Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Itinerary Jan 2024

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Itinerary Jan 2024 

Panajachel, Lake Atitlan


ITINERARY: FOR HI RESOLUTION ITINERARY AND LINKS TO TOURS WE TOOK CLICK HERE: Itinerary for Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

PHOTOS: MPTravels27 Instagram for Lake Atitlan Pictures

DAY 7, 8, 9, 10 OF 10 DAY TRIP TO GUATEMALA


AIRPORTS: There are two international airports in Guatemala: GUA & FRS
  • Guatemala City (GUA) Airport: small airport. Long walk from plane to customs (uphill & downhill). Customs very fast. Has free WiFi throughout airport.
  • Flores (FRS) Airport "Mundo Maya Intl Airport": Only one baggage claim. Tiny airport. Small café. Find more information on TAG airlines or visiting Tikal/Flores click here: Tikal/Flores Itinerary
FLIGHTS:
  • We used American Airlines to/from Guatemala City 
    • Going to Guatemala City from USA, no issues with luggage 
    • In Guatemala City returning back to the USA, they did check our carry on luggage in the sizer. They did not check weight of carry on bags 
  • We took TAG airlines from Guatemala City --> Flores --> Guatemala city to visit Tikal. Find more information on TAG airlines or visiting Tikal/Flores click here: Tikal/Flores Itinerary
TRANSPORTATION: 
  • Private Transportation: We booked a private transportation through Due South Travels from Antigua to Panajachel ($95 usd) and Panajachel to our hotel in Guatemala City ($125 usd). We had a very tight schedule, so wanted to use private drivers. 
  • Tuk-Tuk: Easy way to get around Panajachel. They charge per person traveling. Make sure to confirm the price before using the tuk-tuk.
    •  If you don't understand Spanish, open your calculator app and the driver will write out the cost of the trip. 
  • Uber:  available around Panajachel, but unsure about elsewhere around the lake. We didn't need to use it, so unsure if it works well or not.
  • Lancha (boats): Easiest and best way to get around the lake! We didn't get a private/public boat except for when we went on tours. One of our tours, we used a collective (public) boat back and saw that it was $25Q one-way per person to get around the lake.
    • In Panajachel, the ferry location was called Embarcadero Ferris Colectivos. This is where we got off the public boat and both of our tours started from here.
    • It gets cold on the boats - make sure to take a jacket. May get wet on the boat, but can roll down the plastic "windows." Also, it is a little bit difficult to navigate when on the boats as you have to "crawl" sometimes to your seat

Public Lancha (Boat)

Public Lancha (Boat)

HOTEL:  We stayed in Panajachel because it was easy to get to everything/take tours from. If looking to relax & not tours, we recommend staying somewhere other than Panajachel such as Casa Del Mundo in Jabailtio or any of the beautiful Eco Lodges. We stayed at Porta Del Lago hotel which was good.

Porta Del Lago Hotel 

PAYMENT METHODS: 
  • Cash: Recommend bringing $100 USD worth of Guatemalan Quetzals in small bills. 
    • We exchanged cash before leaving to Guatemala through Bank of America. For money change, be sure to complete at least 2 weeks before trip to ensure the bank can get Guatemalan Quetzals in time. 
    • Use for Tuk-tuks, pubic/private lanchas (boats), local stores to buy water bottles & tip for tour guides/drivers. All restaurants/coffee shops that we visited took credit card. 
  • Credit Cards: Some tour companies charge 2-4% additional for using credit card instead of cash
    •  Only use credit cards with 0% foreign transaction fee
    • Tip: we got a better conversion rate charging in USD instead of Quetzals (opposite than most countries we have visited) 
SAFETY: Emergency phone number is 123 for Ambulance and 110 for police 
  • Avoid anyone who comes up too close to you or offers candy. Say no and walk away. don't give reason for someone to target you. Ex. Don't hold your phone out taking photos/google maps without having a firm grip on your phone, no expensive jewelry etc.
  • Belt bag - We wore a "belt purse" over one shoulder across chest to keep money / cell phone close
  • We felt extremely safe and did not have any issues. Locals are helpful and friendly especially in touristy areas.
WHAT TO PACK: 
  • Bug spray, SPF Chapstick, bottled water, sunscreen, hat & polarized sunglasses is a MUST
  • Print color copies of passport to carry in wallet (just in case)
  • No converter needed coming from the USA
  • Very comfortable & well-supported shoes 
    • Panajachel does have a lot of uneven sidewalks. 
  • Reusable waterbottle - can only fill up with bottled water only 
  • Clothing: bring a jacket for the lancha (boat) rides and for use at night
  • Headlight if going for the sunrise Indian Nose Hike. We brought clip-on lights. 
Clip on light we used from Amazon

COMMUNICATION: 
  • If possible, try to learn basic Spanish phrases
    • We recommended to download Google Translate App to help with translations 
    • use your Calculator App when confirming the price and always confirm the price before taking any tuk tuk or tour 
  • Download WhatsApp App to communicate with tour guide/groups/hotels: This is the main way we communicated with any shuttle/tour/hotels etc. 
  • We activated the international AT&T plan ($10 usd/day) for one smartphone. The other smartphone, we just used for photos. But, we have heard of buying a sim card in Guatemala and activating in an unlocked phone for a less expensive option
  • There is definitely a "Tourist - tax" - things cost more because you're a tourist compared to a local. If comfortable, feel free to bargain.
RANDOM TIPS: 
  • In bathrooms, you may have to grab toilet paper before entering the stalls and throw into the trashcan, not the toilet. 
  • Download Google maps offline for any city you will be visiting
  • If possible, avoid visiting any major tourist attraction on weekends / holidays due to heavy crowds. Morning & weekdays are much better to visit. 
  • BOTTLED WATER only - brush your teeth with bottled water as well
    • You can purchase bottled water from any Tienda (Store) - regulated pricing and very affordable 
VEGETARIAN/VEGAN FOOD: 
  • There are vegetarian/vegan food options in Panajachel. We ate at Humaya Restaurant (mayan flavors -- highly recommend!!) and Deli Jasmin (good vegetarian food, but nothing stands out)

Humaya Restaurant

Humaya Restaurant

Deli Jasmin


OUR RECOMMENDATIONS: 

(1) Three Village Tour (San Antonio, Santiago, San Juan): The best tour we did in all of Guatemala! It was so interesting to learn about the Mayan culture. We could have visited these villages on our own; however, this was much more convenient and organized. Highly highly highly recommend!! We did this through Due South Travels travel agency which booked the tour through Magic Travel Agency.

San Antonio Polopo

San Antonio Polopo

Mayan Ceramic Workshop in San Antonio Polopo

Santiago Village: Mayan and Catholic culture
Fun Fact: This catholic church is built on Mayan Temples (like the ones in Tikal)

San Juan Village

San Juan: Mayan women's weaving Co-op 

(2) Mayan Face Hike at Sunrise: This hike was absolutely beautiful!! Due to staying in Panajachel - it was more expensive and difficult to get to the start of the hike in the AM. In retrospect, we recommend staying in San Pedro or San Juan the night before this hike. Or, to use a different tour company from Panajachel.

Mayan Face 

Sunrise at Mayan Face Hike 

Sunrise at Mayan Face Hike 

Sunrise at Mayan Face Hike 

Location: Panajachel, Guatemala

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