A Complete Guide to Best Things to Do in Panajachel, Guatemala

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With its stunning views of Lake Atitlan, traditional Mayan markets and wealth of restaurants, there are so many things to do in Panajachel, Guatemala you’ll be tempted to stay for a lifetime.

Over the past 25 years, I’ve often chosen Panajachel as a base for exploring Guatemala. With an estimated population of 15,000, it’s small enough to be able to walk everywhere, has reliable WiFi, banks with ATMs and a reputation for safety.

It also offers easy access for excursions to Mayan villages in the highlands, volcanoes for climbing, hiking trails and many other major attractions of Lake Atitlan.

Here’s my guide to the best hotels, day trips, Spanish language schools, food to eat and main things to do in Panajachel, Guatemala. 

How to Pronounce Panajachel 

First, it’s important to be able to pronounce the name of this town! The pronunciation is “Pan – a – ha – CHEL”  with the emphasis on the last syllable.  

Among locals, it’s often abbreviated and just called “Pana” Guatemala for short. 

1. Lake Atitlan is Famous for its Beauty

One of the things Panajachel best known for is its serene beauty. It’s famous for its prime location on the shores of teardrop-shaped Lake Atitlan set among a necklace of volcanoes in the Sierra Madre Sur mountains of Guatemala, Central America.

In his 1934 book, Beyond the Mexique Bay, Aldous Huxley compared Lake Atitlan to Italy’s Lake Como. And German explorer Alexander von Humboldt called it “the most beautiful lake in the world.”

2. Panajachel was a Famous Hippie Haven in the 1970s

Then, in the 1960s and 1970s, Panajachel gained notoriety as a stop on an international hippie trail that also included Morocco, India and Nepal.

It was a hang-out for young people, counter-culture and anti-establishment groups rejecting mainstream culture.

Pot smoking, full moon parties, crystals, meditation centres and vortex energy fields drew people looking for an alternative way of life.

Today, most of the hippies have moved on to San Marcos or San Pedro where yoga, youth hostels and meditation workshops are still thriving.

3. It’s the Heart of the Mayan World

Over the years, Panajachel has grown in size from a village to a small city.

Situated in the department of Sololá, it’s a very convenient hub for taking tours of the Mayan villages around Lake Atitlan and the highlands of Guatemala.

For travellers it offers easy access for day trips to Maya towns as well as food markets, supermarkets, Spanish language schools, yoga classes and a range of dining options from vegetarian restaurants to typical Guatemalan food stands and coffee shops.

The Maya make up  51 per cent of the national population in Guatemala. In Panajachel as well as nearby Solola, you’ll be in the heart of the Maya world so you expect to see locals dressed in traditional clothing.

Their clothing is woven on backstrap looms and is created in a rainbow of beautiful colours and patterns unique to each village.

Special ceremonial dress is worn for the many occasions, events and holidays in Guatemala,   when it’s possible to see traditional dances performed and enjoy traditional Maya dishes such as jocón, pepian de pollo and pulique 

 

4. Panajachel is a Hub for Digital Nomads in Central America 

If you’re planning on living in Guatemala but you’re a digital nomad and need to work as I do, Panajachel also offers reliable WiFi, several banks with ATMs and easy transportation in and out. 

By staying in Panajachel rather than San Pedro la Laguna or other villages on Lake Atitlan, you also avoid having to take a boat across Lake Atitlan every time you want to go exploring. 

Being so close to amenities with opportunities for activities can help expats deal with feelings of homesickness if they’re away from home for a long period of time.   

5. Panajachel Weather Really is the Land of Eternal Spring

One of the main attractions in Panajachel is its weather. The altitude of Panajachel is 1,562 metres above sea level which means it enjoys spring-like weather year-round.  The rainy season is from May to October.

Unlike the sweltering lowlands of Zacapa (where my husband is from) or the humid rainforest of the Peten region (where I got dengue), the towns around Lake Atitlan, including Panajachel, have a comfortable and temperate climate.

While the entire country of Guatemala is known as the land of eternal spring, the towns around Lake Atitlan really do have the most pleasant climate. 

6. Safety in Panajachel

Panajachel is also one of the safest places to visit in Guatemala. I’ve lived in Panajachel for several months at a time and never had problems with pickpockets or felt unsafe even when venturing out solo.

But it’s worth reading these safety tips for travel in Guatemala and Central America before you go.

Another reason to visit Panajachel is that, according to reports in Guatemala’s national newspaper Prensa Libre,  there have been no cases of zika, the virus transmitted by the bite of the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus mosquito, the same type that also carries dengue and chikungunya.

With climate change, the range of the Aedes mosquito is expanding, so it’s  worth following precautions to avoid getting bitten by mosquitos.

Read this post for our  12 Tips to Avoid Getting Bitten by Mosquitos. 

The Best Panajachel Hotels and Apartments

Be sure to book your accommodation before you arrive in Panajachel. The most popular hotels and apartments fill early.

Budget Hotel in Panajachel

My favourite place for a one month stay is Casa Alegre at 4-70 on Calle Santander. This handy apartment hotel with just six suites is in the heart of Panajachel. But thanks to the excellent quality of its construction, it’s blissfully quiet.

You have your own balcony, a full kitchen, a lovely rooftop zone and a lending library. It’s spotlessly clean, safe and quite economical. Room rates are $61 USD a night while the weekly rate is $300 USD (subject to change).

Contact Alegre Apartments in Panajachel

Also on Calle Santander but set within a leafy garden, Posada de los Volcanes is walking distance to everywhere in Pana. It also offers tour services including shuttles to Antigua and Guatemala City Airport.  

Check rates and availability at Posada de los Volcanes on Booking.com. 

Hospedaje de Viajero is another popular budget hotel located on Calle Santander in Panajachel. It’s close to the lake as well as  several good restaurants and also features a rooftop terrace. 

Check rates and availability at Hospedaje de Viajero  on Booking.com.

Another appealing budget option is Selina Atitlan, an upscale hostel for digital nomads, backpackers and budget travellers. Their property features a shared kitchen, bar restaurant, pool and tour desk. There’s also a wide selection of nicely decorated rooms from community dorms to private rooms for two people. 

Check rates and availability at Selina Atitlan in Panajachel. 

Mid-range Hotel in Panajachel

Although service can be a bit lacklustre, the hotel Porta del Lago is a good option thanks to its  spectacular views, an outdoor swimming pool and restaurant.

This Panajachel is perfect for families.  The location is also very convenient. The room rates are generally around $100 USD a night or less.

Check rates and availability for Porta Hotel del Lago in Panajachel on Booking.com. 

Luxury Hotel in Panajachel

Both Hotel Atitlan and Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo are a step up in terms of the quality of the accommodation and views.

They offer expansive gardens, comfortable rooms and a prime location overlooking Lake Atitlan with spectacular views.

The Regis Hotel and Spa is another popular luxury hotel in Panajachel. This historic property even has its own thermal pools where you can soak away any travel ache and pains. It’s also in the heart of Panajechel’s restaurant row. 

Check rates and availability for Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo in Panajachel on Booking.com.  

Check rates and availability for Regis Hotel Spa on Booking.com. 

Ultra Luxury Hotel in Panajachel

If you’re looking for a romantic stay for a unique destination wedding or honeymoon, a top choice for a boutique hotel on Lake Atitlan would be Casa Palopó.

This luxury boutique hotel is a short distance outside Panajachel enroute to Santa Catarina Palopo and is set overlooking Lake Atitlán with spectacular views of three volcanoes.

A member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection, Casa Palopó is  one of the best luxury hotels in Guatemala when it comes to views, service and character.

Check rates and availability for Hotel Casa Polopo in Santa Catarina Polopo, outside Panajachel. 

For more suggestions of memorable spots for a wedding or honeymoon, check out this post on 17 Unique Wedding Destinations. 

Can You Swim in Lake Atitlán?

If you look at a map of Guatemala and see the large body of water that’s Lake Atitlán, you might be tempted to think it’s a top spot to go swimming or bask on a beach.

Unfortunately, there are few beaches and the lake contains cyanobacteria, a toxic strain of aquatic bacteria that can affect the liver, kidneys, central nervous system and skin of both humans and animals.

Fortunately authorities are taking steps to control blooms of the blue-green algae, rising water levels and reduce contamination by untreated sewage and agricultural fertilizers used in the farms surrounding Lake Atitlán. 

But reports by monitoring agencies such as the  Authority for the Sustainable Management of the Lake Basin of Atitlán and its Surroundings (AMSCLAE) indicate that Lake Atitlán still has problems with pollution.

Gastroenteritis is the most common illness associated with swimming in waters polluted by untreated sewage. Eye, ear and throat infections are also a possibility.

Although children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are those most likely to be affected, anyone is at risk.

So, although many people do swim in Lake Atitlan, I don’t recommend swimming in Lake Atitlán.

Top Things to Do Around Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

1. Study Spanish or take a cooking class at one of the Spanish Language Schools.

2. Volunteer with an NGO

Thinking about volunteering in Guatemala? Here are some ways to help:

• Gift a Christmas basket of tamales  via the Mayan Families website;
• Support the incredible work of Mayan Families with a tax-deductible donation. You can even make a tax-deductible donation in Canada;
• Send supplies such as medicine, shoes, computers and toys. Download the list of what’s needed;
• Get involved in a community project such as assisting marginalized groups, teaching English or saving sea turtles through conservation by volunteering in Guatemala.

3. Enjoy a Resort Day Pass in Panajachel

If you’d like to go swimming in Panajachel and aren’t keen on swimming in Lake Atitlan, it’s possible to get a resort day pass to a luxury hotel with a swimming pool at a reasonable rate.

Enjoy pool loungers, a buffet lunch and relax poolside views of Lake Atitlan. Get details in how to get a Hotel Day Pass in Panajachel.

4. Explore the Villages around Lake Atitlan

There are two piers in Panajachel offering service by lanchas (small boats) to the various villages surrounding the lake. You can also take organized tours of Lake Atitlan visiting San Pedro La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan and San Antonio Palopo.

The pier at the end of Calle Rancho Grande is for boats leaving for Santa Catarina, San Antonio, San Lucas, Santiago Atitlan distances range from and tours of the lake. The pier at the end of Calle de Embarcadero is for departures to Santa Cruz, Jaibalio, Tzunana and San Marcos.

It’s possible to travel by guided ATV Tour  to Santa Catarina and San Jorge.

5. Learn about the Mayan Genocide in Santiago Atitlan

One of the best things to do in Panajachel is to educate yourself about the injustices and persecution of the Maya people. A good place to begin is in the town of Santiago Atitlán on the shores of Lake Atitlan.

Home to the Tz’utujil Maya people and surrounded by the volcanoes San Pedro, San Lucas Toliman and Atitlan, it’s one of 12 pueblos named for the apostles.

The town of Santiago Atitlan is especially notable as it was the site of one of the most important events of the civil war in Guatemala in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Although much of the conflict was centered within the Ixil triangle near Nebaj, Santiago Atitlan is also an important site.

On July 28, 1981, Stanley Francis Rother, a priest from Oklahoma, was murdered in Santiago Atitlan, one of many killed as part of the armed conflict between military forces and the Maya people.

On Dec. 2, 2016, Pope Francis officially recognized Father Rother as a martyr for the Catholic faith. Blessed Father Rother is the first U.S. born martyr of the Catholic faith. His feast day — July 28 — is the same day as his martyrdom.

Another significant event occurred on December 1990, when the Guatemalan army fired automatic weapons on an unarmed crowd of Tzutujil Mayas on the shores of Lake Atitlan, killing 14 people. The massacre prompted international outrage and criticism of the army.

Today, there are several important plaques and peace memorials to Blessed Stanley Rother and the massacre in Santiago Atitlan.

 

6. Sample Regional Cuisine

The outdoor street market in Santiago Atitlán is also top spot to scout out traditional Guatemalan foods such as avocados, watermelon and patin,  a tiny sardine-like fish in a tomato chile salsa that comes wrapped in maxán leaf.

Other traditional Guatemalan dishes to try include pulique, a stewed chicken dish popular for special occasions, as well as jocon de pollo, a stewed chicken in salsa verde.

Don’t miss pepian de pollo, another stewed chicken dish often considered the national dish of Guatemala.

They all hail from the regions in the highlands of Guatemala so are worth seeking out while in Lake Atitlan.

Popular experiences include taking a hands-on Maya cooking class near Lake Atitlan. Or, take a coffee plantation tour. 

Some of my favourite restaurants in Panajachel include

• Deli Jasmin (for its garden setting and satisfying breakfasts),
• Deli Llama de Fuego (for vegetarian and Guatemalan dishes),
• Cafe Loco for when you need a coffee fix.
• Panajachel market is also a prime place for fresh fruits, street food and snacks. 

7. Take a Day Trip to Chichicastenango

One of the best things to do in the Lake Atitlan area is visit the colourful Mayan market in Chichicastenango. The Chichicastenango market, home of Maxeños, the natives of Chichicastenango. takes place on Thursdays and Sundays.

Many tour operators offer shuttle services to the market on market days so book a Tour to Chichicastenango in advance. 

Check prices and availability of a guided tour to Chichicastenango on Viator.com.

8. Visit an Authentic Market in Solola

9. Soak in Hot Springs or a Mayan Temazcal

Get a wellness boost  by taking a day trip to the large thermal baths at Fuentes Georgina or visiting the geothermal waters at the St. Regis Hotel on Santander Avenue.

It’s also possible to relax in a Mayan sauna known as a temazcal (also spelled temescal) if you’re staying at Hotel Utzjay as they have a traditional sauna onsite.

A new location to experience a Mayan sweat lodge is at The Sanctuary, a meditation, yoga and retreat centre. They offer a deluxe sauna featuring medicinal herbs, salt scrubs, aromatherapy oils and other healing products. It’s located in San Marcos La Laguna.

10. Experience Local Culture at a Local Festival

While in Panajachel be sure to visit the villages of Lake Atitlan. They are top spots to experience Guatemala’s unique festivals such as the town’s saint day, Day of the Dead, Dia del Diablo  Semana Santa and the processions known as posadas during Navidad (Christmas) 

11. Learn about Guatemalan Weaving and Embroidery

Take a hands-on course to learn Guatemalan Backstrap Weaving in San Juan la Laguna.

12. Visit the Lacustre Museum in Panajachel

Located on the grounds of the Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo in Panajachel, the Museo Lacustre is one of the top things to do around Lake Atitlan.

Its exhibits on Mayan culture, the history and the geological formation of Lake Atitlan are quite comprehensive given the relatively small size of the museum itself.

Don’t miss the information about Samabaj, a sunken Mayan city that lies submerged underwater in Lake Atitlan. Discovered in 1996 by a diver who was looking for the lost Mayan city, it was buried by rising water levels around 250 A.D.

Its ceremonial monuments, altars and other structures are the first underwater archaeological ruins to be officially excavated in Guatemala. The precise location of the ancient site is kept secret to avoid looting of valuable artifacts.

13. Go Hiking around Lake Atitlan from San Pedro La Laguna

One of the top places to go hiking near Panajachel is in San Pedro La Laguna. The best short day hike is at Parque Ecologico Volcan San Pedro in the cloud forest near the top of the volcano. 

You’ll hike past a patchwork of avocado and papaya orchards and shade-grown coffee bursting with glossy red berries.  

Anotherpopular hike is Indian Nose, a hill that resembles a Mayan Lord. Check safety conditions and travel with a guide. 

How to Get to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan

Fortunately, getting to Panajachel is relatively easy and inexpensive. If you’re coming from San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas or Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, read Night Bus to Guatemala for detailed instructions.

If you’ve arrived in Guatemala City by plane, you can either stay in Guatemala City overnight or take a shuttle to Antigua, the colonial city. Most hotels can arrange to send a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport. 

You can save some money by taking a shared shuttle but that will  add  to the transfer time as the shuttle will drop off other passengers at their hotels along the way.

You might get lucky and be the first dropped off, but if not, you might spend an hour (or more) bumping along the cobblestone streets of Antigua when you could be nicely settled in your room.

Check out my post 3 Budget Hotels you’ll love in Antigua for three hotels that are clean, well-located and safe. I’ll be adding some fabulous new hotels offering great value soon, so sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear about them.

I recommend spending a few days in Antigua before taking a shuttle to Panajachel. There’s lots to do:

• You can take Spanish lessons at one of the many language schools in Antigua,
• shop for crafts,
• buy some cowboy boots in Pastores,
• browse the jade shops,
• climb the volcanoes,
• visit a coffee plantation,
• or just soak up the beauty of the historic churches in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To leave simply book a direct shuttle to Panajachel. It takes around 2 hours to get from Antigua to Panajachel by shuttle van.

But choose your shuttle company wisely. Some companies use the oldest vans imaginable (bald tires, poor brakes) and have a poor record of showing up on time.

I’ve used Adrenalina Tours and Eternal Spring Travel Agency with good success. You can even book online.

Read my Blog Post on Safety Tips for Guatemala for advice on travel between cities in Guatemala.

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