20 Fantastic Things To Do at Lake Atitlán

Lake Atitlán is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Flanked by three volcanoes and with shores bordered by charming Mayan villages, Lake Atitlán is deserving of a place in your Guatemala itinerary. It is the perfect place to explore and experience aspects of Guatemalan culture or to relax and do absolutely nothing at all! In this post, I share 20 fantastic things to do at Lake Atitlan.

Disclosure: Booking your tour/accommodations via the links in this guide will earn me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Earnings will go back to the maintenance of the travel guides provided on The Thrill of Pursuit. Thanks for your support.

<3 Dominique

To help with our discussion, I am providing a map of Lake Atitlán with 10 of its villages:

As previously mentioned in my Lake Atitlán posts, Lake Atitlán isn’t a single stop on a map. Rather it is a massive lake with multiple, vibrant communities on its shores. Each community has its own unique personality and vibe. I have organized this post by things to do near each village.

Things To Do at Lake Atitlan near Panajachel

1) Hike to the Mayan Nose

This was one of my favourite activities on Lake Atitlán! This entails a 45 minute uphill hike. At its peak, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the lake. There, you will see the three volcanoes flanking the lake: Atitlán, Toliman, and San Pedro. On clear days, you may also see Acatenango, Agua, and Fuego volcanoes when looking towards Antigua. From the peak of the Mayan Nose, you will also get birds-eye views of San Juan, San Pablo, San Marcos, Panajachel, and Santa Clara.

Sunrise hikes to Mayan Nose are popular. If you go this route, expect to wake up at around 3am. Hiking after sunrise will provide for lesser crowds though it may get hot under the midday sun.

2) Enjoy Reserva Natural Atitlán

On the northern outskirts of Panajachel, you will find Reserva Natural Atitlán – a natural reserve. Natural vegetation is slowly reclaiming the reserve, a former coffee plantation.

The main trail can be hiked within an hour. If you’re lucky you may encounter coatis, birds, butterflies, and spider monkeys. The main trail leads to a suspension bridge which goes over a waterfall. Here, you can swim. If you’re looking for a quiet break from the hustle and bustle of Panajachel, why not spend an afternoon at Reserva Natural Atitlán.

Admission into the Reserve costs 80 Q/ 11 USD per person. There are ziplines on site available for 40 USD per person.

3) Explore the Upper Mayan Trail

If you want to be immersed in nature, undertake a challenging hike, and learn about the history and culture of the Mayan villages of Lake Atitlán, consider booking the Lake Atitlán: Upper Mayan Trail tour.

The hike is pretty strenuous as it climbs a mountain along a path that the Mayans have used for centuries. There will be opportunities to interact with the local Cakchiquel and and Tzutujil communities as your guide takes you through small villages on the shores of Lake Atitlán. The tour also stops by the Sacred Caves where a shaman can be observed performing a Mayan ritual ceremony.

4) Attend a fire-cleansing ceremony at the Sacred Caves

There are a set of caves near Santa Cruz that are considered sacred by the Mayas. Many Mayans come there daily from near and far to hold sacred ceremonies.

The Lake Atitlán: Mayan Ceremony at the Sacred Caves tour takes people to the caves to either participate or respectfully observe a fire-cleansing ceremony (dependent on shaman availability). During the ceremony, a shaman fosters healing, protection, love or whatever else is lacking in your life. People make offerings to the ancestors, to Lake Atitlán, and to the land.

This tour (and yes, joining a tour is mandatory for this experience) gives the opportunity to learn about Mayan spirituality and culture and your Mayan astrological sign. Remember to come prepared with an intention for ceremony to get the most out of it. The meeting point is in Panajachel.

Things To Do at Lake Atitlan near Santa Cruz

5) Go kayaking

If you want to go kayaking on Lake Atitlán, Santa Cruz would be the best place to rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Check out this high-rated tour that covers kayak rental and a guide. The guide will lead you through the rugged shores of Lake Atitlán along steep cliffs and small bays to get spectacular views of the three volcanoes.

6) Hike the Lower Mayan Trail

For a relatively easier hike that also offers nature bathing and learning about the local Mayan communities, check out this hiking tour of the Lower Mayan Trail. Keyword is RELATIVELY. The terrain around Lake Atitlán are mountainous. You will experience elevation and steep inclines at certain parts of the hike but is for the most part doable. The hike offers amazing lake views for a majority of the trail.

The Lower Mayan Trail runs through Tzununa, Jaibalito, and Santa Cruz. You don’t necessarily need a tour for this trail but it’s beneficial to have a local to guide you and provide context, IMO.

7) Try a temazcal sauna

A temazcal is a type of sweat lodge that is steeped in centuries of Mayan tradition. In ancient times, temazcals served to purify the body after battle, ceremonial ball games, healing the sick, improving health and for giving birth during special ceremonies.

Today, temazcals are used for spiritual cleanses and for physical rejuvenation. Does a temazcal experience at Lake Atitlán sound interesting to you? Check out this temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience. It pairs the temazcal experience with dinner at a local home in Santa Cruz.

8) Take a cooking class

As I mentioned in my post about the Amalfi Coast, food is my favourite way to experience the heart and soul of a place. What could be more immersive than learning how to make dishes that are native to a region from a local?

Guatemalan cuisine is a unique fusion of Mayan culture and Spanish colonial influence. I found these two high rated cooking classes both located in Santa Cruz. Check this cooking class where all proceeds go to a local nonprofit called Amigos de Santa Cruz. This class will teach you how to prepare up to three traditional Guatemalan dishes and explanations on the ingredients used in each. There’s also this cooking class that is taught in the home of a local chef. Here you can learn how to cook and enjoy traditional Guatemalan dishes with breathtaking views of Lake Atitlán.

9) Climb to the mountains above Lake Atitlán

If you want to view Lake Atitlán in all its splendour, check out this hike which would take you to the top of Santa Cruz and all the way through to Solola.

The hike takes about six hours and will bring you 762 m/2,500 ft above the lake. From there you will get magnificent views of Lake Atitlán and the surrounding mountains. During the hike, you will glimpse the daily rural life around the lake that foreigners seldom see. The hike is challenging but not overtly difficult. With patience, you will be awarded with magnificent views of the lake.

The tour ends at Solola, a city that is actually not on Lake Atitlán. It is known for having the second largest market in Guatemala.

Things To Do at Lake Atitlan near San Marcos

10) Cliff jump at Reserva Natural del Cerro Tzankujil

Reserva Natural del Cerro Tzankujil is located just west of San Marcos. It is a nature reserve with maintained pathways to swimming areas. To be honest, this is probably the only part of the lake where I would feel comfortable swimming. If you have ever seen videos of people cliff jumping into Lake Atitlán, this is where it was filmed. The cliff jump is about 12 m high.

You don’t need a tour to get into the park. Kayaks are available for rent in the morning and stand up paddle boards are available in the afternoon. At the time of writing, entrance fees cost 20 Q for foreigners which goes into the maintenance of the park. Budget about 30 Q for round trip lancha fare if you are coming from somewhere outside of San Marcos.

But if you want to avoid the hassle, check out this tour that offers hotel pickup,/dropoff a guided hike through 3 Lake Atitlán villages, lunch, and a final stop at Reserva Natural del Cerro Tzankujil.

11) Take a yoga class at a wellness retreat

San Marcos has the reputation of the “hippy town” where many foreigners have established businesses touting new age or wellness retreats. If you were looking to join a yoga or wellness retreat, then this is probably the town where you want to start. There are a handful of choices here but my recommendation would be to check out Kawoq Forest.

I personally do not love that San Marcos’ reputation as a wellness destination has largely pushed out the Mayan communities. There is much discourse on the “ick” that many visitors to San Marcos get from this gentrification. However, I do like that Kawoq Forest has Mayan women on its management team. (I don’t know of any yoga studios that are Guatemalan-owned. But if you know a place that you recommend, please send me a message. I would love to feature them here).

Besides offering daily yoga classes, Kawoq Forest offers other wellness services (like sacred and transformative ceremonies, temazcal sauna sessions, spa services, Mayan spiritual workshops) and accommodations.

Things To Do at Lake Atitlan near San Juan

12) Shop at an artisanal co-op

In recent years, San Juan has really leaned into its rich cultural heritage to attract visitors. This has resulted in a boom of many types of cooperatives in the town where people demonstrate their craft and invite you to shop for their artisanal goods. Below are some of the co-ops that not only offer the best and unique souvenirs but also directly benefits the local community.

Below is a map to help you navigate to the cooperatives mentioned in this section:

Weaving cooperatives

As you travel around Guatemala, you will no doubt notice the intricate textiles used in the traditional clothing frequently worn by people of Indigenous decent. They are colourful and have intricate embroidery. In San Juan, you will find several weaving cooperatives that demonstrate the craft of backstrap weaving to create these beautiful textiles. The demonstrations also explain the tradition behind the designs and the process used to dye the fabrics. Tz’utujil women predominantly manage several of these weaving cooperatives, which provide them a means to financial independence. While in San Juan, I visited Casa del Tejido and bought some (much needed) worry dolls.

Cacao making workshops

Cacao is so important to the Mayan culture that you will find cacao making workshops around Guatemala. There are several places in San Juan that offer these workshops. I opted to go to Artesanal Chocolate Diego over the larger Licor Marron Chocolate Factory for this experience.

Beekeeper cooperative

Mundo de Abejas Mayas, a small self-sustaining organization, dedicates itself to conserving Lake Atitlán’s native bees. You can visit their shop in San Juan where you can learn about indigenous bee species to the area and their importance to the ecosystem. You will also learn about the sustainability goals for Mundo de Abejas Mayas.

Of all the coops in San Juan, this was surprisingly my favourite! I learned so much about the different species of bees that are indigenous to Lake Atitlán and got to sample all the different products that each species make. (There was a species that produced a honey that had a peppery note and was good for stomach aches. I absolutely wanted some to take home even though I only had space for a 100 mL bottle.) Besides edible products, Mundo de Abejas Mayas also produces skincare products made of honey.

Midwives cooperative

Midwives in Lake Atitlán play an integral part to community health. They have organized to be able to offer affordable, accessible, and safe spaces to give birth for Indigenous women in the region. Indigenous Guatemalan women are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their non-Indigenous counterparts. These midwives often operate through traditional practices and in partenership with local organizations.

Q’omaneel Herbal Medicine is run by local Maya midwives. You can visit their garden to see the different medicinal herbs they cultivate for their clients. At Q’omaneel, you can shop for herbal teas or pomades to address common ailments like digestion, headaches, mosquito bites, throat pain, among others.

13) Enjoy the view from Mirador Kaqasiiwan

There is a popular lookout point at San Juan known as Mirador San Juan La Laguna or Mirador Kaqasiiwan. To get there, you follow a steep trail from town for about 15 minutes. This trail will lead you to a colourful boardwalk.You don’t necessarily need a guide to get to Kaqasiiwan. However, there is a 30Q entrance fee for the trailhead.

Things To Do at Lake Atitlan near San Pedro

14) Summit a volcano

If you have been following my blog for awhile, you know that I LOVE a good volcano hike. While in San Pedro, why not summit Volcán San Pedro?

The hike up Volcán San Pedro is about 8 km/5 mi, round trip. The elevation change is about 1,200m/4,000 ft and will take the average hiker between 3-5 hours to summit. At the top, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Atitlán.

The Guatemalan government manages Volcán San Pedro as a protected wilderness area. To enter the trailhead, there is an admission fee of 100Q per person. This admission fee includes a guide so hiring one independently would be redundant.

To get to the trailhead, you will need take a lancha to San Pedro which should cost about 25Q depending on your negotiation skills. From the main town of San Pedro, you can take a tuk-tuk to the visitors centre of Volcán San Pedro park which should cost about 15Q.

Things To Do at Lake Atitlan near Santiago Atitlán

15) Go to the market

The largest market at Lake Atitlán can be found at the main plaza of Santiago Atitlán. You can shop there for food, drinks, textiles, and other artisanal goods. Santiago is known for its artisans who weave intricate textiles. You can find them in the market.

Every Friday, the Santiago market which is usually contained within Mercado Municipal, sprawls out to Parque Central and its bordering streets. You don’t necessarily need to shop. The explosion of colours and the bustle of the market is a sight to behold. Sundays and Tuesdays in the area also tend to have a blip in activity.

16) Pay your respects to the effigy of Maximón

Santiago Atitlán is known for its devotion to Maximón. It is one of the only places that worships this folk figure as a living religion and is home to a famous effigy of Maximón.

The worship of Maximón started during the Spanish conquest of the Mayas. The conquistadors injected their religious beliefs into the existing religious traditions of the Mayas in attempts to convert the population over to Catholicism. As a result, you have Maximón – a hybrid of a Maya deity and a saint.

But Maximón is not a Catholic saint. He smokes, drinks, and is a womaniser. His origin story and description varies per region and blends several historical, biblical, and Maya mythological figures. As a known trickster, Maximón hears the prayers of not just the “good” but also of those with shady intentions.

The effigy of Maximón moves to a different Santiago Atitlán household annually. To find Maximón, you can pay a local guide or taxi driver to lead you to him for a small finder’s fee (30Q would be reasonable, make sure to negotiate). The household that is hosting Maximón collects a 5Q entrance fee from those making their pilgrimage. If you want to take pictures, that would be an additional 5Q.

Since the devotion to Maximón is a living religion in Santiago, below are some etiquette tips:

• dress modestly when visiting, he is a deity after all
• move quietly out of respect for other worshippers
• ask for permission before taking photos/videos
• ensure to leave an offering. Maximón is considered vengeful and if offended, he may subject you to bad luck. There is usually a place near the altar where you can purchase small bottles of liquor or cigarettes to leave as offerings.

17) Visit the Santiago Museum and Parque La Paz

The Guatemalan Civil War happened between 1960 and 1996. Many Guatemalans living today still remember the pain and scars from this era. Santiago Atitlán was the site of considerable state-sponsored violence during this time.

Seen as a guerilla stronghold, the Guatemalan army established a base on the outskirts of town. After years of being terrorised by the Guatemalan army, the community decided to stage a peaceful protest on the base demanding justice for the crimes committed by the army on December 2, 1990. The army open fired on the crowd of unarmed citizens killing 14 and injuring 21 more. Among the casualties are men, women, and children.

This massacre lead to international outcry. Subsequently, the US cut the army’s funding, and authorities have not permitted the army to return to Santiago Atitlán since. The federal militia has no jurisdiction over the town.

To learn about Santiago Atitlán’s history and culture and its role in the Guatemalan Civil War, visit the Santiago Museum. The site of the massacre/former military base has been converted into Parque de la Paz (Peace Park in English). It is a memorial park for the victims of the massacre. You can go to the park to learn about each person as a tombstone was erected for each of them.

18) Birdwatching

Santiago Atitlán is one of Guatemala’s best birding locations! Rey Tepepul Municipal Nature Reserve is located near Santiago Atitlán and is home to the resplendent quetzal! The ancient Maya and Aztecs have always revered the quetzal. They considered its beautiful feathers luxury goods that represented high social status. The resplendent quetzal is actually the national bird of modern Guatemala. They even named the currency after the quetzal.

To see these splendid creatures in their natural habitat, book this tour!

Things To Do at Lake Atitlan near San Antonio Palopó

19) Go to a ceramics workshop

San Antonio Palopó is known for its artisanal pottery and ceramics. If you are visiting this small but scenic village, make sure to stop by one of the ceramic workshops. There, you can watch artisans transform local clay into the art and come home with a unique piece that reflects years of tradition.

Things To Do at Lake Atitlan near Santa Catarina Palopó

20) Admire the blue buildings

Santa Catarina Palopó is often named as one of the prettiest villages of Lake Atitlán. This is how I decided on where to set up my home base during my visit. The location and altitude of the town offers visitors some of the best views of the lake. Santa Catarina is also known for its beautifully painted blue buildings.

These intricately painted buildings are thanks to a community-led project called Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó. The objective of the project was to beautify the buildings of the town to match its surroundings in order to attract visitors. As of 2025, 850 buildings, staircases, and public places have been painted as part of the project. Properties that opt into the project are co-designed with local artists. The artists pick from huipil-inspired blue palettes and the design incorporates Kaqchikel Maya symbolism. The buildings are then painted with eco-friendly paint.

Besides the blue buildings, visitors of Santa Catarina can roam onto the malecón (boardwalk) and two viewpoints, Mirador Santa Catarina and Mirador Mario Mendez Montenegro.

Bonus Ideas

If you haven’t noticed a theme in this blog, I love to make lists in arithmetic sequence of 5 (hence, 20 Fantastic Things To Do at Lake Atitlán.) But I had a really hard time cutting this list to 20 but couldn’t quite think of 25 things to do. So I made this bonus section for activities that can’t be pinpointed to one Lake Atitlán village.

21) Get a day pass to a world class hotel

If you’re apprehensive about swimming in Lake Atitlán, consider getting a day pass at one of the world class hotels on the lake. A day pass will typically provide you access to the hotel pool and food and drink services.

During my visit, I splurged on my accommodations because I wanted a room with a view of the lake and three volcanoes. I was not blessed with the best weather during my stay there. It was rainy and overcast. In addition, I was only ever at the hotel for dinner and to sleep. Admittedly, I didn’t get my money’s worth. To avoid making the same mistake, I recommend saving your money on accommodations and getting a day pass to one of the fancier hotels instead.

Below are some resorts that offer day passes and fantastic views of the lake:

• La Casa del Mundo (Jaibalito)
• Tzampoc Resort (Santa Catarina Palopó)
• Sababa Resort (San Pedro La Laguna)
• Hotel San Buenaventura de Atitlán (Panajachel)

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What were your favourite activities at Lake Atitlán ? Did you have any questions? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!