A beautiful lake:

Relaxing on the shores of a beautiful lake and delving into the daily life of craftspeople – whilst you enjoy a contemporary bohemian atmosphere – is what you’ll inevitably do in Panajachel. In this bustling little lakeside town, you’ll find lots of places to buy beautiful handicrafts, plenty of restaurants and hotels for every budget.

There is a town for everyone around Lake Atitlán. At about four kilometers from Panajachel, you’ll find Santa Catarina Palopó, known for its artisans and the colorful pottery they create.

Then there is Santiago Atitlán, where men work as fisherman and farmers and women weave and wear beautifully-embroidered huipiles. The town is also famous for its shrine to the Mayan saint Maximón, which is well worth visiting.

Perched on the north shore of the lake, Santa Cruz, Jaibalito and Tzunumá are three small villages clustered fairly close together. There, you’ll find a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and hotels and restaurants with amazing views of the south side of the lake and the volcanoes.

Photo by Javier Ordoñez

San Marcos La Laguna is nestled next to the water’s edge under the shade of trees. This little town is known for its spiritual retreats and enlightening vibe. It also had a variety of restaurants and hotels, and a famous cliff dive. San Pedro la Laguna is well known for its chilled atmosphere and nightlife; it’s a great place to hang out, listen to music, and meet other travelers, and there are plenty of great places to stay and eat.

If you’re planning on visiting Lake Atitlán and want to use the boat services to go to the towns around the lake, keep in mind that each of the towns has a different timetable for public boats departing the town, so make sure you ask the captain beforehand about specific schedules. Private boats are also available although their services are more expensive.