By Ellie Chase
Here are the best ways to explore Lake Atitlan, whether by water or land.
View of Lake Atitlan and traditional boats. Ellie Chase.
Nestled in the Guatemalan highlands of the Sierra Madre mountain range, lies the deepest lake in Central America. With a maximum depth of 1,120 feet and covering roughly 50 square miles, Lake Atitlan is a must-see. Beyond its wide blue waters nestled between volcanoes, Atitlan is lined with beautiful villages boasting traditional Maya culture. After spending a few days in Antigua, Atitlan was the next stop on my trip to Guatemala.
There are 11 villages around the lake, two of which are only accessible by boat, while the rest are connected by tiny, winding streets busy with egregious drivers. However, the challenge of reaching each of the villages and lake access points only adds to the experience.
Here are my tips for how to use all of the transportation options Atitlan has to offer to make the most of your trip.
Boat
A lone boatman crosses the waters of Lake Atitlan. Eduardo Marin. Pexels.
Atitlan comes from the Nahuatl, meaning “between the waters,” so naturally, watercraft is a good place to start. Atitlan offers water taxis, private boats and boat tours to allow visitors to explore all parts of the lake.
Water taxis are the cheapest option, running throughout the day and connecting towns on a routine schedule. They also give you the opportunity to commute with the locals, offering a more authentic glimpse into daily life at the lake. The downside of using the taxis is that every ride includes a fare, meaning that if you want to visit multiple lakeside villages in one day, you will have to pay numerous fares. Because of this and my limited time, I opted for a boat tour so that I was able to pay one fare for the trip to several villages.
I used a local tour affiliated with the hotel I stayed at and visited San Juan, Santiago and San Pedro. Though slightly touristy at times, I loved having the ability to visit so many villages and see so much in one day. I especially appreciated this company for highlighting many local businesses that travelers might fail to notice, whisking us down a back alley to an empowering women’s textile cooperative and up to a rooftop to smash cacao for chocolate rum.
San Juan is one of the more popular villages to visit, and my favorite out of the ones I explored. It is bursting with color, immediately immersing travelers in a main street of brightly painted buildings and fluorescent umbrellas dangling from above. Like most of the villages, it is famous for its vibrant artisan community, along with being the home of a native stingless bee. I was so glad that I was able to see it with ease on a boat ride.
Not only are the boat rides efficient, but they also offer an unobstructed view of the lake and surrounding volcanoes that you can’t get from land. The panoramic views make the journey a part of the experience.
Tuk-Tuk
San Juan tuk-tuk drives down a cobblestone street. Mario Spencer. Unsplash.
Traveling by tuk-tuk quickly and surprisingly became my favorite way to get around Lake Atitlan.
There are hundreds of independently owned and operated tuk-tuks serving the lake’s communities. These vibrant red three-seater vehicles are perfect for navigating the steep, winding streets of each village and provide a hilarious, fast-paced experience for every visitor.
Using the tuk-tuks is a true local experience, as they are a common part of daily life in the area. Most drivers speak Spanish as well as various Mayan languages, so it offers an incredible opportunity to practice any of the native languages as you travel from place to place. The fares are incredibly affordable, and the tuk-tuks are so common that you rarely have to wait more than a few minutes for a ride.
Many drivers also offer tuk-tuk tours. Usually lasting one to two hours, the driver will pick you up from where you are staying and drive you through a village, stopping often to enjoy a view or walk around an area. These tours are incredible because you are able to have a one-on-one experience with a knowledgeable local who shows you the less touristy side of every destination for an exceptionally low price.
I would also recommend getting the WhatsApp number of a driver who you like and offers good fares. I used the same driver for the whole trip, and it was so helpful to be able to text and ask for a ride in any area.
On Foot
View of Santa Catarina Palopo from a lookout. Ellie Chase.
Exploring on foot is an unparalleled way to experience the quaint villages on your own two feet. While a boat or tuk-tuk may be required to reach each town, spending time walking through each narrow street and exploring every local business is key to getting the full experience.
There are tons of street vendors and shops in every village. Bartering is received differently depending on the village; in some places, it is expected, and in others, frowned upon, so it’s a good idea to ask a guide or local for the best practice. Vendors can be pretty persistent but often sell beautiful one-of-a-kind items like jewelry or hand-woven textiles.
One of my favorite things about wandering the villages was the beautiful pottery. There are countless pottery shops with stunning work decorated in the vibrant colors that Guatemala is known for. The shops are family-run, and the pottery is handmade, inspired by traditional Mayan designs and influenced by the blue colors of Lake Atitlan.
Many of the villages also have lake access points reachable only by foot. There are many beautiful docks and small beaches that offer stunning views and swimming areas. Swimming is very popular in the lake, but be aware that the water quality varies by area, and waste runoff can pollute areas near larger villages.
Getting a taste of local life, businesses and cuisine is impossible without wandering the cobblestone streets at your own pace.
Ellie Chase
Ellie is a second-year journalism student at the University of Colorado Boulder. She loves to travel and has visited 29 countries. When she's not in class or booking her next trip, Ellie likes going rock climbing or bagging another Colorado 14ner. She hopes to be able to combine her love of travel and her love of storytelling to report on stories across the world.