Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Located on the eastern corner of Lake Atitla, Panajachel is truly the entrance to the amazing towns of Lake Atitan. While many people pass through Panajachel on their way to one of the other towns, this place deserves it’s own time. Panajachel boast plenty of things to do for visitors, but it also offers a busy and active feel as locals both live and work here. Compared to towns like San Marcos, Panajachel feels alive and authentic in a good way although there are a few drawbacks that I discuss later.
If you only have one night to spend at Lake Atitlan, I would spend it here and day trip to the towns around the lake.
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How to Get to Panajachel
Panachel is easy to reach by road although the roads between here and Antigua and here and the airport can get backed up with traffic. If you are in a shuttle or car, the drive from Antigua takes about 3 hour. From Panajachel to the airport takes about 4 hours.
The main road that brings you into Panajachel is CA-1 Pan-American Highway, which connects to the local access road known as RN-1 (Sololá–Panajachel Road).
As you approach, you’ll typically come off the Pan-American Highway near Sololá and descend a winding mountain road down toward Lake Atitlán. This final stretch into Panajachel is steep, curvy, and incredibly scenic with views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes opening up as you drop in elevation.
Once you reach town, the road feeds directly into the main strip, often referred to as Santander Street, where most hotels, restaurants, and shops are located.
Most people arrive via one of these options:
Tourist Shuttle (Most Popular)
- Shared shuttles are the easiest and most common option. They run daily between Antigua, Guatemala City, and Panajachel, usually with hotel pickup included. This is a great balance of cost and convenience, especially if you don’t want to navigate the roads yourself.
- Private Driver or Rental Car Hiring a private driver gives you more flexibility with timing and stops along the way. Renting a car is possible, but be prepared for winding mountain roads, aggressive driving styles, and limited signage in some areas.
- Chicken Bus (Local Experience) For a more adventurous (and budget-friendly) option, you can take local buses, often called “chicken buses.” These require transfers and can take significantly longer, but they offer a very authentic look at daily life in Guatemala.
On our most recent visit we took a private car since we were traveling in a group with 9 other people – it was easy and fast and our driver stopped for a few photos on the way.
What to Do in Panajachel
Panajachel is the perfect jumping off point for exploring the towns around Lake Atitlan. The best thing you can do in the town is to hop on a boat and head out across the lake to one of the other towns. The boat drivers will all be yelling different towns or you can go to the boat and ask. Rides across the lake from Pana cost 25-30Q when we visited in 2026.
See a full list the different towns and what each has to offer. Here are some of the towns you can visit:
While this was our favorite thing to do during our stay, there is also plenty of other things to enjoy. Here are some of our favorites:
Take in the Views of Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán sits just south of town and is easily accessible from Panajachel’s waterfront. Spend some time walking along the lake, grabbing a coffee, or just sitting and watching the boats come and go with a backdrop of volcanoes. It’s beautiful – especially at sunset. I will say the waterfront is not as beautiful as other parts of the lake – but the lake and views are incredible.
Walk Santander Street
The main street in town, often called Santander, is where most of the action happens. You’ll find:
- Local markets and handmade goods
- Cafes and restaurants
- Street vendors and small shops
It’s touristy in spots, but it also gives you a feel for the daily rhythm of life here. We spent a while just wandering along here. I also suggest going just a few streets off this road as you’ll find people selling things that locals need, like tortillas out of the back of a convenient store.
Explore Beyond the Lake (Day Trips)
If you have more time, Panajachel also works well as a base for exploring nearby areas like:
The Highland Town of Sololá
Just a short drive above Panajachel, Sololá feels completely different from the lake towns below. Sitting high in the mountains, it offers sweeping views down over Lake Atitlán and a more traditional Guatemalan atmosphere.
If you time it right, you can visit during market days, when locals from surrounding villages come in wearing traditional clothing and selling everything from produce to textiles. It’s far less touristy than Panajachel and gives you a more authentic glimpse into everyday life in the region.
Nature Reserves & Viewpoints Above the Lake
The hills surrounding Panajachel are home to several small nature reserves and scenic overlooks that are worth the effort to reach.
- Reserva Natural Atitlán – One of the most popular nearby spots, with hanging bridges, waterfalls, and well-maintained trails through lush forest. You’ll often see coatis and monkeys along the way.
- Mirador Kaqasiiwaan – A stunning viewpoint above the lake with sweeping views of the volcanoes and surrounding villages. It’s especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.
Drive to Santa Catarina Palopo and San Antonio Palopo
While you will need to take a boat to most of the towns, there are two towns that can be reached by car just south of Pana. Santa Catarina Palopo is a colorful town known for its bright patterns and weaving, while San Antonio Palopo is known as the pottery towns.
The easiest way to get between the towns is to get into a colectivo that runs back and forth. You can get a private one or save money by getting a shared one.
Have an Adventure: Kayaking, Hiking Paragliding or ATV
You can kayak right from Panajachel and there are several tours that offer ATV or paragliding excursions. These tours are a great way to explore the region and you can find something for everyone. Most of the local tour companies list their options on Viator.
Our Take
While exploring the lake was our favorite part of visiting Panajachel, we were surprised by how much there is to do right in town. It’s busy, a little chaotic at times, but in a way that feels real, not overly polished.
Where to Stay in Panajachel
Below are a few of my top recommendations for places to stay in Panajachel but you can also see a list of the 10 top rated local hotels to give you more ideas.
High End: My top recommendation (if you can afford it) is Hotel Atitlan. Rooms are over $200 but there is a pool and incredible views right on the lake.
Medium: Villa Santa Catarina is a great option and you can often find rooms for just under $100. There is a pool and great views.
Budget: There are a number of budget options in town – our friends stayed at Hotel-Villas JABEL TINAMIT and liked it.
What we Didn’t Love
Ok – so to be honest, Panajachel is not for everyone. What felt alive might feel hectic and what felt like authentic canalso feel like too little investment in the town itself. There is trash in places and the locals can sometimes seem a little fed up with everyone.
The biggest negative is the aggressive sales people both for items on the street and to get on the boats. This is how they make a living and it is much more appropriate to haggle people here, but it can feel pretty off putting.
