Lake Atitlan Itinerary: How to Spend 7, 5 or 3 Nights

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So you’ve started planning a trip to Lake Atitlan. You’ve read about all the towns around the lake, the best things to do and started to understand which areas are the best to stay. 

But if your head is spinning and you can’t work out how many days you need in Lake Atitlan and how to divvy up your days, I got you! 

I’ve put together a few different Lake Atitlan itineraries for 7 nights, 5 nights or 3 nights, depending on how much time you’ve got available. These itineraries include as many of the highlights as possible, but also factor in time to relax and soak up the magic of the lake. 

If you’re wondering why they’re in reverse numerical order, it’s because the longer you have at the lake, the better! I think a week is the ideal amount of time at Lake Atitlan, but I know not everyone has that much time available or travels at a faster pace than we do, so I have included some shorter options too. 

Read on for an easy, done-for-you Lake Atitlan itinerary for 7, 5 or 3 nights. 

Planning a trip to Lake Atitlan

STOP! Before you keep reading this itinerary, I’d recommend reading our Lake Atitlan travel guide first. It covers all the other important info you need to know about the lake, like getting there, all the different towns, getting around via the lancha boats or by land, and handy tips about the area. 

How long to stay in Lake Atitlan

How long is a piece of string?! Time moves slowly at Lake Atitlan and days quickly turn into weeks, weeks turn into months. A lot of travellers get stuck here longer than they planned, and it’s a really great place to slow down for a while if you’re on a long-term trip. 

How long to spend at Lake Atitlan is really as much time as you’ve got to spare in your Guatemala itinerary!

We personally spent 7 nights and felt like a week was the perfect amount of time. While we could have easily stayed longer, we felt we saw a lot of the highlights and were able to explore multiple towns, without rushing around too much. 

We do travel quite slowly, so if you’re happy with a quicker pace, you can condense much of what we did into 5 nights, and that’s how I’ve laid out this itinerary. 

The minimum I would suggest staying at Lake Atitlan is 3 nights. You’ll have to make some sacrifices and tough choices on the areas you want to see the most, but it’s still a decent amount of time to get a feel for the lake. 

It’s at least 3+ hours to get to the lake from any other destination in Guatemala, so any less than that would be super rushed and in my opinion, not worth the trip. You’re better off dedicating that time to seeing another destination more thoroughly. 

There are day trips from Antigua and Guatemala City but I think that is complete madness and not a good use of your time. 

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Where to stay for your Lake Atitlan itinerary

If you’ve got 5 or 7 nights, I highly recommend staying in two places around the lake. One with a focus on relaxing and being by the lake, and the second for exploring and activities. 

I’ve got a detailed guide to the best places to stay in Lake Atitlan with a breakdown of the best towns, but this Lake Atitlan itinerary will have you staying in Santa Cruz (for relaxing) and San Pedro (as your hub town). This is what we did, and it was the perfect choice. 

A week means you can spend 3 nights at a chilled-out stay and 4 nights at a busier hub town where you’ll do most of your exploring. If you’ve only got 5 nights, you’ll split it 3 and 2. 

I’ve put the relaxing part of your stay first, as you will probably be ready for a break after hiking volcanoes, long shuttle rides and traipsing around ancient cities. But if you’re just starting out your travels in Guatemala, feel free to reverse the itinerary and do your busy section first, and relaxed stay at the end. 

If you’ve only got 3 nights, I would choose one place. I’ll give you two itinerary options, one for staying in Santa Cruz with a slightly more relaxed vibe, or one for staying in San Pedro with more activities. 

WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA CRUZ

BUDGET 💰

Free Cerveza
Hostelworld

La Iguana Perdida
Hostelworld | Booking.com

MID-RANGE 💰💰

Atitlan Sunset Lodge
Booking.com

La Casa del Mundo
Booking.com | Expedia

LUXURY 💰💰💰

Casa Prana
Booking.com | Expedia

La Fortuna Atitlan
Website

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN PEDRO

BUDGET 💰

Amigos 
Hostelworld | Booking.com

Mr. Mullet’s
Hostelworld

MID-RANGE 💰💰

Mikaso Hotel
Booking.com | Expedia

Hotel Villa del Lago
Booking.com

LUXURY 💰💰💰

Sababa Resort
Booking.com | Expedia

Casa Lobo Bungalows
Booking.com

Lake Atitlan itineraries

To make it easy to interpret and follow these itineraries, each one is written out completely. If you’re reading all of them consecutively, it will feel repetitive, but once you decide which itinerary you want to replicate, you’ll have all the info you need in an easy-to-read format.

7 Night Lake Atitlan itinerary

Day 1

Travel to Lake Atitlan. The easiest way to get here is to take a tourist shuttle to Panajachel, which frequently depart from Antigua, Guatemala City and El Paredon, or really wherever you’re coming from! Unless you’re in Semuc Champey or somewhere further, the trip should take 3 – 5 hours, and if you can leave in the morning you’ll arrive at the lake for lunch. 

Panajachel is the gateway to the lake, and from here you can jump on a boat to your first accommodation in Santa Cruz, where you will stay for 3 nights. 

If you have a kitchen at your accommodation, take some extra time in Panajachel to stock up on groceries and snacks. Also, visit the ATM if you need to and withdraw a load of cash. There are very few amenities in Santa Cruz. 

If you arrive early enough, you can go for a quick wander around Santa Cruz town. It’s a small Maya village perched on a hill above the lake (get a tuk-tuk up from the lakefront, the hill is super steep!). 

There’s not too much to the town, but there is some nice street art and insane views over the whole lake and volcanoes. Pop into Cafe Sabor Cruceño for a drink or late lunch, which is run by a great local NGO Amigos de Santa Cruz. 

Get back to your accommodation before sunset and enjoy the changing light over the lake. If you have kayak or paddleboard rentals at your accommodation, go for a quick paddle on the lake. Sit and stare at the amazing volcanoes looming over the lake, I couldn’t take my eyes off them! Some of the accommodations have hot tubs (Atitlan Sunset Lodge!) which is the perfect place to be for sunset. 

Day 2

Start today early to enjoy the best time on the lake – sunrise. If you have kayaks or paddleboards at your accommodation, check you can access them before sunrise. If not, join a sunrise SUP tour with Stand Up Paddle Atitlan in Santa Cruz. 

The rest of the day is all about relaxing and enjoying the slow pace of life by the lake. We happily spent a day reading, swinging in a hammock, hanging out and swimming from the dock at our accommodation (and looking at volcanoes!). 

If you don’t like sitting still, you can hike a section of the Lower Mayan Trail. The trail runs from Santa Cruz to San Marcos, but the prettiest section is from Santa Cruz to Tzununa. There are a handful of restaurants in Tzununa to have lunch, and you can hike back or get a boat back. While usually fine, there have been some reports of robberies on this trail so ask your the latest info at your accommodation or go with a guide. 

Day 3

Today will focus on exploring the towns on the northern side of the lake. 

Get a boat back to Panajachel and spend an hour or two wandering around the town. It has a very pretty lakefront promenade area, and some fantastic shopping with vendors lining the main street, Calle Santander. There are endless cafes and restaurants so have morning tea or lunch in town. 

Your next stop is the neighbouring town of Santa Catarina Palopo. Catch a boat (it will most likely be a more expensive private boat as there are fewer consistent public boats), a tuk-tuk or a shared pickup truck to get here. 

A few years ago, the locals painted all 850 buildings and houses in the town so it is a gorgeous and colourful place to wander around for an hour or two. Make sure you stop by the Pintando el Cambio Museum to learn more about the project and all the colours and symbols before you start exploring. 

If you have time, you can get a tuk-tuk to the next town, San Antonio Palopo. It’s not as colourful, but it’s known as the pottery town on the lake. There are some fantastic ceramic shops where you can see the potters at work and buy some unique pieces. Try Ceramica Palopo Multicolor. Don’t miss the church, set on a steep hill with amazing lake views!

If you’d prefer to take a guided tour, there is a great ATV tour that visits both these towns from Panajachel. 

Get a pickup truck or tuk-tuk back to Panajachel and make sure you get a boat back to your accommodation well before sunset. They usually stop running between 5:30 – 7:00 pm. 

Day 4

Have a slow morning soaking up the lovely lakeside vibes and volcano vistas. You can go for a kayak or paddleboard again if you have access to rentals. 

When it’s time to check out, jump on a lancha to your next destination: San Pedro. It will take around half an hour to get there. 

Check into your accommodation for the next 4 nights and grab something for lunch. We loved Pita Sabij, The Fifth Dimension and Sababa. 

Spend the afternoon in San Pedro. The town is full of colourful street art, with a maze of tight alleyways to explore. There are plenty of great cafes and bars with rooftop terraces overlooking the lake to enjoy a coffee and/or cocktail. There is more to San Pedro than meets the eye, so make sure you walk up the hill to Parque La Puerta Hermosa, which is a much more local area. 

Enjoy dinner in town, but keep it low-key – you’re up very early tomorrow! Organise a guided hike to Indian Nose for sunrise tomorrow morning. You can book it with any travel agent in town, or if you’d prefer to pre-book this tour is fantastic. 

Day 5

Up and at them early today, ready for a 4:00 am meeting for the Indian Nose hike. 

It’s worth the wake-up, I promise. When you’re standing at the summit looking out at the lake, seeing the horizon glow up behind the volcanoes, you’ll be glad you did it. 

You’ll be back in San Pedro by 8:00 am, so grab a hearty breakfast before you head off to explore another town: San Juan. Get a lancha from the main dock in town. 

The second you step foot off the boat in San Juan, you’ll know why this is called the rainbow town! 

The entire town is filled with vibrant murals and street art, not just on the walls, but on the ground too. The streets are lined with hanging decorations, including one street full of umbrellas (Calle de las Sombrillas) and another full of hats (Calle de los Sombreros). My best advice is to get lost. Wander down as many streets as you can, they’re all gorgeous! 

Don’t forget to walk up to Mirador Kaqasiiwaan. It takes about 20 minutes, but it’s so worth it. Not only for the views over the lake but because the entire viewing platform is covered in colourful murals. 

If you want a more cultural experience, you can take a coffee tour at El Tata Cafe, or watch a weaving demonstration at Casa Flor Ixcaco Weaving Cooperative. 

Take a lancha back to San Pedro and book in for a soak at the hot springs, Los Termales. The owners need at least 30 minutes’ notice, you can contact them via WhatsApp (+502 4242 1494). Time your visit for the hour before sunset for a really nice glow over the lake. 

We did sneak in a nap in the afternoon after our early wake-up, so don’t forget to factor that in today too if you need it!

Day 6

Don’t eat breakfast in San Pedro this morning, hold off until you get to your destination for today, San Marcos. The hippy town of Lake Atitlan, San Marcos has an overly spiritual vibe and attracts a New Age crowd. 

It wasn’t my favourite place on the lake, but I think it’s worth a visit to experience for yourself. Start your day at Circles Cafe for a tasty breakfast and good coffee. I loved the loaded toast. 

Book yourself in for a yoga class at Eagle’s Nest or Kawoq Forest. Take a tuk-tuk there as the studios are both up a very steep hill! You’ll still need to walk some of the way.

Walk back down through town and explore the hippy stores and narrow laneways en route to Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve. This is a small natural area on the shores of the lake that’s known as the best spot to swim. The water is blue and clear, and if you need any encouragement to jump in, there’s a 10 m dive platform! We easily spent a few hours rotating between jumping, swimming, sunning and reading this afternoon. 

Make your way back to San Pedro. Enjoy dinner in town, and a few drinks if you want to indulge in San Pedro’s famous nightlife. 

Day 7

Today is the final day of your Lake Atitlan itinerary, and you’ve got some choices on how you’d like to spend it. 

OPTION 1: SEE THE REST OF THE TOWNS

Until now, you’ve most likely visited 9 out of the 11 towns on the lake if you’ve followed our itinerary. 

If you’re really keen to see all the towns, spend today visiting Santiago Atitlan and San Lucas Toliman. 

To get to Santiago, head to the specific Santiago pier in San Pedro, which is on the eastern side of town away from the Pana dock. 

Santiago is the biggest town around the lake, with a much more local vibe. Check out the main church, stroll through the market and look for the town’s most important resident – Maximon. A life-sized effigy of the Mayan deity, who moves house each year. 

You might be lucky enough to find a lancha from Santiago to the next town, San Lucas Toliman, although it’s not a very common route. If not, get a tuk-tuk or take the chicken bus between towns. 

San Lucas Toliman is one of the smallest and least visited Maya villages around the lake. There isn’t a whole lot to do here, but it’s very authentic and undiscovered. 

Stop by San Lucas Mission (aka Friends of San Lucas) a local NGO that runs a range of community programs, like a school, medical facility, women’s centre and more to improve the lives of the locals and raise the community out of poverty. You can also visit Cafe Juan Ana, a coffee processing plant, which is the main industry in San Lucas. 

From San Lucas, you can return to San Pedro the same way you came, or choose to continue travelling counterclockwise around the lake. If you didn’t make it to San Antonio Palopo on day 3, you can easily visit now before returning to San Pedro via Panajachel. 

OPTION 2: HIKE A VOLCANO

If you’re not sick of hiking up volcanoes, Lake Atitlan has three more to tackle! 

• 🌋 Volcán San Pedro: this is the easiest and most popular volcano to hike. Sitting at 3,020 m (9,908 ft), it only takes around 2 – 4 hours to summit, and the trailhead is a short tuk-tuk drive from San Pedro town. The trail is clearly marked and easy to follow without a guide. There used to be frequent robberies on the trail, but by all accounts, this has stopped now. There is a 100Q entry fee and staff at the trailhead where you can check the current security situation and hire a guide if you wish. Police are stationed at sections of the trail each day which I think has deterred any banditos. 

• 🌋 Volcán Atitlán: the tallest of the three at 3,537 m (11,604 ft) Atitlan is the least hiked volcano. It’s a gruelling 5 – 8 hour trek to the summit, through maize fields and coffee plantations. It’s best done as an overnight experience so you can enjoy a beautiful sunset and sunrise from the summit. Local guide Salvador is highly recommended.

• 🌋 Volcán Tolimán: sitting at 3,158 m (10,361 ft), Toliman is doable as a day hike taking about 3 – 5 hours to reach the summit. It’s also possible to spend the night camping at the summit. This volcano has two peaks, the north and the south, one with an imploded crater. The trail passes through some nice cloud forest but views of the other volcanoes are limited. You can also choose between a day or overnight hike to Toliman.

OPTION 3: BACK TO PANAJACHEL

If you didn’t feel like you had enough time in Panajachel on day 3, you can return today. The majority of organised tours and attractions depart from Panajachel, so you can head back there to participate in one final activity. 

Choose from: 

• Atitlan Nature Reserve
• Paragliding
• Mayan cooking class
• Mayan ceremony at the sacred caves 

OPTION 4: SPEND THE DAY AT A RESORT

If you didn’t get enough of the relaxing lakeside vibes and volcano views, spend your final day in Lake Atitlan taking it easy at one of the best resorts. A lot of them offer day pass options for non-guests to enjoy their views and facilities.

La Casa del Mundo in Jaibalito is a spectacular option if you haven’t already stayed there, although their rules around day passes have recently changed. You can no longer spend the entire day as a non-guest, although it is possible to book in for breakfast (8:00 am – 11:00 am) or lunch (12:00 pm – 3:00 pm). You can stay for a maximum of 3 hours, with a minimum spend required of 100Q per person. Definitely still worth it to appreciate the gorgeous views, amazing architecture and lakeside vibe. You must make a reservation in advance via WhatsApp at +502 5204 5558.

Alternatively, stay local in San Pedro and spend the day chilling out at Sababa Resort. Or if you want to return to Panajachel, you could combine some extra exploring time and shopping with a relaxing afternoon by the pool at Sociatel, who offers access to their facilities for a minimum spend of 50Q per person.

OPTION 5: VISIT THE CHICHCASTENANGO MARKET

Not exactly in Lake Atitlan, but Panajachel is a great jump-off point to visiting the biggest market in Guatemala, Chichicastenango.

Every Thursday and Sunday the town is flooded with locals from the surrounding villages, who come to sell their produce and wares and do their shopping.

Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the market as you wander through thousands of stalls. 

You can jump on a chicken bus, or if you’d prefer something a bit quicker and easier, you can organise a tourist shuttle from Pana that will take you there and back, with plenty of free time to explore the market. 

Day 8

Today marks the end of your time in Lake Atitlan! If you haven’t quite had your fix of the Atitlan magic, you could squeeze in another sunrise SUP. San Pedro Paddle offers tours. 

Book a shuttle to your next destination directly from San Pedro, so you don’t need to backtrack to Pana. You can book shuttles to Antigua, El Paredon, Semuc Champey etc. depending on where you’re heading next. You can book tickets at any of the travel agents in town, or online. 

5 Night Lake Atitlan itinerary

Day 1

Travel to Lake Atitlan. Take a tourist shuttle to Panajachel, and from there get a boat to your first accommodation in Santa Cruz, where you will stay for 3 nights. 

If you have a kitchen at your accommodation, take some time to stock up on groceries and snacks in Panajachel. Also, visit the ATM if you need to and withdraw a load of cash. There are very few amenities in Santa Cruz. 

If you arrive early enough, you can go for a quick wander around Santa Cruz town. It’s a small Maya village perched on a hill above the lake (get a tuk-tuk up from the lakefront, the hill is super steep!). 

There’s not too much to the town, but there is some nice street art and insane views over the whole lake and volcanoes. Pop into Cafe Sabor Cruceño for a drink or late lunch, run by a fantastic local NGO, Amigos de Santa Cruz. 

Get back to your accommodation before sunset and enjoy the changing light over the lake. If you have kayak or paddleboard rentals at your accommodation, go for a quick paddle on the lake. Sit and stare at the amazing volcanoes looming over the lake, I couldn’t take my eyes off them! If you’re lucky, your accommodation might have a hot tub which is the best place to be for sunset!

Day 2

Start today early to enjoy the best time on the lake – sunrise. If you have kayaks or paddleboards at your accommodation, check you can access them before sunrise. If not, join a sunrise SUP tour with Stand Up Paddle Atitlan in Santa Cruz. 

The rest of the day is all about relaxing and enjoying the slow pace of life by the lake. We happily spent a day reading, swinging in a hammock, hanging out and swimming from the dock at our accommodation (and looking at volcanoes!). 

If you don’t like sitting still, you can hike a section of the Lower Mayan Trail. The trail runs from Santa Cruz to San Marcos, but the prettiest section is from Santa Cruz to Tzununa. There are a handful of restaurants in Tzununa to have lunch, and you can hike or get a boat back. While usually fine, there have been some reports of robberies on this trail so ask your the latest info at your accommodation or go with a guide. 

Day 3

Today will focus on exploring the towns on the northern side of the lake. Panajachel or Pana is the busiest tourist hub on the lake and has all kinds of tours and activities available if you want to join some. If so, you may have to sacrifice one of the towns later on today’s schedule, San Antonio Palopo. 

You can go on an ATV tour (which actually visits both of the ‘Palopo’ towns), visit the Atitlan Nature Reserve, go paragliding, join a cooking class or a sacred Mayan ceremony, the list is endless but you will have to be selective with only one day in this area. 

You may also choose to simply spend an hour or two wandering around the town. It has a very pretty lakefront promenade area, and some fantastic shopping with vendors lining the main street, Calle Santander. There are endless cafes and restaurants so have morning tea or lunch in town. 

Your next stop is the neighbouring town of Santa Catarina Palopo. Catch a boat (it will most likely be a more expensive private boat as there are no regular public boats), a tuk-tuk or a shared pickup truck to get here. 

A few years ago, the locals painted all 850 buildings and houses in the town so it is a gorgeous and colourful place to wander around for an hour or two. Make sure you stop by the Pintando el Cambio Museum to learn more about the project and all the colours and symbols before you start exploring. 

If you have time, you can get a tuk-tuk to the next town, San Antonio Palopo. It’s not as colourful, but it’s known as the pottery town on the lake. There are some fantastic ceramic shops where you can see the potters at work and buy some unique pieces. Try Ceramica Palopo Multicolor. Don’t miss the church, set on a steep hill with amazing lake views!

Get a pickup truck or tuk-tuk back to Panajachel and make sure you get a boat back to your accommodation well before sunset. They usually stop running between 5:30 – 7:00 pm. 

Day 4

Have a slow morning soaking up the lovely lakeside vibes and volcano vistas. You can go for a kayak or paddleboard again if you have access to rentals. 

When it’s time to check out, jump on a lancha to your next destination: San Pedro. It will take around half an hour to get there. Check into your accommodation for the next 2 nights and grab something for lunch. We loved Pita Sabij, The Fifth Dimension and Sababa. 

Spend the afternoon exploring San Pedro and its colourful streets and tight alleyways. There are plenty of great cafes and bars with rooftop terraces overlooking the lake to enjoy a coffee and/or cocktail. There is more to San Pedro than meets the eye, so make sure you walk up the hill to Parque La Puerta Hermosa, which is a much more local area. 

Book in for a soak at the hot springs, Los Termales. The owners need at least 30 minutes notice and you can book via WhatsApp (+502 4242 1494). Try and time your visit for the hour before sunset for a really nice glow over the lake. 

Enjoy dinner in town, and a few drinks if you want to indulge in San Pedro’s famous nightlife. 

Day 5

With only 5 days in your Lake Atitlan itinerary, you’ll need to cram two of the most popular towns into one day today: San Marcos and San Juan. It’s totally possible, but you won’t have a lot of time to linger, so get an early start today. 

Don’t eat breakfast in San Pedro, hold off until you get to your first destination, San Marcos. The hippy town of Lake Atitlan, San Marcos has an overly spiritual vibe and attracts a New Age crowd. It wasn’t my favourite place on the lake, but I think it’s worth a visit to experience for yourself. Start your day at Circles Cafe for a tasty breakfast and good coffee. 

Book yourself in for a yoga class at Eagle’s Nest or Kawoq Forest. You’ll need to check the times and be sure that you can squeeze in a class as well as a visit to San Juan. Take a tuk-tuk to the studios as they are both up a very steep hill!

Walk back down through town and explore the hippy stores and narrow laneways en route to Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve. This is a small natural area on the shores of the lake that’s the best spot to swim. The water is blue and clear, and if you need any encouragement to jump in, there’s a 10 m dive platform! 

Take a lancha to your next stop, San Juan. The second you step foot off the boat in San Juan, you’ll know why this is called the rainbow town! 

The entire town is filled with vibrant murals and street art, not just on the walls, but on the ground too. The streets are lined with hanging decorations, including one street full of umbrellas (Calle de las Sombrillas) and another full of hats (Calle de los Sombreros). My best advice is to get lost. Wander down as many streets as you can, they’re all gorgeous! 

Don’t forget to walk up to Mirador Kaqasiiwaan. It takes about 20 minutes, but it’s so worth it. Not only for the views over the lake but because the entire viewing platform is covered in colourful murals. 

Keep an eye on the time and grab a lancha or tuk-tuk back to San Pedro before sunset. Settle in for an early night, you’ll be setting your alarm for 3:00 am! Make sure you have pre-booked your sunrise hike to Indian Nose.

Day 6

Be up and at them early, ready for a 4:00 am meeting for the Indian Nose hike. It’s worth the wake-up, I promise, and the perfect way to end your time on the lake. When you’re standing at the summit looking out at the lake, seeing the horizon glow up behind the volcanoes, you’ll be glad you did it. 

You’ll be back in San Pedro by 8:00 am, so grab a hearty breakfast before you say goodbye to Lake Atitlan and move on to your next destination in Guatemala. Book a shuttle directly from San Pedro to avoid any backtracking across the lake, either with a travel agent in town or online. 

3 Night Lake Atitlan itinerary

With only 3 nights in Lake Atitlan, you’re going to have to make some sacrifices. It’s impossible to see and do everything, and you’ve got some decisions to make about what is most important to you. I’ve created two alternative itineraries, depending on what your main priorities are for your time at the lake. 

Option 1: relaxed focus, stay in Santa Cruz

Day 1

Travel to Lake Atitlan. Take a tourist shuttle to Panajachel as early as possible so you can spend the afternoon at the lake. From Pana, get a boat to your accommodation in Santa Cruz where you will stay for 3 nights. 

If you have a kitchen at your accommodation, stock up on groceries and snacks in Panajachel before getting on a boat. Also, visit the ATM if you need to and withdraw a load of cash. There are very few amenities in Santa Cruz. 

If you arrive early enough, you can go for a quick wander and late lunch in Santa Cruz town. It’s a small Maya village perched on a hill above the lake (get a tuk-tuk up from the lakefront, the hill is super steep!). 

There’s not too much to the town, but there is some nice street art and insane views over the whole lake and volcanoes. Pop into Cafe Sabor Cruceño, which is run by a local NGO, for a drink or meal.

Get back to your accommodation before sunset and enjoy the changing light over the lake. If you have kayak or paddleboard rentals at your accommodation, go for a quick paddle on the lake. Sit and stare at the amazing volcanoes looming over the lake, I couldn’t take my eyes off them! 

Day 2

Start today early to enjoy the best time on the lake – sunrise. If you have kayaks or paddleboards at your accommodation, check you can access them before sunrise. If not, join a sunrise SUP tour with Stand Up Paddle Atitlan in Santa Cruz. 

The rest of the day is all about relaxing and enjoying the slow pace of life by the lake. I know with such a short amount of time it seems silly to waste it, but this is part of the magic of Lake Atitlan. Slowing down, being present, enjoying the beautiful environment you’re in. 

We happily spent a day reading, swinging in a hammock, hanging out and swimming from the dock at our accommodation (and looking at volcanoes!). Make the most of your beautiful accommodation in Santa Cruz. 

If you don’t like sitting still, you can hike a section of the Lower Mayan Trail. The trail runs from Santa Cruz to San Marcos, but the prettiest section is from Santa Cruz to Tzununa. There are a handful of restaurants in Tzununa to have lunch, and you can hike or get a boat back. While usually fine, there have been some reports of robberies on this trail so ask your the latest info at your accommodation or go with a guide. 

Day 3

Today is a jam-packed day, exploring the popular towns on the southern shores of the lake via lancha, San Marcos, San Juan and San Pedro. 

I think you can squeeze in a brief visit to all three, but if you’d prefer to take it slower, choose two. As long as one of them is San Juan, the other one is up to you! 

Don’t eat breakfast at your accommodation this morning, hold off until you get to your first destination, San Marcos. The hippy town of Lake Atitlan, San Marcos has an overly spiritual vibe and attracts a New Age crowd. It wasn’t my favourite place on the lake, but I think it’s worth a visit to experience for yourself. Start your day at Circles Cafe for a tasty breakfast and good coffee. 

You probably won’t have time for a yoga class, but if that’s a priority for you, book in at Eagle’s Nest or Kawoq Forest. Take a tuk-tuk there as both are on a super steep hill! 

Walk through town and explore the hippy stores and narrow laneways en route to Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve. This is a small natural area on the shores of the lake that’s the best spot to swim. The water is blue and clear, and if you need any encouragement to jump in, there’s a 10 m dive platform! 

Take a lancha to your next stop, San Juan. The second you step foot off the boat in San Juan, you’ll know why this is called the rainbow town! 

The entire town is filled with vibrant murals and street art, not just on the walls, but on the ground too. The streets are lined with hanging decorations, including one street full of umbrellas (Calle de las Sombrillas) and another full of hats (Calle de los Sombreros). My best advice is to get lost. Wander down as many streets as you can, they’re all gorgeous! 

Don’t forget to walk up to Mirador Kaqasiiwaan. It takes about 20 minutes, but it’s so worth it. Not only for the views over the lake but because the entire viewing platform is covered in colourful murals. To save time, get a tuk-tuk to and from town to the trailhead.

Get a lancha over to San Pedro for a late lunch. There are so many great restaurants to choose from here, we loved Pita Sabij, The Fifth Dimension and Sababa. Spend an hour strolling around town. There’s tons of colourful street art, cute cafes and of course, bars for a drink overlooking the lake!

Make sure you’re on a lancha back to Santa Cruz before sunset. 

Day 4

One of the main reasons people choose to stay in San Pedro over Santa Cruz is to do the Indian Nose hike at sunrise. But contrary to popular belief, you can do the hike from other towns on the lake. BUT – you’ll need to organise a private tour that includes boat transport from Santa Cruz and you’ll have to wake up a hell of a lot earlier. 

This tour has the option for additional transport from Santa Cruz. It’s worth the wake-up, I promise, and the perfect way to end your time on the lake. When you’re standing at the summit looking out at the lake, seeing the horizon glow up behind the volcanoes, you’ll be glad you did it. 

You should be back at your accommodation before 9:00 am. Pack up, check out and get a boat to Panajachel. I’d recommend coordinating your onward transport with one of the travel agents in town, so you can use their office for luggage storage for a few hours. 

Try and get an afternoon shuttle so you have a few hours to explore Pana. The busiest tourist hub on the lake, it has a very pretty lakefront promenade area, and some fantastic shopping with vendors lining the main street, Calle Santander. 

There are endless cafes and restaurants in Panajachel, so have lunch in town before you say goodbye to Lake Atitlan! 

Option 2: active approach, stay in San Pedro

Day 1

Travel to Lake Atitlan. Because you’ve opted to stay in San Pedro, organise a tourist shuttle directly there to avoid travelling via Panajachel and needing to take a boat. There are direct shuttles to San Pedro from Antigua, El Paredon etc. Check into your accommodation for the next 3 nights. 

Grab something for lunch, we loved Pita Sabij, The Fifth Dimension and Sababa. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring San Pedro. There is so much street art, with a maze of tight, rainbow alleyways to explore. Make sure you walk up the hill to Parque La Puerta Hermosa, which is a much more local area. 

Book in for a soak at the hot springs, Los Termales this afternoon. The owners need at least 30 minutes’ notice, you can contact them via WhatsApp (+502 4242 1494). Try and time your visit for the hour before sunset for a really nice glow over the lake. 

Enjoy dinner in town, but keep it low-key – you’re up very early tomorrow! Organise a guided hike to Indian Nose for sunrise tomorrow morning. You can book it with any travel agent in town or pre-book online.

Day 2

Be up and at them early, ready for a 4:00 am meeting for the Indian Nose hike. It’s worth the wake-up, I promise. When you’re standing at the summit looking out at the lake, seeing the horizon glow up behind the volcanoes, you’ll be glad you did it. 

You’ll be back in San Pedro by 8:00 am, so grab a hearty breakfast before you head off to explore another town: San Juan. Get a lancha from the main dock in town. 

The second you step foot off the boat in San Juan, you’ll know why this is called the rainbow town! 

The entire town is filled with vibrant murals and street art, not just on the walls, but on the ground too. The streets are lined with hanging decorations, including one street full of umbrellas (Calle de las Sombrillas) and another full of hats (Calle de los Sombreros). My best advice is to get lost. Wander down as many streets as you can, they’re all gorgeous! 

Don’t forget to walk up to Mirador Kaqasiiwaan. It takes about 20 minutes, but it’s so worth it. Not only for the views over the lake but because the entire viewing platform is covered in colourful murals. 

Keep an eye on the time and take a lancha to San Marcos for lunch. We loved Circles Cafe, with tasty pastries, loaded toasts and other baked goods. 

The hippy town of Lake Atitlan, San Marcos has an overly spiritual vibe and attracts a New Age crowd. It wasn’t my favourite place on the lake, but I think it’s worth a visit to experience for yourself. 

You probably won’t have time for a yoga class, but if that’s a priority for you, book yourself in for a yoga class at Eagle’s Nest or Kawoq Forest. Take a tuk-tuk there as they’re both on a super steep hill! 

Walk through town and explore the hippy stores and narrow laneways en route to Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve. This is a small natural area on the shores of the lake that’s the best spot to swim. The water is blue and clear, and if you need any encouragement to jump in, there’s a 10 m dive platform! 

Get a lancha back to San Pedro before sunset. 

Day 3

For the last full day of your Lake Atitlan itinerary, you have two choices. 

OPTION 1: EXPLORE PANAJACHEL AND SANTA CATARINA PALOPO

If your main priority is seeing as many of the towns around Lake Atitlan as possible, go with this option. 

Today will focus on exploring the towns on the northern side of the lake. Panajachel or Pana is the busiest tourist hub on the lake and has all kinds of tours and activities available if you want to join some. If so, you may have to sacrifice one of the towns later on today’s schedule, San Antonio Palopo. 

You can go on an ATV tour (which actually visits both of the ‘Palopo’ towns on the schedule for today), visit the Atitlan Nature Reserve, go paragliding, join a cooking class or a sacred Mayan ceremony, the list is endless but you will have to be selective with only one day in this area. 

Your next stop is the neighbouring town of Santa Catarina Palopo. Catch a boat (it will most likely be a more expensive private boat as there are no regular public boats), a tuk-tuk or a shared pickup truck to get here. 

A few years ago, the locals painted all 850 buildings and houses in the town so it is a gorgeous and colourful place to wander around for an hour or two. Make sure you stop by the Pintando el Cambio Museum to learn more about the project and all the colours and symbols before you start exploring. 

If you have time, you can get a tuk-tuk to the next town, San Antonio Palopo. It’s not as colourful, but it’s known as the pottery town on the lake. There are some fantastic ceramic shops where you can see the potters at work and buy some unique pieces. Try Ceramica Palopo Multicolor. Don’t miss the church, set on a steep hill with amazing lake views!

Get a pickup truck or tuk-tuk back to Panajachel and make sure you get a boat back to San Pedro well before sunset. They usually stop running between 5:30 – 7:00 pm. 

OPTION 2: HANG OUT IN SANTA CRUZ AND SPEND THE DAY AT LA CASA DEL MUNDO

The downside of staying in San Pedro is that you don’t get the amazing volcano views. Personally, I think this is one of the best parts of Lake Atitlan, and although it might seem like you’re ‘wasting’ a day just hanging out at a resort, enjoying those vistas is an essential Lake Atitlan experience. 

The tiny town of Santa Cruz has one of the best vantage points of the lake. Get a lancha here from San Pedro, and take a tuk-tuk into town. There’s not much to it, but its location on a seriously steep hill has the best elevated views of the lake and the volcanoes. Have breakfast/brunch/morning tea at Cafe Sabor Cruceño, a social enterprise cafe. 

Take a short stroll along the Lower Mayan Trail to the neighbouring town of Jaibalito, where your real destination for the day is waiting – La Casa del Mundo. This is one of the most famous hotels on the lake, and its location and views are spectacular. 

Their rules around day passes have recently changed and you can no longer spend the entire day as a non-guest. Although it is possible to book in for breakfast (8:00 am – 11:00 am) or lunch (12:00 pm – 3:00 pm), and you can stay for a maximum of 3 hours, with a minimum spend required of 100Q per person. Definitely still worth it to appreciate the gorgeous views, amazing architecture and lakeside vibe. You must make a reservation in advance via WhatsApp at +502 5204 5558.

Drag yourself back to San Pedro before the last lancha passes. 

Day 4

If you didn’t get enough time on the water yesterday, organise a sunrise SUP tour for your final morning. Stand Up Paddle Atitlan runs tours, and it’s a special way to start the day. 

Organise onward transport to your next destination in Guatemala. Book a shuttle directly from San Pedro to avoid any backtracking across the lake, either with a travel agent in town or online. 

Lake Atitlan itinerary: Final thoughts

Whether you’ve got 7 nights, 5 nights or 3 nights, I hope this Lake Atitlan itinerary was helpful in planning your trip to Guatemala’s most magical lake. 

As I’m sure you can tell from this post (and you will definitely realise when you arrive!), no amount of time will ever feel like enough here, but these itineraries are a good place to start and give you a pretty good taste of what Lake Atitlan has to offer. 

It’s designed to complement my other posts about the lake, so be sure to read those too and you’ll be an expert on all things Lake Atitlan! 

MORE LAKE ATITLAN POSTS

• Lake Atitlan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• Where to Stay in Lake Atitlan: Best Towns and Hotels
• The Towns of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala: 11 Villages to Explore
• 21 Best Things to Do in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
• Indian Nose Hike: The Best Sunrise in Lake Atitlan