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Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
Explore three iconic Mayan villages of Lake Atitlan in one day (San Marcos, San Juan and Santiago), crossing the lake by boat surrounded by volcanoes.
We leave early on purpose: in the morning the lake is calm, boat rides are smoother and the light is perfect for photos. After breakfast in Panajachel (on your own), we visit bohemian San Marcos La Laguna. In San Juan La Laguna you'll walk its colorful streets and join two hands-on experiences with local families: a Mayan bee tour with honey tasting, and a cotton spinning, natural dye and weaving demo. Then choose a cacao tour or free time. We finish in Santiago Atitlan, the largest village on the lake, with lunch (on your own) and its living Mayan traditions.
Your safety comes first: if the lake is unsafe for boats, we switch to a road route visiting Santa Catarina Palopo, San Antonio Palopo and Panajachel.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We pick up all travelers at the motor lobby of their hotel or accommodation in Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala
Itinerary
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1Guatemala City
Early pickup at your hotel in Guatemala City (around 4:30 am) or Antigua Guatemala (around 5:30 am). We leave early on purpose: in the morning Lake Atitlan is calm, boat rides are smoother and the light is perfect for photos. Sit back, relax or take a nap while the scenery changes from the city to farmland and volcano views. Please note the road to the lake has many curves; if you get motion sickness, we recommend taking medicine before the trip.
3 hours • Admission ticket free -
2Panajachel
We arrive in Panajachel, the main gateway to Lake Atitlan, where you'll have time for breakfast (on your own) with lake and volcano views. After breakfast, we board our water taxi to start the journey across the lake to the Mayan villages.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3San Marcos La Laguna
Our first village is San Marcos La Laguna, reached by a scenic boat ride across the lake. Known for its peaceful, bohemian atmosphere and its connection with nature, San Marcos is the perfect place to stretch your legs, stroll its quiet paths among gardens and lakeside spots, and take spectacular photos of the volcanoes.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4San Juan la Laguna
A short boat ride takes us to San Juan La Laguna, one of the most colorful villages on the lake. We'll walk its famous streets: the colorful streets, the murals street, the hats street and the umbrellas street. Then you'll join two hands-on experiences led by local families: a Mayan bee tour with honey tasting, and a cotton tour where you'll see how cotton is spun, dyed with natural dyes and woven on traditional looms. At the end, you choose: a cacao tour or free time to explore and shop for local crafts.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Santiago Atitlan
Our last village is Santiago Atitlan, the largest Mayan town on the lake, set between the Toliman and Atitlan volcanoes. Here you'll have lunch (on your own) and discover its living Tz'utujil traditions, colorful streets, local market and historic church, getting a real glimpse of daily life in a Mayan community. Afterwards, we take the boat back to Panajachel (approx. 40 minutes) to meet our vehicle.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
6Guatemala City
From Panajachel we drive back and drop you off at your hotel. Approximate arrival times: Antigua Guatemala around 7:00 pm and Guatemala City around 8:00 pm, depending on traffic. Relax or take a nap on the way back after a full day on the lake.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please note that the water taxi transfer can be a bit bumpy due to the movement of the lake waves. It is very likely that the boat will jump up and down, but don't worry, our pilots are highly professional and have years of experience. In addition, you will have life jackets at your disposal. Your safety is a priority for us.
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please note that the water taxi transfer can be a bit bumpy due to the movement of the lake waves. It is very likely that the boat will jump up and down, but don't worry, our pilots are highly professional and have years of experience. In addition, you will have life jackets at your disposal. Your safety is a priority for us.
- If you choose the shared option, please note that we pick up all guests from their hotels, which may occasionally cause slight delays. Thank you for being ready on time and for your understanding. Your comfort and happiness are our top priorities.
- During Holy Week, the Flower Festival, or other events when streets in Antigua close, guests may need to walk a short distance outside the city center to start the tour.
- Weather plan B: if lake conditions are unsafe for boats, the tour switches to a road route visiting Santa Catarina Palopo, San Antonio Palopo and Panajachel. This decision is made for your safety on the day of the tour.
- Shared tours run daily from Guatemala City, with a stop in Antigua Guatemala to pick up more travelers. If fewer than 4 travelers are booked on your date, an additional private-transportation fee may apply; we will contact you in advance.
- This is a full-day tour with an early start: pickup around 4:30 am in Guatemala City and 5:30 am in Antigua. Breakfast (Panajachel) and lunch (Santiago Atitlan) are on your own; bring cash in quetzales.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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