The Best Things to do in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan

If you’ve read any of my previous Guatemala blog posts, you know that I am in love with this country. I visited on a solo trip this past November and I am already planning my return trip. I’ve traveled extensively through Latin America, most of South America, some of Central America, and a bit of the Caribbean and Guatemala is hands down one of my favorite countries in the region. The vibrant colors, the people, the tranquility of Lake Atitlan, the delicious vegetarian friendly food, and so much more! In this post, I am going to specifically dive into the best things to do in Panajachel, the gateway to Lake Atitlan.

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Where I went on my solo trip to Guatemala

I went on a solo trip to Guatemala last November for 10 days. I landed in Guatemala City and then went straight to Antigua. I split my trip between Antigua and Lake Atitlan. While I know there is much more to see in different areas of Guatemala, I think this split was perfect for a first timer’s trip. Plus, I plan on returning!

By the way Guatemala (especially Antigua) is a great place for foodie’s. If you’re interested in reading about the top restaurants in Antigua (veggie friendly!) + some of the best things to do there, check out this Antigua, Guatemala travel guide.

Why visit Lake Atitlan and how much time to spend here?

I’ve seen some blog posts say that you can do a day trip to Lake Atitlan and that completely baffles me. It’s at least a 2 hour drive from Antigua and it’s a massive lake (about 50 sq miles and it’s the deepest lake in Central America) with 11 small villages around the lake. A day trip would not do this place justice and it would just be exhausting.

While it would be challenging to visit all 11 villages (unless you’re spending quite a bit of time here), I’d at least recommend a minimum of 3 nights so that you can see a few of the villages. 

Lake Atitlan is easily the most beautiful lake I’ve been to. I’m not sure photos truly capture its beauty. I think my jaw literally dropped when I first saw the lake. More than just the awe inspiring views and the natural beauty, the big draw for me is the calming energy and the sense of tranquility. It’s truly a perfect place to just reflect and be at peace. You’ll find that all of the small towns surrounding the lake have a laid back, welcoming vibe. 

Why stay in Panajachel?

Panajachel is the gateway to the rest of the towns in Lake Atitlan making it one of the most practical places to stay when visiting Lake Atitlan. You can easily hop on a lancha (water taxi) to get to any of the towns from here. It’s also more developed than some of the other towns so you’ll find a wide variety of accommodation options and restaurants. I think it was a great town to stay in for my first trip to Guatemala especially considering I wanted to check out some of the other towns as well. 

Is Panajachel safe?

There is good reason to ask this question as a lot of people have a preconceived notion that Guatemala is unsafe. While Guatemala isn’t crime free, places like Antigua and Lake Atitlan are pretty safe given the amount of travelers who visit both destinations. 

In Panajachel I felt safe as a solo traveler. I had no problems walking around or taking a tuk tuk back to my hotel after dinner at night. I didn’t stay out too late and was usually back in my hotel around 9-10 PM. That being said, Panajachel is larger than the other towns around the lake so it’s good to keep an eye out as parts of it can feel a little seedy. 

In addition to the below safety tips, be sure to exercise common sense and good judgment.

• Don’t do any hikes alone. If you’re traveling solo, either go with a tour group or find some others to hike with
• Avoid wandering around after dark. While I felt safe at night, I think it’s always a good rule of thumb to not wander around after dark or stick to areas that have more people milling about and definitely stay in well-lit areas
• Don’t wear anything too flashy and keep an eye on your valuables (this is my advice for really anywhere you travel to!)

12 Things to do in Panajachel 

Let’s get into some of the best things to do in Panajachel (of course, some of them involve eating!)

Watch the sunset every single night

This is always my favorite thing to do when I travel and the sunsets over Lake Atitlan are so special. I watched the sunset from the boardwalk one night, from my hotel another, and then from a bar called Azul Rosa my last night. It’s not hard to find a great place to watch the sunset in Panajachel.

Walk along the boardwalk

Once you walk down Calle Santander, you’ll hit the boardwalk that curves around the edge of the lake. There are usually some vendors and a few touristy signs you can take pictures with but if you skip all that, you can just enjoy a nice walk with beautiful views of the lake. 

Lunch at Little Spoon

Head to the terrace of Little Spoon and grab a delicious, vegan and vegetarian lunch. While this isn’t traditional Guatemalan food, it’s a tasty spot. I loved their Green Monster smoothie the best and went back for it multiple times. The terrace also has a great view over Panajachel and is the perfect place to sit and stay awhile.

Grab a coffee at Crossroads

This little coffee shop is definitely the spot if you’re a coffee lover. Guatemalan owned and operated, they roast the coffee themselves and their desserts are so good! I got the cheesecake and it was the perfect complement to my coffee. It’s also away from the main street and other touristy, not as tasty coffee shops.

Eat Indian food at Delhi 6

What? Indian food in Panajachel? I get it. I was skeptical as well. As much as I love trying local food when I’m traveling, seeing an Indian restaurant in Lake Atitlán really caught my eye and I had to try it. As an Indian-American, I am incredibly picky about my Indian food and I’m usually disappointed by most Indian restaurants. I was blown away by this restaurant. The food was incredibly authentic and they were playing some bangers. I was singing at the top of my lungs with a table full of dishes. Were people staring at me? Probably. Did I care? Absolutely not. I had such a great, unexpected time at this restaurant. 

Get a drink at Exotic drinks

I love a good cocktail and when I was searching for a place to grab a drink in Panajachel this spot near the boardwalk popped up. When I went to find it, I realized it was a little stand owned and operated by the kindest man. He makes cocktails with fresh fruit and they are absurdly delicious. He pulled out a stool and made me a makeshift table and while I enjoyed the cocktail, we talked (in Spanish) about the different villages around the lake. I learned that each village has its own Mayan color! This was easily my favorite place to grab a drink. What a unique and wonderful experience. 

Spend a day at Casa del Mundo

Okay so this is technically not in Panajachel but it’s close enough that I had to include it. If you hop on a lancha towards Jaibalito, you’ll stop just shy of the town for Casa del Mundo (they have their own dock). This hotel has some of the best views of Lake Atitlan and I spent a wonderful day here. I started with coffee and then grabbed my book and laid in one of the many hammocks on the property, just enjoying the view. When I got hungry, I walked back up to their restaurant and had a delicious lunch of Guatemalan enchiladas (vegetarian of course!). It’s truly a great spot to spend a day!

Experience local culture through street food

As I was walking down Calle Santander one evening, I saw a little unassuming stand surrounded by locals. I watched as someone would order, grab a little plastic stool and join the others seated at folding tables, chatting animatedly. Enticed by the delicious scents wafting off the cart as well as the community that had effortlessly gathered around, I had to make a stop. After confirming that what I was about to eat was indeed vegetarian, I grabbed myself a stool and enjoyed my tasty treat while listening to snippets of conversation around me. This is why I love food so much – it gives you a beautiful window into local culture. It’s not just about the food itself but the customs surrounding it. 

Take a yoga class

Of course, yoga is popular at Lake Atitlán. It fits into the laidback, rejuvenating energy of this magical part of Guatemala. Why not take an early morning class and start your day off on the right foot? Eagles Nest, located in San Marcos La Laguna, is a popular spot for yoga. If you don’t want to travel to another town, Selina Atitlán offers yoga classes. Or, do as I did, and just do yoga on your own with the lake in the background.

Learn Spanish

People travel to Guatemala just to learn Spanish. The Spanish here is easy to understand and much easier to pick up than in other countries in Latin America. This, of course, means it’s turned into a popular place to learn Spanish with lots of schools around the country. Lake Atitlán is no different and you’ll find that most of the towns have a Spanish school, including Panajachel. Though I didn’t personally take classes, I think this is a wonderful thing to do in Panajachel if you’re interested in learning Spanish. I found this school which is Mayan owned.

Go shopping

I’ll be honest, I rarely shop when I’m traveling. Part of the reason is because I only travel with a backpack so there isn’t much room. If you’re someone who is into shopping and you’re looking for handicrafts and textiles, stop at Tinamit Maya (the Mercado de Artesanías) located on Calle Santander. You’ll find lots of stalls selling everything you can think of from paintings to carvings to handicrafts. 

Simply relax

There is so much to see and do in Panajachel and the other towns around the lake but the best part about being in Lake Atitlán is having the opportunity to pause, reflect, and just relax. Grab your journal and head to a picturesque spot (it won’t be hard to find one) and spend some time jotting down your thoughts. If you’re not a big journal person, that’s okay, grab a book and do the same. You’re never going to be able to see all there is to see or do everything there is to do. So give yourself the permission to embrace slow travel and soak in the positive vibes of the lake. 

Other towns around Lake Atitlan to visit 

As I mentioned before, there are 11 towns around this beautiful lake. A lot of blogs will tell you that you can see 2-3 towns a day and while that is technically doable, it feel pretty rushed to me. Remember, part of the charm of Lake Atitlán is taking everything a little slower. I personally just did one town a day and, besides Panajachel and my day at Casa del Mundo, I visited San Juan La Laguna and Santa Catarina Palopó. 

San Juan La Laguna

As soon as you get off the lancha you won’t be able to stop yourself from smiling. The main street leading into the town is brightly colored and has such a fun vibe. The town itself has a lot of incredible street art so I highly recommend just walking around with your camera.

I also recommend hiking up to the mirador. Don’t worry, you can easily do this on your own. You’ll pay a small entrance fee (in cash) and then climb up some steps to an epic view point and a painted platform with a wonderful view of the lake

When you come down from the hike, stop at Cafe Las Marias, one of my favorite coffee shops of my trip. It’s tucked away from the main street with beautiful views and wonderful coffee. 

Santa Catarina Palopó

To visit most towns around the lake from Panajachel you have to take the lancha. Santa Catarina Palopó is one of the exceptions. It’s just a short tuk tuk ride away.

I visited this beautiful blue painted town with a tour guide although, I kind of wish I had just explored on my own. It was helpful to have someone give me the history of the town but I didn’t get to walk around and explore the blue colored buildings as much as I would have liked. 

Things to do in Santa Catarina Palopó:

• Walk around: Marvel at the beautiful blue painted buildings and explore a bit of the town on foot
• Visit the Cultural Center: If you want to learn more about the local culture, Kaqchikel traditions, and the history of the town, you can check out the free center. 
• Check out the Aguas Termales Natural: A little walk from the town you’ll find an area of the lake that’s hot water! It’s not deep enough to swim in but it was nice to put my feet in. You could also sit in it if you happen to have your bathing suit on.

Tips for your trip to Panajachel 

When to visit Panajachel 

There are really only two seasons in Guatemala – the rainy season and the dry season. Of course, the best time to visit is going to be during the dry season which runs from November to April.

I went in November which is also considered shoulder season as it’s the start of the dry season and I think it was a wonderful time to visit. 

The days were mostly warm (sometimes even hot) and then I needed a sweater / light jacket for the evenings. By the way, wondering what to pack for Guatemala? Check out my post that includes a full packing list.

Where to stay in Panajachel

I stayed at Jenna’s River B&B which is a little outside of Panajachel so I had to take a tuk tuk to and from the town, which I didn’t mind at all because I loved the serene location of this B&B. The B&B consists of separate yurts which are pretty spectacular with wonderful views of the lake.

Breakfast is included and they also have a restaurant if you prefer to have dinner there. The only thing to note here is that given the yurts and being in the middle of nature, there are sometimes bugs and spiders in the rooms. I didn’t have too much of a problem with the bugs  but just keep that in mind!

If you want to stay in the middle of Panajachel itself, here are some other hotel options.

How to get to Panajachel

The best way to get to Panajachel is by using GuateGo. I used them throughout my trip in Guatemala and they were extremely reliable and affordable. I did a private shuttle from Guatemala city to Antigua and then a shared shuttle to Panajachel. They drop you off right at the docks in Panajachel so you can easily continue on to one of the other villages or head to your hotel if you’re staying in Panajachel. 

How to get around Lake Atitlan

Lanchas

Honestly, the way to get around Lake Atitlan is so much fun and it was one of my favorite things to do. You take these small boats called lanchas. They normally cost between Q10 – Q30 spending on what town you’re going to. Y

ou simply walk up to the dock and say where your destination is and they will point you to the correct boat. The price is fixed and locals do pay less than travelers (as they should) just as an FYI in case you hear a lower price being quoted to a local.

You can either take a public boat or a private boat. The private boats are going to be much more expensive. I’m not sure how much since I didn’t actually take one as I think the public boats are just fine. Before heading somewhere, be sure to check when the last lancha back is so you don’t get stuck anywhere.

Generally speaking in the morning, the water is a lot calmer so your lancha ride will be much smoother. Expect some choppier water in the afternoon. The lanchas are fully open so you’ll have fresh air (maybe even get splashed by the lake a bit) which helps with seasickness. I am very prone to seasickness / motion sickness in general and I didn’t have any issues at all. 

Tuk Tuks

Once you get off the lancha, you can either walk around the town or use a tuk tuk. These are such a great way to get around and are very convenient especially if it’s a hot day and you don’t feel like walking up that steep hill.

Just be sure you have cash for both options! 

Can you swim in Lake Atitlán?

I asked myself this question before my trip. The answer is it depends. Some areas of Lake Atitlán are not safe to swim in. This mostly includes the larger villages where there is pollution and runoff. You also need to be very careful that you don’t swim around piers given the amount of boat traffic. 

Did I swim? In doing my research, I read about algae blooms, garbage, and sewage in the lake. As much as I love being in water, that didn’t really sound appealing to me. I was also traveling alone so I didn’t want to risk any type of rash or illness. 

Of course, this was a personal decision. If you want to swim, it’s up to you. There are plenty of places where people swim. If you’re going to get in the water, be sure it’s around one of the smaller towns and don’t put your head under or swallow any water. 

Quick FAQs about Lake Atitlán

• Can you drink the tap water? No, just like the rest of Guatemala, you can not drink the tap water. Be sure to drink bottled water only.
• Can you swim in the lake? For the most part, the lake isn’t the cleanest to swim in. There are areas to swim near the Natural Reserve and other towns. Just do a bit of research before deciding to swim
• Are credit cards accepted? I definitely found that I needed cash more often than not. You won’t have an issue finding an ATM in Panajachel or San Juan but some of the smaller towns may not have an ATM so keep that in mind if you decide to check out other towns.
• How many towns should I visit? This is completely up to you and the kind of trip you want to have. I think you can comfortably do one town a day but be sure to build in some time to just soak in the lake’s views!
• What town should I stay in? If you’re planning on visiting multiple towns, Panajachel is a great place to stay because all the other towns are easily accessible by lancha (water taxi). It also has plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, etc. If you don’t want to stay in Panajachel, look for the town that matches your vibe and what you want to do as each town is different. 

Bottom Line

There is so much to see and do in Panajachel and the rest of Lake Atitlan. If you’re looking for a good place to base yourself for your trip, Panajachel is the spot for you. I hope this list of things to do in Panajachel was helpful! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments.

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