days in one of the towns will be an amazing experience.

If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick list summarising what each Lake Atitlan town is best for.

• On a budget: San Pedro or Panajachel
• Partying: San Pedro
• Destination hostels: Santa Cruz (check out Free Cerveza)
• Local culture: Santiago
• Solo travellers: San Pedro
• A unique free spirit experience: San Marcos
• Swimming and watersports: San Marcos
• Restaurants, bars and pubs: Panajachel
• Yoga and wellness: San Marcos, Jaibalito

All towns can easily be reached by lancha (the type of boat that travels between the towns on the lake), but the main transport and tourist hub is Panajachel.

If you’re coming from Antigua or El Paredon, your bus will stop in Panajachel first. From here, you will need to board a lancha to the town that your accommodation is in.

Not sure about boats, lanchas and travelling around the lake? Check out my full lanchas around Lake Atitlan guide here!

1. Panajachel

Panajachel (aka ‘Pana’) is the main tourist hub in Lake Atitlan. It’s more built up than the other towns, with lots of backpacker hostels, restaurants, bars and late-night clubs.

Panajachel sits on the water and has some incredible views of the surrounding towns and volcanoes.

You’ll often find long lines of tourists queuing for a photo with the large ‘PANA’ heart sign overlooking the water, or trying to clamber onto one of the pretty swings with a backdrop of the volcanoes.

Along the water’s edge, there are bustling market stalls and street food vans, as well as vendors selling cheap alcohol to attract backpackers (think Full Moon Party, Thailand, vibes).

Calle Santander, the main street in Panajachel, is full of colourful stalls and vendors selling homemade textiles, crafts, souvenirs and clothes.

It’s also packed to the brim with restaurants, coffee shops and pubs, and most have two (or even three) floors of sellers trying to maximise the space!

Pana is also the only place around Lake Atitlan where you get food chains such as Dominoes!

It isn’t the calmest of towns, and there’s a lot going on. If you’re not into busy, chaotic and bustling streets, Panajachel might not be right the Lake Atitlan town for you.

Personally, I loved Panajachel, and I enjoyed dining out, partying and socialising there. However, after staying for a few nights, I felt I had exhausted all of my options, and was happy to move on.

Panajachel is easily walkable, but there are tuk-tuks if you’re carrying heavy luggage (you’ll just need to squeeze in a little or balance your backpack on your head… not kidding).

It may say on your Uber app that Ubers are available, however, they’re not. We ended up waiting 45 minutes for one that didn’t exist.

Even if you’re not staying in Panajachel, it’s likely you’ll pass through it to reach one of the other towns. It’s where the main boat dock is, and where you will board lanchas to sail on over to your accommodation or explore the other towns.

Where to stay in Panajachel

Panajachel has hundreds of hotels, hostels and Airbnb’s to choose from, so it’s often one of the cheapest and best places to stay on a backpacker’s budget.

If you’re visiting for the first time, I recommend staying at one of the following places in Panajachel:

• Selina: for digital nomads wanting a co-working hub and somewhere to meet other people in Panajachel. ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Dreamboat Hostel: for solo backpackers and those who want to party – and party hard – in Panjachel (they greet you with an alcohol funnel as you arrive). ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Hotel Atitlan: for couples who want to relax with a swimming pool, enjoy onsite food and have incredible lakeside views in Panajachel. ➡ BOOK NOW!

What to do in Panajachel

There are so many things to do in Panajachel, and if you’re staying there, you don’t even need to travel to any other towns to have a good time!

Here are some of my favourite things to do in Panajachel!

• Study Spanish. There are so many incredible Spanish schools in Panajachel, and most offer homestays to get a true local Guatemalan experience! Lesson prices are cheap, and often include extracurricular activities such as movie nights, hiking weekends and local excursions. You can read about the best Lake Atitlan Spanish schools here!

• Shop! As I said, Calle Santander is one of the busiest and most frantic streets in the whole of Lake Atitlan. No visit to the area is complete without shopping from the local vendors – some of the textiles and crafts they handmake are fantastic!

• Take a cooking class. Ever wanted to learn how to make Guatemalan food? Panajachel is where most of the local cooking classes take place.

• Party. Panajachel is known for its partying. You don’t have to walk too far to see the pubs, bars and clubs lit up after sundown. We especially loved The Little Spoon for its Thursday night quiz nights and low-key pre-drinks.

• Hike. Panajachel is the start of many amazing hiking trails around Lake Atitlan.

• Eat! Some of our favourite Lake Atitlan restaurants were in Panajachel. We especially loved Guajimbo’s on Calle Santander (we actually went back there 3 times).

2. San Pedro La Laguna

San Pedro is known for being the ‘party town’ in Lake Atitlan. Home of Mr Mullet’s famous boat party, if you want a good (and wild) time, you’ll end up in San Pedro.

During the day, San Pedro has a laid-back atmosphere and is home to some of the best hikes and Spanish schools in Lake Atitlan.

It’s also one of the best Lake Atitlan towns for low-budget accommodation, so many backpackers and digital nomads end up staying here for a while!

Whilst it’s known for being a backpacker’s party haven, it also has a calmer side. Full of cute restaurants, cobbled streets, colourful murals and narrow alleyways to explore, it’s a lovely town to stay in for a few days.

San Pedro is also one of the best places in Lake Atitlan to do yoga, meditation and wellness retreats.

Where to stay in San Pedro

San Pedro is one of the cheapest towns to stay in on Lake Atitlan. For this reason, there are lots of backpacker hostels and apartments that might be suitable for your stay. Here are some of the best-rated and recommended stays:

• Mr Mullets: the ultimate party hostel, hosting bar crawls and boat parties on a regular basis. They also have a fully stocked, social bar with with 2 for 1 drinks during happy hour, which happens every night from 4-6 pm! ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Mandala’s Hostel: for backpackers looking for a basic yet comfortable stay in San Pedro. ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Monaco: a beautiful spot in San Pedro for couples or families wanting an incredible lake view! ➡ BOOK NOW!

What to do in San Pedro

As San Pedro is one of the busiest towns in Lake Atitlan, there are plenty of things to do.

Some of the best things to do in San Pedro include:

• Learning Spanish. Just like Panajachel, San Pedro is home to some of the best local Spanish schools! You can find out more about their prices, timetables and lessons here!

• Party. It’s a backpacker town, so expect to party (a lot). Bar Sublime was one of our favourites.

• Book a yoga retreat. Immerse yourself in the calmer side of the lake!

• Do the Indian Nose sunrise hike. I highly recommend booking a tour guide for this, especially due to it being for sunrise and partially in the dark.

• Go hiking or take a dip in the water. There are lots of local hikes and watersport options in San Pedro. San Pedro volcano is one of the most well-known hikes in the area!

• Socialise. Meet other travellers from your hostel and the local bars.

• Take a day trip to one of the other Lake Atitlan towns. Board a lancha and sail over to San Juan or one of the other nearby towns!

• Visit the thermal pools – (los thermales) for a relaxing day out with incredible volcano views.

• Soak in some of the culture at a local market. The colours of the streets in San Pedro town are so beautiful, and the locals are friendly and welcoming (even if you don’t speak Spanish!)

3. Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a small lakeside town on the northern side of Lake Atitlan. It’s best known for its destination hostels (a hostel where you don’t need to leave, they provide all of the activities, nightlife, food and fun for you).

We stayed at Free Cerveza when we were in Santa Cruz and loved it. We laughed from the moment we arrived to the minute we left.

From meeting other backpackers, paddleboarding, and partying until the early hours (in Panajachel, not the hostel itself), Free Cerveza is the perfect spot to stay if you want a memorable stay in Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz itself isn’t big. It’s located on a hillside, so if you want to walk anywhere other than your hostel, you’ll need to trek uphill (the ATM is up there, and it’s a killer to reach).

However, it’s a good starting point to hike to Jaibalito or San Marcos, as well as some of the surrounding waterfalls.

Most of the people living in Santa Cruz are locals, so there’s definitely a more authentic vibe here than some of the larger towns.

We loved our accommodation in Santa Cruz, but as a town, we preferred travelling elsewhere for the atmosphere.

There aren’t many restaurants or bars, and your best option is just to stay in your hostel or apartment and create your own fun.

This is perfect if you have a hostel like Free Cerveza, but if your accommodation is a bit pants, you may feel a little cooped up!

Where to stay in Santa Cruz

As I said, if you’re staying in Santa Cruz, picking the right accommodation is crucial. There isn’t much to do there, so you want somewhere that’s going to entertain you!

Santa Cruz is on a ridiculously steep hill, although most tourist accommodations are located by the water, so unless you’re venturing elsewhere, you can avoid it.

Both of the hostels listed below provide breakfast, lunch and dinner at a small additional cost. As I said, as they’re ‘destination hostels’, you don’t need to leave the hostel whatsoever once you’re there!

• Free Cerveza: one of our favourite Central America hostels for so many reasons! Check out my full review of Free Cerveza here, or just ➡ BOOK NOW!

• La Iguana Perdida: This is more of a party hostel than Free Cerveza, but is only a 10-minute walk away. Perfect for socializing and late-night drinking. We stayed here for a few nights and loved it – especially the food! ➡ BOOK NOW!

What to do in Santa Cruz

Whilst you may find some blogs out there telling you about the hundreds of things to do in Santa Cruz, we didn’t find this to be the case.

In fact, we headed out of Santa Cruz via lancha if we wanted to do anything apart from socialising at the hostel.

I’m not saying there isn’t a lot to do there, but it’s definitely quieter than any of the other Lake Atitlan towns we visited.

If you are staying in Santa Cruz and want something to do, I recommend:

• Hiking to San Marcos or Jaibalito.

• Heading out onto the water using Free Cerveza’s free paddleboards.

• Having a family dinner and meeting other backpackers at your hostel.

• Watching the sunset over the lake.

• Checking out the local town. Santa Cruz is where many of the locals live, so walking around is pretty cool, even if it is quiet!

4. San Marcos La Laguna

Next up is the iconic San Marcos. Why is it iconic, I hear you ask? Well, my first visit to San Marcos was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

I felt like I had been transported back to the ’60s.

You won’t find many people wearing shoes in San Marcos. Dreadlocks are a common hairstyle, for both men and women.

If you’ve ever wanted to delve into your spiritual side, there aren’t many better places in the world to do it than San Marcos.

(Expect a distinct smell of something familiar being smoked pretty much everywhere you walk in San Marcos).

It’s an unusual and memorable town to visit and is well worth the trip. I’d never been anywhere like it in my life!

Whilst walking through the narrow streets of San Marcos, you’ll stroll past crystal healing offerings, drumming circles, spiritual rituals, medicinal mushroom sales, vegan cafes, sound baths, reiki sessions and more.

It’s kind of like most of the hippies in the world (old and young) have gathered here to leave the rest of the world behind. It’s an experience, to say the least!

The thing is, it’s not for everyone. And you’re either going to love it or hate it. I’m not too spiritual, so it was a little out of my comfort zone, but I loved walking around and seeing how the people here lived.

In addition to this, it’s a great Lake Atitlan town for vegetarian and vegan cafes, coffee and digital nomad spots, so we actually spent quite a bit of time there.

If you’re visiting San Marcos, don’t expect to see many local Guatemalans. Most of the people living here are either American or European, so there isn’t much of a traditional Guatemalan vibe.

Where to stay in San Marcos

San Marcos isn’t too big, so wherever you stay, you’re likely to be close to the main town.

• Lush Atitlan: a great spot for couples who want to stay in San Marcos with mountain, lake or garden views. ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Kula Maya Boutique Hotel and Spa: For a once-in-a-lifetime luxury stay in San Marcos. ➡ BOOK NOW!

What to do in San Marcos

Good news – there are lots of fun things to do in San Marcos. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s one of the best Lake Atitlan towns for a day trip.

Here are some of my best San Marcos recommendations:

• Take a leap off the 8-foot diving platform! Tourists travel from all over the lake to swim in San Marcos because it’s one of the cleanest and safest spots on the lake to do so.

• Stroll the streets. If you’ve read the section above about San Marcos, you’ll know why!

• Drink coffee in one of the cafes. Our favourite was Circles!

• Attend the Saturday market. This happens on the main street and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! (Think eclectic, out-of-this-world, spiritual vibes…)

• Go shopping. There are so many little trinkets and homemade items to buy from the stalls!

• Take part in an immersive, 5-hour cacao ceremony (find out more about the chocolate shaman here!)

• Book a wellness workshop or yoga retreat. They are in abundance over in San Marcos. Walking down the main streets, you will see flyers and posters for all sorts of workshops and classes, including ones where you learn all about respecting your yoni!

• Hike the ‘Mayan Trail’ from San Marcos to Santa Cruz. This takes 2-3 hours, so try to do it either early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. (I also advise not doing this alone, as it’s a path known for robberies).

5. San Juan La Laguna

San Juan is located on the western shore of Lake Atitlan and is one of the smallest and (in my opinion) one of the most underrated towns on the lake.

Even if you don’t stay overnight, San Juan is a great day trip and is worth visiting for at least a morning or afternoon.

Easily accessed by lancha, San Juan is known for being the ‘artistic’ hub on Lake Atitlan.

With an abundance of market stalls selling colourful textiles and crafts, murals painted on walls by talented artists and streets full of art installations like ‘Umbrella Street’ (a street full of colourful hanging umbrellas), it’s easily one of the most photographic towns in Lake Atitlan.

It also has a quieter and calmer sense to it than some of the other Lake Atitlan towns, meaning you can just walk around and enjoy it at your own pace.

The majority of locals in San Juan La Laguna are of the Tz’utujil Maya community. We found everyone there to be friendly and welcoming, even with our very embarrassing and limited Spanish skills.

One of our favourite things to do in San Juan was to swing in the hammocks on the water’s edge.

There are also lots of little cafes and restaurants that overlook the lake, where you can spend hours reading, getting cosy and drinking coffee.

It’s also the starting point for the El Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint, which is a little easier than the Indian Nose hike.

It still offers great views of the lake and the surrounding volcanoes, and should only take around 15 minutes to reach from the northern part of town.

As you climb the stairs of the trail, be sure to look at the colourful paintings and artwork lined between each one – there isn’t a lot of San Juan that’s not covered in artwork!

The Indian Nose viewpoint can be accessed from San Juan, but it’s a steep, few-hour climb. If you want to take the ‘easier’ trail, I recommend jumping in a red tuk-tuk to Santa Clara or travelling over to San Pedro first. You can check out tours and guides to Indian Nose here, but most start from San Pedro!

Alternatively, you can hike to Santa Clara from San Juan, which takes around 3 hours.

TOP TIP: Robbery is common on some of Lake Atitlan’s hiking trails, especially amongst gringos. But don’t let this put you off hiking – just stay in a group or hire a local tour guide.

Where to stay in San Juan

There are a few hotels and apartments to choose from in San Juan, including:

• Eco-Hotel Mayachik: One of the most popular hotels in San Juan, with a terrace and views of the mountains, as well as an onsite restaurant. ➡ BOOK NOW!

• El Chirris Tzanjay: A great hostel in San Juan with a garden, shared lounge and beautiful views of the lake. Both private and dorm rooms are available. ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Mundo Abu: Lovely lakeside cabins with a terrace, perfect for couples. ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Casa Argentina: Private apartments with a garden, onsite restaurant and 24-hour front desk. ➡ BOOK NOW!

What to do in San Juan

There are so many lovely things to do in San Juan, including:

• Walking around the colourful streets and taking photos of the murals, graffiti and artwork.

• Shopping in the local markets

• Learning about local Mayan cultures and traditions on a San Juan guided tour

• Taking a coffee tour to a nearby coffee plantation

• Hiking to the El Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint

• Admiring the lake views from a coffee shop or waterside hammock (our favourite was La Cabana)

• Walking around the San Juan Catholic Church

• Swimming at Playa las Cristalinas, a nearby beach

• Learning about beekeeping, honey and Guatemalan bees on a beehive and beekeeping tour (it’s a little different, why not?!)

6. Jaibalito

Located between Santa Cruz and San Marcos, Jaibalito sits on the northern shores of the lake. It is often referred to as Lake Atitlan’s ‘quietest’ village.

It’s rarely visited by tourists and was a stop our lancha frequently made to pick up locals and take them to work in another town.

Jaibalito is the least developed town on Lake Atitlan. You can’t access it by road, and it’s really only for tourists who want to slow down and do pretty much… nothing.

However, it’s a great insight into Mayan life, as there are such few tourists and plenty of locals in the area.

There aren’t many restaurants or cafes, but there are a couple of unique accommodations to sleep in.

One of the biggest attractions to Jaibalito is staying at Casa Del Mundo. Only accessed by boat, it sits on the cliff’s edge and has a great spot to jump into the lake or launch a kayak. It’s quite secluded, but it’s a unique hotel if you’d like something a little different.

Every time we passed Casa Del Mundo on our lancha, we would see groups dancing at the side of the lake, or sunbathing and doing nothing with a book in hand!

I’m not quite sure of the vibe they’re going for, but I think it must depend on the people staying there…😂

Where to stay in Jaibalito

• Casa Del Mundo: a cliff-edge hotel with a private beach area and restaurant. Perfect for couples and groups! ➡ BOOK NOW!

• Sacred Garden Yoga Retreat: For those who want to participate in a remote yoga and wellness retreat near Jaibalito! ➡ BOOK NOW!

What to do in Jaibalito

As I previously mentioned, there isn’t a lot going on in Jaibalito.

It’s more of a slow-paced half-day trip to see the local life and culture. But if you are in Jaibalito, here are some of the best things to do.

• Jump in the water at Casa Del Mundo.

• Eat tasty pies, cakes and eclairs at The Thirsty Baker, a cafe started by Norman, a New Yorker!

• Try delicious German food at Posada De Jaibalito (random, but it’s meant to be good!)

• Hike the Mayan trail to Santa Cruz or San Marcos (I advise not doing this alone, as it’s a path known for robberies).

• Shop at the local markets.

• Relax, read a book and soak in the beauty of Lake Atitlan at the water’s edge!

7. Santiago Atitlan

Santiago is one of the more traditional and authentic Mayan villages on Lake Atitlan. Located on the southern shores of the lake, it is nestled between San Lucas and San Pedro and is a popular day trip for backpackers.

When strolling through the town, you’ll notice many of the locals are in traditional clothing. Most women will be wearing traditional huipiles (tunic-like, colourful clothes) and men will be in similar colours (with trousers rather than a skirt).

This is one of the few places around Lake Atitlan where you’ll see the men in traditional clothing, as in most of the towns, they’ll be wearing jeans and a T-shirt!

Sadly, Santiago has a tragic history of massacres by the government on civilians, and if you’re visiting, it’s worth hiring a local guide to find out more.

Santiago is now filled with 45,000 joyful inhabitants living in harmony in one of the most beautiful towns on the entire lake.

One of the biggest appeals of visiting Santiago (and what caught our attention) is paying a trip to see the immortal Maximón – pronounced ma-she-mon.

Learning about this mischievous deity (who chain-smokes and loves whiskey) is one of the strangest yet most interesting things to do in Lake Atitlan. I mean, who doesn’t want to meet a devilish saint?!

Represented by a wooden statue dressed in colourful clothing, Maximón is handed to a local elected family to look after each year. When you arrive in Santiago, you’ll have to use your detective skills to seek him out and find the home in which he is living.

Unlike most saints, Maximón grants wishes that may not be deemed appropriate by other deities (think immense wealth, desires and so on).

Whilst many visit Maximón for their maleficent prayers to be answered, some men like to sit with him to drink spirits (pardon the pun), smoke and tell tales of the wives they have left behind.

Where else do you get that in the world?

Apart from this unique visit to a taboo saint, you can also go shopping in the local markets, visit the main park plaza, go bird watching and admire the colourful graffiti and murals in Santiago.

Where to stay in Santiago

• Casa Josefa Hotel: a great hotel in Santiago with a swimming pool and sauna. ➡ BOOK NOW!

• La Riviera Atitlán Apartment: a stunning private apartment with a pool and lakeside views. ➡ BOOK NOW!

What to do in Santiago

Although it’s not a town often visited by tourists (apart from those seeking out the brazen Maximo), there are plenty of things to do in Santiago. These include:

• Hiking to some of the nearby volcanoes (Volcan Tolimán and Volcan Atitlán)

• Hiring a local guide to tell you more about Santiago and its history.

• Seeking out Maximón in one of the local’s houses (this isn’t an easy task!)

• Visiting the local market, with the busiest days being Friday and Sunday.

• Taking a Mayan weaving class.

• Visiting Parque Central, the main plaza in Santiago. Expect lots of locals, life and colourful murals.

• Eating delicious local food. There aren’t many international options, but there are some incredible local spots. Check out Germinacion Cocina-Bistro for some of the best and cheapest food in Santiago.

Other towns in Lake Atitlan

Whilst these may be some of the best Lake Atitlan towns, there are others!

In fact, there are 11 Lake Atitlan towns, so if you want to visit them all, you’ll need to stay for quite a while!

Some of the other notable Lake Atitlan towns include:

• San Lucas Tolimán: For an authentic Guatemalan experience with great hiking, food and swimming
• Santa Catarina Palopó: a brightly coloured town on Lake Atitlan with hot springs and Mayan history.
• San Antonio Palopó: a small local town, mostly inhabiting people of the Cakchiquel Maya community.

All Lake Atitlan towns can be accessed via lancha. Simply tell the driver where you’re going, and they’ll take you!

Read next: How do lanchas on Lake Atitlan work? Boat schedules, prices and more!

Learning Spanish in Lake Atitlan

Guatemala is one of the best countries in Central America to learn Spanish, and Lake Atitlan is undoubtedly one of the prettiest and most adventurous locations to take lessons in!

Spanish classes in Lake Atitlan are cheap. Even one-to-one lessons or small group classes are affordable for budget backpackers. 

Most even offer affordable homestays with delicious home-cooked meals made by a local Mayan family.

Lake Atitlan is one of the best places in Latin America to learn Spanish, especially if you are continuing to travel south of the continent, as it becomes harder and harder to communicate with locals in English.

If you want to find out more about homestays and learning Spanish in Lake Atitlan, check out my detailed Spanish school guide here.

Lake Atitlan towns: FAQs

1) What is the prettiest town on Lake Atitlan?

This all depends on personal preference! San Juan may be considered the prettiest because of its colourful streets, or Panajachel because of its sunset views. San Marcos has incredible cliff views over the lake, whilst Santa Cruz has some epic hiking viewpoints.

In truth, all of the towns in Lake Atitlan are pretty in their own way.

2) Where is the best place to stay on Lake Atitlan as a budget backpacker?

San Pedro or Panajachel are the best towns to stay in Lake Atitlan if you are a backpacker on a budget. This is because there is an abundance of hostels and cheap hotels, as well as pubs and bars for bar crawls and cheap nights out!

3) How many days do you need in Lake Atitlan?

As Lake Atitlan is only a 2-hour shuttle from Antigua, it’s worth visiting for at least 2-3 nights. It’s one of the most magical and spiritual places in Guatemala and is so worth a visit!

Two or three nights in Lake Atitlan gives you enough time to explore some of the villages by lancha (local speed boat), do some hiking, admire the volcanic views, kayak or swim in the lake and experience some of the magic Lake Atitlan has to offer.

4) Is it OK to swim in Lake Atitlan?

Yes, you can swim in Lake Atitlan! However, it’s best to find quieter spots rather than near the big docks because of the pollution and dirt gathering from the boats. 

Our favourite swimming spot in Lake Atitlan was next to the dock at Free Cerveza, or the San Marcos cliff jumping area.

Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America

If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Lake Atitlan Towns: In A Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Lake Atitlan towns. Hopefully you’ll feel a little more confident now when it comes to booking a place to stay!

When you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at real-life travellers wanting authentic and down-to-earth information. 

I’m currently balancing travelling around the world and living in London with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Guatemala content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

🇬🇹 Other Guatemala posts:

• 10 Best Lake Atitlan Spanish Schools
• Antigua To Rio Dulce + Livingston (Guatemala) FULL Guide
• What To Wear In Antigua Guatemala (That Isn’t Ugly)
• Antigua To Leon (Guatemala to Nicaragua) FULL Guide
• OX Expeditions Guatemala Review: Volcano Hikes + More