20 Epic Things to Do in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

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Flanked by towering volcanoes and vibrant lakeside towns bursting with history and culture, Lake Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) is perhaps one of the most beautiful destinations not only in Guatemala — but the world!

Between hiking up ancient volcanoes and strolling around colorful Maya villages, you won’t find yourself running out of things to do in Lake Atitlán anytime soon.

No matter what you’re looking for, Lake Atitlán has both off-the-beaten-path and popular activities. So, whether you’re coming to the lake to do a meditation retreat in San Marcos or to party it up in the backpacker hostels in San Pedro, you’ll find plenty of things to keep you occupied.

After living here for two months, and getting to explore the vast majority of the cute towns around Lake Atitlán, I wanted to compile this ultimate bucket list so you can enjoy your time here to the fullest!

Here’s my ultimate guide to things to do in Lake Atitlan in Guatemala!

Best Things to Do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Best Lake Atitlan Tours & Experiences to Book in Advance

With so many things to do in Lake Atitlan, it can be difficult to know what activities are “musts”! Here’s a brief overview of some of the can’t-miss experiences around the lake so you know what to book in advance.

• Chocolate Tour
• Rostro Maya Hike
• Maya Fire Ceremony
• Local Food Tour
• Weaving Co-op

Keep reading for the full list of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan!

1. Hike Up an Ancient Volcano

Tolimán, San Pedro, and Atitlán are the three volcanoes that dot the skyline and make Lake Atitlán so special.

These volcanoes formed around 80,000 years ago after an even larger volcano exploded and collapsed, forming the massive caldera now known as Lake Atitlán.

And yes, you can actually hike up all three volcanoes—if you are up for the challenge!

Volcán Atitlán is the tallest and most challenging, while the most popular is Volcán San Pedro.

Please note: There have been a few reports of robberies on these hikes. If you do set out to hike up one of the volcanoes around Lake Atitlán, you should go with a proper guide and keep valuables at home.

If you’re not quite ready to take on a volcano hike, the next best thing to do while in Lake Atitlán is to hike up El Rostro Maya mountain summit at sunrise (more on this later).

Other hikes around Lake Atitlán are suitable, safe, and provide beautiful views.

2. Relax in Heated Thermal Baths

Whether your muscles are achy from hiking all day or because you just love a hot bath (like me), lounging in the heated outdoor tubs at Los Termales is one of the best things to do in San Pedro La Laguna (and in Lake Atitlán in general).

Here, you can bathe in large outdoor pools with a view of the lake, all while having a drink with friends. There are five pools in total, so spots can fill up quickly. Don’t forget to make your reservations via WhatsApp at least 30 minutes to 1 hour in advance so the local owners have time to heat and fill your tub!

3. Take a Weaving Workshop

There’s no better place to participate in a traditional Maya weaving workshop than in the towns around Lake Atitlán.

Whether you’re in Santiago Atitlán, San Pedro La Laguna, or Panajachel, there are plenty of artistic hubs where you can find weaving demonstrations, workshops, and museums.

These are some of my favorite weaving initiatives around the lake—all unique in their way!

• San Pedro La Laguna – Teixchel Women’s Weaving Association
• Santiago Atitlán – 13 Batz’ (13 Threads) or the Cojolya Museum
• San Juan La Laguna – Casa Flor Ixcaco 

Depending on where you go, you can make your own scarf using the backstrap loom technique (San Juan) or participate in natural dye workshops that use indigenous plants and ingredients to dye clothing (San Pedro).

4. Climb the Stairs to Mirador Cerro de la Cruz

If you’re looking for the best viewpoint in Lake Atitlán, other than atop a towering volcano, you have to visit the colorful town of San Juan La Laguna. 

You can hike 15-20 minutes up a painted set of stairs to reach Mirador Cerro de la Cruz.

Once at the top, you can marvel at the lakeside towns from a wooden viewing deck with a cross in the middle. 

On the lower deck, there’s a lovely, colorful mural peering up at you, representing San Juan’s artistic style.

The views from up here are simply breathtaking on a clear day! If you want to extend your hike to 2-3 hours, the hike to the Indian Nose summit forks off and continues up the mountain, although I recommend going with a guide!

5. Visit the Painted Village of Santa Catarina Palopó

The small municipality of Santa Catarina Palopó is a lake town that you can’t miss out on. Why? 

Because of its incredible pops of color, all thanks to the initiative Painting Change!

All the houses have been painted in brilliant green, blue, and purple hues, and decorated with traditional Maya motifs, animals, and geometric shapes, as chosen by each family. The result is simply beautiful.

The locals are predominantly of Kaqchikel Maya origin and proudly wear their elaborate traditional clothing (especially the women) that sparkles with embroidery and jewels of rich blues and deep purples.

Beyond the mesmerizing painted houses and quaint plazas and streets, there are also natural hot springs you can dip your toes in.

If you want to stay somewhere special around the lake, there are unique hotels perched on the hillside above town, with incomparable views of Lake Atitlán to boot.

6. Kayak or SUP at Sunrise

You can’t come to Lake Atitlán and not go kayaking or SUP’ing!

The best time to go is in the mornings when the water is calm and not yet choppy from the wind or speeding boats. The jagged volcanoes and the towns dotting the lake combine for picturesque views and an epic experience!

There are several options for kayaking and SUP sessions. For the best views, head to the town of Santa Cruz La Laguna. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards here from the eco-glamping hostel Free Cerveza or from Los Elementos Adventure Center.

If you’re based in San Pedro La Laguna, however, I would highly recommend taking a SUP sunrise session with Lauren from San Pedro Paddle.

7. Take a Spanish Class or Do a Homestay

Lake Atitlán attracts visitors from all over the world who are eager to learn or improve their Spanish. 

Guatemalans’ Spanish is somewhat neutral, easy-flowing, and clear compared to other Latin American countries, making it an extra desirable location to learn.

Not to mention, taking Spanish classes in Guatemala is far cheaper than you’ll find in Europe or North America.

While you can practice your Spanish in virtually all the municipalities dotted around the lake, the town that is best known for that is none other than San Pedro La Laguna.

There are several Spanish schools in San Pedro from which to choose. These are two of the most notable…

• Semilla Spanish School – I had a private tutor, named Billie, who works with this school. She was amazing. If I remember correctly, I paid around Q600 for 5 days of 2-hour lessons (approx. $75 USD). Her mother, who works with San Pedro Spanish School, offers homestays.
• San Pedro Spanish School – Perhaps the most popular choice among tourists, as it has been in business for nearly 25 years.

Every language school varies in program, style, and budget, so you just need to reach out to each one and see which one is best for you.

Some offer 1-on-1 tutors, group classes, short-term lessons, discounted long-term courses, or affordable homestays.Some offer 1-on-1 tutors, group classes, short-term lessons, discounted long-term courses, or affordable homestays.

8. Hike Up to El Rostro Maya Summit

The formerly-known “Indian Nose” mountain summit (more respectfully known as Rostro Maya or El Nariz del Indio) is a popular sunrise hike activity in Lake Atitlán!

Although most travelers opt for the early sunrise hike (aka the short 35-45 minute version), you can also hike Indian Nose from San Juan.

The longer hike, which takes around 2-3 hours and involves steep inclines and trails through coffee and maize fields, is also awesome and worthwhile.

And if you book the tour with a geologist (as we did), you’ll even get a whole geology spiel about how Lake Atitlán and the volcanoes in Guatemala formed!

9. Glamp Lakeside in Santa Cruz with Free Beer

Glamping? Free beer? If that combination sounds perfect, you’ll want to experience the eco-glamping hostel, Free Cerveza, located on the lakeshore beside Santa Cruz La Laguna.

Here, you can stay in a large tent with direct access to the lake with kayaks and SUP boards all while getting the best views of Lake Atitlán. 

Oh, and not to forget, every guest gets free beer with their dinner! Yep, the hostel even boasts a full restaurant and bar with a large outdoor terrace.

If the glamping tent doesn’t interest you, maybe the lakefront glass-windowed cabana would? Imagine falling asleep with a view of the volcanoes and stars (and yes – there are curtains for privacy!)

10. Visit a Mayan Deity in a Local’s Home in Santiago Atitlán

For culture and history buffs, head to the traditional Tz’utujil Maya town of Santiago Atitlán. Here, in this large, bustling town of 70,000, you can witness syncretism — the mixing of two or more religions. In this case, Mayan and Catholic beliefs.

There is a Mayan Deity (god) named Maximón, or El Gran Abuelo, whose figure takes up residency in a local family’s home for one year.

The location of the deity changes each year on May 8th, with a big procession and vote taking place to decide which family will host Maximón for the next year.

During this year, the family must receive guests from the town who come to the home to give blessings to the deity. 

Visiting the local’s home is an honor and an experience you must have while in Santiago Atitlán!

11. Paraglide in Panajachel

Want to experience Lake Atitlán and its three volcanoes from the skies? If so, then head to the office of Realworld Paragliding, located in the busy town of Panajachel, to reserve your trip.

On a clear day, you’ll be able to see not just the volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlán, but even Volcán Pacaya, Volcán Fuego, and Volcán Acatenango which are all closer to the city of Antigua, about 1.5 hours away!

12. Go Horseriding to Coffee Farms

If you prefer to explore with your feet on the ground instead of the sky, then a horseback ride in Lake Atitlán might be a better adventure for you.

Luckily, there are quite a few horseback riding tours you can do that are affordable.

You have several options here as well when it comes to the type of ride and experience you’d like to do:

• Horseback ride to a black sand beach outside of San Pedro
• Combining a horseback ride with a tour of a local coffee farm (Cafe Cristalina)
• Riding the trails between San Pedro and San Juan La Laguna

While we were in San Pedro, we rode horses on a popular hiking trail that led to several viewpoints and a black sand beach (with a bit of walking).

We saw a local girl trotting with her two horses one day and asked for her number. If you’d like her contact, let me know! 

There are several horseback riding tour operators in Lake Atitlan too, including Adrenalina Tours and La Casa Colibri.

13. Go Birdwatching for Quetzals

Image credit: Atitlan Adventure Tours via Viator

Did you know that quetzals are Guatemala’s national bird? They also inspired Guatemala’s currency – the Quetzal (Q)!

These birds are so beautiful and unique, with bold and majestic colors. They live in humid highland climates, so Lake Atitlán is actually a great place for spotting quetzals.

You can go birdwatching in the forest by Santiago Atitlán, on the slopes of Tolimán volcano, with a professional birding guide.

Book your quetzal bird watching tour here!

14. Learn the History of Lake Atitlán at the Tzunun’Ya Museum

Touring the small and colorful Tzunun’Ya Museum is probably one of the first things you should do when arriving at Lake Atitlán. That’s because this museum will walk you through the geology, history, and cultures you’ll encounter around the lake.

In particular, you’ll get to watch a 1942 video reel of San Pedro La Laguna and how it’s changed over time. You’ll also learn about the geology of the lake, including how the volcanoes came to be today and what type of rock is present here. In the last showroom, you’ll get to learn about the Tz’utujil Maya (who make up roughly 95% of the town’s population) and observe a series of photographs and artifacts.

The museum only costs Q35 to tour and takes around 20-30 minutes, so it’s both a quick and budget-friendly thing to do in Lake Atitlán – and one that offers so much value, too! As a bonus, you’ll receive a printed letter indicating your Maya symbol, based on your birth date according to the Maya calendar.

15. Jump Off the Dock in San Marcos

Image credit: FannyZs via Tripadvisor

San Marcos La Laguna is one of the most popular towns around Lake Atitlán for travelers seeking healing and a like-minded community. As you meander the streets in this town, you’ll cross paths with plenty of healers, yogis, hippies, and generally, those who identify with the New Age movement.

In any case, this town is great for swimming in Lake Atitlán, particularly thanks to the natural reserve beside the town, which features a nearly 10 m (30 ft) jump off a wooden platform. Would you jump?

The price to enter the Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve is only Q15 ($2), so this adventurous activity isn’t likely to break the bank!

16. Hike Between Villages via the Lower Mayan Trail

Hiking is one of the best things to do in Lake Atitlán because there are SO many awesome trails here! One of my favorite hikes around Lake Atitlán is actually a 2.5-hour hike that skirts the lake and passes over the hills between the two towns of Santa Cruz and San Marcos.

Not only do you get to have epic views of the lake with the volcanoes in the background, but you also get to traverse several of the cute and sleepy Mayan towns (like Jaibalito or Tzununa) on your way from one point to the other.

Overall, the Lower Mayan Trail is awesome and fairly easy for beginners or advanced hikers. It begins just left of the dock in Santa Cruz, right past the hotel and restaurant Arca de Noé.

The hike lasts for 2-3 hours all the way to San Marcos. You can take a break once in Tzununa and hire a tuk-tuk for the ride back to San Marcos. Once there, a good way to cool off would be to jump in the lake from the wooden dock I just talked about above!

17. Swim at a Black Sand Beach

For even more water adventures and fun day trips, head to the black sand beach that’s located outside of San Pedro La Laguna. This is an extremely popular spot among locals, so please visit with care!

To reach the black sand beach in Lake Atitlán, take the Finca road outside of San Pedro. Past the basketball court, a dirt trail begins and continues around the slope of the San Pedro volcano. 

About 25 minutes in, take the left trail at the fork that leads down to the shore. From here, it’s about another 20-minute hike to reach the beach. You’ll pass an abandoned coffee farm, and then just after a local’s home to get there (don’t worry – they’re used to it).

Here’s the location on Google Maps!

The water is great for swimming here, and, as a bonus, you have unhampered views of Cerro del Oro, Tolimán, and the Atitlán volcanoes!

18. Experience a Mayan Fire Ceremony at the Sacred Caves

Participating in a traditional Mayan fire ceremony inside the Sacred Caves is one of the tours you can take while visiting Lake Atitlán. Although I haven’t experienced this one myself, I’ve only heard good things about it!

A little info about the tour: The local Mayans have used these caves for centuries. During the tour, you’ll hike to the Sacred Caves before partaking in a two-hour fire cleansing ceremony performed by a local shaman. Your guide will explain the history and significance of the ritual.

This will be a memorable activity for those interested in learning more about Mayan spirituality while in Lake Atitlán. Los Elementos Adventure Center operates the tour, which you can book online here.

19. Shop for Art & Textiles

As many others will attest, you simply can’t come to Lake Atitlán without doing a bit of shopping! Guatemalan and Mayan textiles and art are on FULL display around the lake. There are large markets bursting with color in just about every municipality.

The best place to shop for such items is probably down Calle Santander in Panajachel. But don’t overlook what the other towns have to offer!

It may seem like all the markets are one and the same, but each town actually specializes in its own type of art and textile work, with differences in technique, patterns, colors, etc.

My favorite towns for shopping:

• San Juan La Laguna – oil and acrylic paintings, naturally dyed textiles, and handmade clothing
• Panajachel – everything and anything at a good price
• San Pedro La Laguna – traditional and modern clothing, souvenirs, handmade shoes and jewelry
• Santa Catarina Palopó – weaved blouses, huipiles, traditional clothing handmade with the backstrap-loom
• San Antonio Palopó – handmade ceramics and pottery
• Santiago Atitlán – handmade and manufactured souvenirs, bags, clothing, table runners, blankets, etc.

20. Explore Other Towns Around the Lake via Boat

Once you’ve checked off all the other activities mentioned above, the last thing to do in Lake Atitlán would be to finish visiting all the towns you haven’t yet explored.

While San Pedro, San Marcos, and Panajachel are the top three towns to visit around the lake, there are a handful of underrated and smaller pueblos to discover!

Jaibalito, Santa Catarina Palopó, San Antonio Palopó, Tzununa, Santiago Atitlán, Santa Clara, San Pablo, and San Juan La Laguna — all of these smaller, endearing towns have something to offer.

What is there to do at night in Lake Atitlan? 

A lot of Lake Atitlan’s towns are sleepy villages without much to do at night. If you’re looking for nightlife, Panajachel and San Pedro La Laguna are your best bets. 

While there aren’t many night-time-specific activities in Lake Atitlan, grabbing drinks with friends or heading out for dinner makes for a wonderful evening.

FAQ’s About Lake Atitlan

Is Lake Atitlan worth visiting? 

Absolutely! Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in the world. Where else can you swim in a caldera surrounded by volcanoes, be immersed in Mayan culture, and fill your days with memorable activities like sunrise hikes, go birdwatching, try your hand at weaving, and soak in thermal baths?

How many days do you need in Lake Atitlan?

Three days is the perfect amount of time in Lake Atitlan. You’ll have just enough time to explore a few villages, go on a hike or two, and sneak in some quintessential Lake Atitlan relaxation.

If you can swing it, five days is even better because you’ll be able to see more villages and really get a sense of Lake Atitlan’s unique culture.

What is the best month to visit Lake Atitlan?

November is one of the best months to visit Lake Atitlan. The rainy season has just ended, but the holiday crowds (and prices) haven’t quite descended. February is another good time to go for the same reasons!

Can you walk around Lake Atitlan?

While you can technically walk between villages in Lake Atitlan, it’s not recommended due to crime. Many of the roads are remote, and there have been reports of robberies in the past.

The best (and most scenic) way to get around Lake Atitlan is by boat. Also called lanchas, these boats depart about every 5-15 minutes and connect the towns around the lake. You can also travel between some of the villages by tuk-tuk.

How do you get around Lake Atitlan at night?

Depending on which town you’re staying in around Lake Atitlan, you can easily get around on foot. That being said, and as with any place in the world, walking alone at night brings its own set of risks. 

It’s best to take a tuk-tuk after dark if you’re alone. Otherwise, on foot is fine! 

I hope this ultimate list of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan helps you choose which experiences you want to have on your trip to Guatemala.

I know that your Lake Atitlan itinerary will be packed and full of adventure with this ultimate bucket list!

If you have any questions about living and traveling in Lake Atitlán or in Guatemala in general, feel free to reach out. Drop me a comment below or send me a DM on my Instagram.

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