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If you’re travelling to Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is no doubt on your itinerary. But when it comes time to start planning this leg of your trip, your head is spinning!
Trying to figure out all the different towns around the lake (each with its own very unique personality), deciphering the various hotels and hostels all while looking back and forth at the map, forgetting if it’s San Pedro or San Juan you decided on…
I’ve been there! I spent weeks researching and deliberating about where to stay in Lake Atitlan.
As someone who is not a quick decision-maker at the best of times, this one really tested me. I ummed and aahed for so long that we lost out on hotel bookings, and Brayden rolled his eyes at me when I wanted to discuss my pros and cons list for each town for the tenth time.
Lake Atitlan is continually ranked as one of the best places in all of Central America, so we had very high expectations for our time there, and choosing where to stay felt extra important. One wrong step and we’d be in a town we hated surrounded by stinky hippies, not feeling the magic of the lake that everyone talks about.
If you’re in the same boat, then this post is for you. This isn’t a guide to the lake, telling you everything you need to know about getting there and around, what to do, where to eat etc. It’s also not an overview of each of the towns to visit around the lake (I’ve got another post for that).
This post will focus exclusively on the best towns to actually SLEEP in, with the pros and cons of each, and hotel and hostel options. So let’s help you make a decision once and for all so you can book the best places to stay in Lake Atitlan!
Choosing where to stay in Lake Atitlan
If this decision feels harder than it should, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Lake Atitlan is sold as one destination, but really it’s more like a dozen different places in one, so no wonder it’s confusing to choose where to stay!
There are 11 towns around Lake Atitlan, but unless you’ve got weeks, you’re not going to stay in all of them. I would encourage you to visit as many as you can on day trips, but in reality, only about 4 – 6 towns are common for travellers to stay in (depending on who you ask), and you’ll narrow down to 1 or 2 of them.
Choosing from 4 – 6 towns is a lot easier than 11, so we’ve already made your decision simpler!
🌈 Wondering how to get to Lake Atitlan and how to travel around between the towns? Check out my Lake Atitlan travel guide. I’ve got info on how to get to the lake from multiple places around Guatemala, plus a detailed lancha survival guide, prepping you with everything you need to know about navigating the boats around the lake.
The most common towns to stay in around Lake Atitlan, and the ones I will dive into deeper are:
- 🎒 San Pedro la Laguna: the backpacker town
- 🛺 Panajachel: the tourist hub of the lake
- 🌋 Santa Cruz la Laguna: the best volcano views
- 🧘🏼♀️ San Marcos la Laguna: the hippy town
Don’t get up in arms about why I’m not mentioning San Juan or Santa Catarina, I’ve got a section detailing the villages I don’t think you should stay in and why, you can jump there if you’d like to.
Where we stayed in Lake Atitlan
Before I dive into a more detailed overview of each town and the pros and cons of staying there, I’ll give you some context of what we decided to do.
We had 7 nights to spend at Lake Atitlan, and after much deliberation, we decided to spend 3 nights in Santa Cruz and 4 nights in San Pedro and we are 1000% happy with our decision.
What we wanted from our time on the lake was a mix of relaxation and activities. I wanted to hit all the main sights and explore as many of the towns as we comfortably could. But I also wanted a few days to do nothing, except stare at the volcanoes, relax by the lake, kayak or SUP and watch the sunset – soak up the magic of Lake Atitlan.
Santa Cruz was our relax town and it totally fit the bill. We splurged a little more than usual on our accommodation and stayed at Atitlan Sunset Lodge which was divine. We had our own kitchen and cooked many meals for ourselves, and we barely left the area.
We saved our sightseeing and lake explorations for our next stop, San Pedro. We liked the town more than we thought we would, but not so much that we didn’t want to leave. San Pedro was a great base, but we happily went off for the day to explore the other towns and didn’t feel like we were wasting or missing out on anything not hanging at our accommodation.
I think most visitors want the same thing, and if this applies to you, I’d suggest dividing your time in Lake Atitlan into two towns. If you’ve got between 5 – 8 nights, choose one destination to take it easy and soak up the lakeside life (Santa Cruz is my top choice, some people would say San Marcos, but you can also be led by the accommodation you like the most) and then a second to use as your jump-off point for exploring (San Pedro or Pana).
If you’re really short on time (less than 5 nights), choose one town. If you’ve got 9 nights or more, you could possibly add in a third town if you’d like to.
Now you just have to decide which towns are right for you!
🛺 Simplify your planning with our Lake Atitlan itinerary for 7, 5 or 3 nights!
Best towns to stay in Lake Atitlan
San Pedro la Laguna
San Pedro has forever been known as the ‘backpacker town’ of Lake Atitlan. When choosing which town we wanted to be our base, we were so unsure if San Pedro would suit us. We don’t like to party, I get very cranky if it’s too noisy to sleep and I don’t like witnessing drunk backpackers behaving like idiots.
In the end, the plethora of amazing cafes and restaurants won out (I also don’t like cooking!) and we were due for an ATM visit. Luckily San Pedro turned out to be a great choice for us!
It was nowhere near as wild as we were expecting, and we didn’t find it to be in-your-face party vibes at all. Maybe we just got lucky with a quiet week, and we did strategically stay outside of town (which I’d suggest you do too if you value sleep), but we fell for the charm of San Pedro and I can see why so many people love it.
I’m glad it wasn’t our only stay in Lake Atitlan as the town is lacking in those looming volcano views that are so quintessential to the lake. It also wasn’t the tranquil, lakeside retreat we were hoping for – but that was fine because we weren’t laying all our hopes on one town.
There was tons of great street art, with a maze of rainbow alleyways to get lost in. The restaurants were fantastic, and its central location made it a good jump-off point for exploring San Juan, San Marcos and Santiago. We also planned to do our Indian Nose Sunrise hike from here, which was very easy to organise.
There are some really cute little mini neighbourhoods to explore outside the main tourist area near the docks and if you head up the big hill towards the centre of town, you’ll find yourself in another, more local world.
PROS OF STAYING IN SAN PEDRO 👍🏼
- Tons of affordable accommodation options (in and out of the party zone)
- Fantastic variety of cafes and international restaurants
- Amenities like an ATM, small supermarkets and tour agencies
- Shuttle and bus connections to the rest of the country, so you can arrive or depart the lake via San Pedro
- Great jump-off point for activities like the Indian Nose Hike, Volcan San Pedro hike
CONS OF STAYING IN SAN PEDRO 👎🏼
- No volcano views
- Some people may find it too party/backpacker
- It’s not tranquil, and doesn’t necessarily have that Lake Atitlan ‘magic’
- Part of the town has been taken over by expats (mostly Israeli) and it doesn’t feel very local or authentic
- Can be noisy if you stay in the centre of town
Where to stay in San Pedro
BUDGET 💰
- Amigos: one of the more relaxed hostels in San Pedro, Amigos has newly renovated dorms and private rooms, with a great rooftop patio overlooking the lake. There are hammocks scattered around everywhere, a communal kitchen and everything is kept very clean.
- Check prices and availability via Hostelworld | Booking.com
- Mr. Mullet’s: this is the OG party hostel in San Pedro. It consistently gets good reviews, so they must be doing something right! If you don’t want a social, party vibe skip it. But if beer pong tournaments, pub crawls and booze cruises sound up your alley, this is the best place.
- Check prices and availability via Hostelworld
Check out Casa Lobo and Sababa Resort in the boutique section below too, they both also offer dorms.
MID RANGE 💰💰
- Mikaso Hotel: a very popular, affordable option overlooking the lake in the quiet part of town. They have simple but spacious and clean rooms, very friendly and helpful staff and a lovely rooftop terrace.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
- Hotel Villa del Lago, Gladys: if you want to be lakefront without breaking the bank, this is by far the best option! A cosy, locally owned spot, rooms are simple but comfortable and basically all of them have an excellent view.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com
BOUTIQUE 💰💰💰
- Sababa Resort: the nicest option in San Pedro in terms of amenities, this resort has a gorgeous pool area overlooking the lake. The rooms are modern, a great breakfast is included and the whole property has a beach club kind of feel. It’s in the heart of the action, so don’t be expecting peace and quiet! It’s actually a good budget option too as there are a few dorm rooms in the resort.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
- Casa Lobo Bungalows: if you want to stay in San Pedro but don’t want the noise, this is a fantastic option. It’s on the outskirts of town which is much quieter, but you’ll have a decent walk into the centre. There is a lovely pool overlooking the lake and the grounds are lush and tropical. There are private rooms, a self-contained house and dorms.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com
Panajachel
Pana as it’s more commonly called is the gateway to Lake Atitlan. If you’re just starting your research, it’s probably the town you’ve heard mentioned most frequently.
Although there are some direct shuttles to San Pedro these days, most shuttles and chicken buses arrive via Pana. It’s almost inevitable that you will pass through the town at some point during your time at Lake Atitlan.
Panajachel is a tourist town, and it has everything tourists need. There are accommodations for all budgets, tons of great restaurant and cafe options, ATMs, a phone shop, supermarkets, reliable wifi and a co-working space, travel agents to book tours and shuttles and so on. It’s not remote or isolated and it’s not the kind of place you’d need to pre-plan to comfortably visit.
If you’re planning to do a lot of guided tours and attractions, Pana is a good place to base yourself. From here you can go paragliding, visit the Atitlan Nature Reserve, do ATV tours or guided tours of the lake.
The downside of having all these amenities at your fingertips is that Pana is busy, hectic and noisy. It’s built up and doesn’t feel very natural, and you certainly won’t experience the ‘magic’ of Lake Atitlan as street vendors haggle, tuk-tuks fly past and boat captains shout their destination at the highest decibel.
If you’re using Pana as your ‘hub’ town, and plan to compliment it with a more relaxed stay elsewhere, then the negatives are manageable.
If that’s the case, I think your main decision is whether to stay in Pana or San Pedro. Both are great hubs and in my opinion, you should choose one or the other, not both, as they both serve the same purpose.
In the end, we decided against Pana. We’d already been in a city in Antigua and although Panajachel only has a population of 16,000 and is far from what you’d typically classify as a ‘city’, we didn’t want or need all those amenities.
San Pedro met the same needs for an equipped base town, but we found it much more charming and slightly more laidback than Pana. Panajachel does have a more diverse mix of people though, and is a popular choice for Guatemalan tourists and international tourists outside of just the backpacker market. Another factor to consider when deciding between the two.
PROS OF STAYING IN PANAJACHEL 👍🏼
- The most common access point to the lake with shuttle and bus connections to the rest of the country
- Excellent vantage point of the volcanoes and a nice (if not a little busy) lakefront area
- Great range of accommodations, restaurants and cafes for every taste and budget
- Tourist amenities like solid wifi, ATMs, supermarkets, travel agents, phone shops etc.
- Easy access to attractions and activities like Atitlan Nature Reserve, paragliding and guided tours of the lake and its villages if you’re into that
- A more diverse mix of locals and tourists, with a lot of domestic visitors and a broader spectrum of international tourists, not just backpackers
CONS OF STAYING IN PANAJACHEL 👎🏼
- Pana is hectic, busy and noisy at all times of the day and night
- It’s built up and not very natural, the volcano views are only really visible from the lake shore and the view doesn’t loom over the entire town
- It’s not tranquil, and doesn’t necessarily have that Lake Atitlan ‘magic’
- It’s a tourist town, through and through, so expect some pushy locals attempting to part you with your money
- The accommodation here is generally more dated and there aren’t any exceptional boutique stays if that’s what you’re looking for
Where to stay in Panajachel
BUDGET 💰
- Socialtel: an upper-scale hostel right on the shores of the lake with fantastic volcano views. As a former Selina hostel, it’s a great place for digital nomads with reliable wifi and a co-working space. There are dorms and private rooms that are a little on the pricey side but the decor, design and amenities are worth it. There is a pool, a great restaurant and a beach club on-site.
- Check prices and availability via Hostelworld | Booking.com
- Dreamboat Hostel: the best-rated hostel in Pana, Dreamboat has a fun, social vibe with a pool, rooftop bar, on-site restaurant, communal kitchen and calendar of social activities. It lacks the lakeside location and uninterrupted views of Socialtel, but it’s more affordable.
- Check prices and availability via Hostelworld | Booking.com
MID RANGE 💰💰
- Hotel-Villas Jabel Tinamit: a no-fuss, well-equipped, well-located option in Pana. If you want privacy but don’t want to splurge, Jabel Tinamit has spacious private rooms, lovely gardens and breakfast included daily for a very affordable price. It’s rated 9/10 from more than 1,000 reviews so you know they’re doing something right!
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
- Hotel y Centro de Convenciones Jardines del Lago: volcano views, pool and lakefront location without the high price tag. The rooms are spacious and clean, although nothing special, but you’re really here for the grounds and the view.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
BOUTIQUE 💰💰💰
- Hotel Atitlan: by far the nicest hotel in Panajachel, Hotel Atitlan has uninterrupted views of the lake and volcanoes as well as a huge swimming pool to soak up the vista. The rooms are sophisticated and tastefully decorated with nods to the Indigenous Maya culture and the service is excellent.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
- Porta Hotel del Lago: this high-rise option near the lake is a proper hotel. It feels a bit sterile for my liking, but there’s no denying that the views are beautiful with great amenities like a huge pool, gym and restaurant.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
Santa Cruz la Laguna
Santa Cruz embodies the magic of Lake Atitlan and is where we finally understood all the hype. It has, hands down, the BEST views on the lake, and you can clearly see Volcanes Atitlan and Toliman nestled together, as well as Volcan San Pedro.
There are only a handful of accommodations here, and they all sit right on the lake. It’s the best place for water activities like kayaking or paddleboarding in the shadow of the volcanoes, and most accommodations offer free rentals.
You can’t help but slow down here, and you can easily while away a few days relaxing and simply looking out over the lake. We happily did this, and couldn’t drag ourselves away to do any exploring.
I’d suggest arranging your itinerary so your stay in Santa Cruz can be all about taking it easy and hanging out at your accommodation, and you do all your activities from another base town.
The town is a very small Maya community, perched on a hill away from the lakeshore. This is good in the sense that the noise and bustle (there’s not much of either of those things!) don’t carry to the lake, so it’s a quiet and peaceful place to stay.
The hill is seriously steep though, so it makes the town a little inaccessible unless you want to pay for a tuk-tuk or tackle the short but tough walk. That said, there’s not really much to see in town, with the exception of a few nice murals, a great social enterprise restaurant, Cafe Sabor Cruceño, and excellent elevated views of the lake. You don’t really need to visit more than once.
Being able to self-cater is ideal here. If not, make sure that you’re happy with the restaurant options at or immediately around your lakeside accommodation. If you’re on a budget you’ll spend more on meals than you normally would if you’re locked into eating at your accommodation, but it balances out as you probably won’t spend money on anything else.
That’s the only real downside of staying in Santa Cruz. There are very few amenities and you’re a bit isolated and restricted when it comes to eating, especially at night when the boats aren’t running. If you do have a kitchen, you’ll want to come stocked with groceries from Pana, and make sure you’ve got cash as there is only one ATM in Santa Cruz and it’s often out of order.
The neighbouring town of Jaibalito is home to the famous La Casa del Mundo Hotel. For all intents and purposes, Jaibalito offers the same experience as Santa Cruz, with the same pros and cons. So if La Casa del Mundo catches your eye, you can pretty much expect the same thing as if you were in Santa Cruz ‘proper’.
PROS OF STAYING IN SANTA CRUZ 👍🏼
- The BEST volcano views on the lake
- Gorgeous lakeside accommodations for all price points
- Great place to kayak or SUP, most accommodations have free rentals
- Quiet, peaceful place with no noise or hustle and bustle, great for a few relaxing days and experiencing the true magic of the lake
- Unless you’re staying in Santa Cruz, it’s unlikely you’d visit for the day so the town is not busy at all
CONS OF STAYING IN SANTA CRUZ 👎🏼
- Very few amenities, no nightlife, nothing really to do in or around the town
- Only a handful of restaurants so you either have to cook if you’ve got a kitchen (come loaded with groceries) or eat at your accommodation/neighbouring accommodations
- Some people may feel stuck or isolated, as you’re essentially trapped at your accommodation in the evenings (we had no problem with this though!)
- Wifi can be spotty here being a bit more remote
- All the accommodations are quite isolated so you’re not as immersed in local life and culture
Where to stay in Santa Cruz
BUDGET 💰
- Free Cerveza: if your Spanish isn’t great, cerveza means beer and yes, this hostel offers free beer every day before family dinner! One of the most famous hostels in Guatemala, Free Cerveza is a glamping hostel with private or shared glamping tents. They have free kayaks and paddleboards and a beautiful lawn and dock to enjoy the views and chill out.
- Check prices and availability via Hostelworld
- La Iguana Perdida: another very popular option, the room options are more varied here with dorms, private rooms with shared bathrooms and completely private options with bathrooms. They have a few social events throughout the week and offer family dinners each night. As with everywhere in Santa Cruz, there are epic views and plenty of nice spaces to hang out and gaze at the volcanoes.
- Check prices and availability via Hostelworld | Booking.com
MID RANGE 💰💰
- Atitlan Sunset Lodge: this is where we stayed and we can’t recommend it more highly! Each room is self-contained with a private kitchen, and they all have excellent views of the lake and volcanoes. There is a small hot tub that they fire up for sunset, and you can enjoy their kayaks and paddleboards. The on-site restaurant is excellent quality although not the cheapest. We came armed with groceries and did not want to leave. It is so quiet and peaceful and everything was superb.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com
- La Casa del Mundo: frequently ranked as one of the best places to stay in Lake Atitlan La Casa del Mundo is surprisingly affordable! The location in neighbouring Jaibalito offers complete peace and tranquillity, with the same stunning views. The hotel is perched on the edge of a cliff, and you can swim, kayak or paddleboard. It’s as good as everyone says.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
BOUTIQUE 💰💰💰
- Casa Prana: offering an unrivalled level of luxury, Casa Prana is one of the most exceptional hotels on the lake. The grounds are pristine, with gorgeous gardens, a swimming pool and of course, a looming volcano always within sight. The suites are enormous and the higher categories have lavish bathtubs.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
- La Fortuna Atitlan: tucked in a secluded bay between Santa Cruz and Panajachel, La Fortuna is the trendiest hotel on the lake. There are just 5 private, palm-thatched bungalows scattered around the tropical grounds, offering complete privacy and seclusion.
- Check prices and availability via La Fortuna Atitlan
San Marcos la Laguna
It kind of pains me to include San Marcos as we really did NOT like this town. However, we only realised this once we visited, and we were so close to staying here as it’s frequently listed as one of the best areas to stay on the lake.
San Marcos is known as the ‘hippy town’ of the lake, but it is unfortunately so much more than that these days. It’s a magnet for New Age and spiritual travellers, and they have completely overtaken the town. It’s been gringo-fied, just not in the way you’d usually expect from a tourist destination.
Some people love it, and if you’re into that stuff, San Marcos might be the perfect place for you. But the vibe is polarising and can be eerie and uncomfortable. I disagreed with a lot of stuff I saw going on here (drugs, among other things), and felt so sad for the local community, seeing what their town had turned into.
I will acknowledge the benefits of San Marcos though. It’s small and offers a quiet and peaceful stay with beautiful views of the San Pedro Volcano. But it’s not so small that it doesn’t have any amenities. There’s a good range of cafes and restaurants, so you’re not necessarily isolated, but you do get the laidback vibes.
Some of the more pared-back yoga studios offer a nice experience for a one-off class with possibly some of the best yoga views in the world! Eagle’s Nest is very popular, and we really enjoyed our class here.
It’s one of the cleanest places to swim in the lake, and the Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve is a beautiful natural area on the shores of the lake with some leafy jungle and clear blue waters.
However, I believe you can easily experience the highlights of San Marcos on a day trip, without needing to commit to a stay here. Unless you’re extremely confident that you’ll be comfortable and fit in with the spiritual vibe, I wouldn’t stay here.
PROS OF STAYING IN SAN MARCOS 👍🏼
- Great volcano views
- Every kind of wellness experience you could imagine is available (yoga, meditation, reiki, sound healing, cacao ceremonies etc.)
- The town is quite small and peaceful, it doesn’t feel anywhere near as noisy or bustling as Pana or San Pedro
- Good variety of restaurants and cafes (mostly vegan)
CONS OF STAYING IN SAN MARCOS 👎🏼
- A foreign, spiritual crowd that is very in-your-face and at times confronting if you’re not into that kind of thing
- Not a lot of local culture (the same can be said of many other towns, but it felt particularly prevalent here as it’s been replaced with such a brash and gentrified subculture)
- It’s quite expensive here as most businesses are owned by foreigners
- Small town that doesn’t have a ton of amenities and no nightlife
Where to stay in San Marcos
BUDGET 💰
- ATI Hostel & Beach Club: recently revived and renamed from the popular Hostel del Lago, ATI has a small number of dorm rooms and a bigger range of budget private rooms. It’s situated right on the lake shores with beautiful views of Volcan San Pedro, and there are plenty of nice communal areas to sit in and take advantage of the view. Free breakfast and coffee daily.
- Check prices and availability via Hostelworld
- Casa AHUA: perched up on the hill away from the lake in a slice of green forest, this hostel has quite a different appeal without the lake views. The dorm beds are singles, not bunks, and there are lots of bright, light airy spaces to hang out. A tasty breakfast is included daily.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com
MID RANGE 💰💰
- Lush Atitlan: another very popular hotel option on the lake, Lush offers rooms with an earthy, natural feel that are right at home in San Marcos. Nestled into a sea of greenery with an elevated position above the lake, most rooms have views.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com
- Eagle’s Nest: the most popular yoga studio on the lake, Eagle’s Nest has a breathtaking vista of the lake and volcanoes. It’s tucked away on a steep hill out of town, somewhere you’d want to stay put for a few days. The rooms are far from luxurious, and I’d recommend reading the reviews carefully to see if this is a place you’d like to stay. However, if you’re there for the yoga and wellness experience, I think you’ll enjoy it, and the room rates are inclusive of all your meals.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com
BOUTIQUE 💰💰💰
- Kula Maya Boutique Resort & Spa: this stunning property is in the best location right on the lake, with the volcanoes looming ahead and the town centre and dock just a short walk away. This is one of the more modern and luxurious hotels and it immediately caught our eye as we explored San Marcos.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
- Baraka Atitlan: a private and self-contained alternative, tucked in a secluded bay a short walk from San Marcos. Baraka isn’t a traditional hotel, but their fully-equipped apartments are incredible! For those who want privacy and luxury, this is the perfect combination.
- Check prices and availability via Booking.com | Expedia
Where not to stay in Lake Atitlan
I can’t ignore the other 7 towns around the lake, and there are a few towns that many people would recommend you to stay at. These are my thoughts on why I personally wouldn’t choose them, but they may be right for you so don’t take only my word for it.
🌈 San Juan: San Juan was GORGEOUS and one of my favourite towns on Lake Atitlan, but I don’t think I’d want to stay there unless it was an additional third or fourth stay. It is quite a small town without the amenities of San Pedro or Pana, however I will say this seems to be changing quite quickly, and I’m sure the town has a lot more to offer now than when we first visited. However, it also doesn’t have volcano views and you can’t change that! I really did love San Juan and I think visiting for the day is one of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan, but I don’t think it’s worth sacrificing (some?) amenities for somewhere that doesn’t have a nice vista of the volcanoes. Just my personal preference.
If you do decide to stay in San Juan…
🌀 Santa Catarina Palopo: the town is cute and colourful, and again totally worth visiting for the day, but it is very small and lacking in any amenities, with very few restaurant options. The views are incredible, so this could be your base for the relaxing portion of your stay, however, the accommodation options here are very pricey, so I think Santa Cruz is a better option unless you’re on a bigger budget.
If you do decide to stay in Santa Catarina Palopo…
🌿 Tzununa: a very small and remote town with a focus on permaculture farming, yoga and sustainable living, Tzununa is lovely and if you’re into that, it can be a nice base for the relaxing part of your visit. There are good volcano views and a handful of good accommodation options that may get this town over the line for you. I just personally wouldn’t choose this over Santa Cruz.
If you do decide to stay in Tzununa…
Plus the remainder of the 11 villages around Lake Atitlan I haven’t mentioned here: Santiago Atitlan, San Lucas Toliman and San Antonio Palaopo. All these towns have their drawcards, but unless you’ve got a lot of time, it’s unlikely you’d choose to stay in these smaller, more local villages that have fewer accommodation options.
Best hotels and hostels in Lake Atitlan
The alternative way to approach your decision on where to stay in Lake Atitlan is to be led by the accommodation, rather than the town.
Some of the best places to stay in Lake Atitlan aren’t actually located in the towns I’ve recommended, or any town at all for that matter. A lot of them are tucked away in remote corners of the lake.
If you’re following our advice and staying in at least two places, I think this is a great idea for your relaxation portion. Although I’d still put more thought on the location and amenities for your second stay, in your ‘hub’ town.
I’ve already mentioned many of these accommodation options in their respective town, but if you’ve skipped straight here and want to click on dreamy hotel photos then go ahead!
Most popular hotels in Lake Atitlan
- La Casa del Mundo 📍Jaibalito
- Atitlan Sunset Lodge 📍Santa Cruz
- Casa Prana 📍Santa Cruz
- La Fortuna Atitlan 📍between Pana & Santa Cruz
- El Picnic Atitlan 📍Tzununa
- Lush Atitlan 📍San Marcos
- Kula Maya Boutique Hotel & Spa 📍San Marcos
- Sababa Resort 📍San Pedro
- Tzampoc Resort 📍Santa Catarina Palopo
- Hotel Casa Palopo 📍Santa Catarina Palopo
Atitlan Sunset Lodge
Most popular hostels in Lake Atitlan
- Free Cerveza 📍Santa Cruz
- La Iguana Perdida 📍Santa Cruz
- Socialtel Atitlan 📍Panajachel
- Dreamboat Hostel 📍Panajachel
- Mr. Mullet’s 📍San Pedro
- Sababa Resort 📍San Pedro
- Casa Lobo 📍San Pedro
- Eco-Hostel Mayachik 📍San Juan
- ATI Hostel & Beach Club (formerly Hostal del Lago) 📍San Marcos
- Bambu Guesthouse 📍Tzununa
- Maya Moon Lodge 📍Tzununa
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Where to stay in Lake Atitlan: Final thoughts
I hope this has helped in the very tough decision of where to stay in Lake Atitlan! It’s such a personal decision, and the towns that suited us may not suit you, but hopefully, you’re armed with enough info to work out which areas appeal the most to you!
You may only stay in one or two towns, but you should try and visit as many of the 11 towns of Lake Atitlan as you can during your stay. Don’t forget to also check out our post on the best things to do in Lake Atitlan for a broader summary of the top activities, and our Lake Atitlan travel guide for all the handy info you’ll need to plan a trip to the lake.
MORE LAKE ATITLAN POSTS
- Lake Atitlan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
- Lake Atitlan Itinerary: How to Spend 7, 5 or 3 Nights
- 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
The Comments
Maggie
Sally,
Your well put together blogs have been a god send as I am planning my guatemala trip! Everything is so well put together. I give you serious credit and I am so glad I found your blog, it is perfect for my type A self to plan things 🙂
I am curious for your input, we decided to split our trip on lake atitlan in different spots. We are traveling with backpacks and wanted to see if you had any concern with theft while cliff jumping/wandering the towns with your items? We booked one night in casa del mundo and the next in san pedro. We wanted to try to stop at either san marcos or san juan on the way. Again, thank you so much for your blogs!! You have a new fan in me.
Sally Rodrick
MaggieMaggie my sincerest apologies, I didn’t see this comment at the time!! I’m sure you’ve already taken your trip and I hope you had a beautiful time at the lake and Guatemala overall. I’m so glad my blogs were helpful, and again, I am SO sorry I didn’t get back to you. All the best, Sally
Dita
Do you have any suggestions on wear to stay with two teen boys?
Sally Rodrick
DitaHi Dita, my recommendation still stands – I’d spend a couple nights lakeside (Santa Cruz) where you can all enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding etc. and then a few nights somewhere busier, either Panajachel or San Pedro, where they can explore a more bustling town and make the most of the activities to do around the lake. Enjoy! Sally
Taras
Hey 🙂 There is a typo in the Santa Marcos section (it´s San Marcos). Please feel free to delete the comment afterward. Cheers!
Sally Rodrick
TarasAhh thankyou SO much Taras. I always read and edit my posts but of course I still make many mistakes! I appreciate the heads up 🙂