Guatemala · LAKE ATITLáN TOURS
The lake is a caldera with a dozen villages around its edge and no road worth using between most of them. These 15 cover the village boat circuits, the day trips from Antigua and the kayak and sunrise runs, with prices and how long each one really takes.
See Lake Atitlán from Antigua in one long day, with village visits, a private boat, Mayan culture, breakfast, and bilingual guides.
“Really enjoyed the tour and had the chance to see some beautiful places. Kevin, our guide, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I hope he gets the chance to see the Bulls play in Chicago someday!”
Review of a $53 two-day Acatenango hike from Antigua, with Fuego eruptions, sunrise views, meals, camping, costs, and practical tips.
“Abner was really the best guide you could ask for. Very patient and informative. The views were worth every step of the way. (The food wasn’t my favorite so I would recommend bringing extra snacks.)”
Explore Lake Atitlán from Antigua on a full-day tour through four villages, with shared transport, boat rides, local crafts, and Mayan culture.
“This was an all day tour that was well worth it. Such beautiful places and the people. The tour guides are all well organized and very knowledgeable about the area and history. Will definitely recommend.”
Review of the $20 shared shuttle between Antigua and Panajachel, with pickup details, comfort tips, timing, value, and honest drawbacks.
“For a shared shuttle, the experience was likely typical- meaning you will be at the mercy of limited pick up times, traffic, other travelers, and the driver. Some travelers had to exchange to another vehicle with minimal communication from the initial driver. If traveling with 3 or more people, consider private if able.”
Review of the Lake Atitlán cruise from Antigua, with volcano views, Maya villages, boat transport, shopping, costs, and practical tips.
“If you are looking for a private tour that is highly scheduled without free time to explore on your own or choose your own restaurants, this is a good choice for you. We were disappointed as that is not the experience we were looking for and the tour did not match the description. Here are a few examples: 1. We did not know it was a private tour, as that was not clearly labeled in the description on the website. The guide and driver picked us up and we were confused about why it was just us. 2. The description states we would go to Santiago de Atitlán. We were…”
Review of the 12-hour Lake Atitlán cruise from Antigua or Guatemala City, with Maya villages, volcano views, Maximon, markets, and practical tips.
“I was the only person on my trip and therefore I was not provided with an English-speaking guide. I was travelling in a private vehicle and had a box to myself which was an advantage in terms of comfort but possibly detracted from the experience of meeting other travellers. My trip was scheduled to last 12 hours however it only lasted for nine. I feel that I have missed out on information that a local English speaking guide would have been able to give me about the village that I visited. The trip was extremely expensive and I subsequently found out that I could have visited three villages for a…”
Review of Lake Atitlán’s boat cruise from Guatemala City, with volcano views, Santiago, Panajachel, guide advice, costs, and travel tips.
“The views of the lake was nice. The ride to the lake was very long. We did not expect to be in a van for over 8 hours. I would not recommend this tour if you have back problems or don’t like bumpy roads. We would not book it again.”
Review of the Lake Atitlan day tour from Guatemala City or Antigua, with boat rides, Mayan workshops, guides, costs, timing, and practical tips.
“I gave this 3 stars because of the views. The itinerary states, "we will participate in 3 cultural workshops: One of the natural dyeing of textiles, one of the medicinal herbs used by the indigenous people, and a chocolate workshop." We only did the first one. Also I requested an English speaking guide in my booking. 5% of the tour was in English. I did reach out to the company via What's app, however nothing changed. I also stated how we didn't follow the itinerary according to the description. The guide truly did what he wanted to do. I basically paid $300 for a bus ride. We were supposed to…”
Review of Panajachel’s 4-hour Lake Atitlan ATV tour, with village visits, coffee grinding, ceramics, chocolate, guides, value, and practical tips.
“Pedro was an amazing guide. He was very knowledgeable and made the tour fun.”
Review of Guatemala’s Chichicastenango market and Lake Atitlan tour from Antigua, with itinerary, value, guide tips, and practical advice.
“Information says that they will pick you up but they don't, the day before they tell you that you need to be in their office for the tour. Besides that, great tour guide”
Review of the full-day Lake Atitlan tour from Antigua, with boat rides, tuk tuk travel, Mayan towns, costs, tips, and honest drawbacks.
“Nelson was wonderful, super professional, and courteous. We stopped for breakfast along our way from Antigua to Atitlan where he shared history and background about the cultures along the route. Definitely worth it !”
Review of the 14-hour Lake Atitlan tour from Guatemala City, with Mayan villages, boat rides, weaving, Maximon, breakfast, and practical advice.
“It was a wonderful tour of Lake Atitlan. Ask for Joel, he's great and really knowledgeable. My family and I had a blast and would like to do it again.”
Review of the Lake Atitlán Mayan villages tour from Antigua, with San Juan, San Pedro, Santiago, boat travel, costs, and practical tips.
“El servicio y amabilidad de nuestra guía Breda María. Muchacha muy servicial y agradable que nos ofreció información y tuvo la paciencia y buen servicio en el tiempo estipulado. Muy agradecidos con ella, es una guía 10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Visit Lake Atitlan’s sacred Maya caves, join a fire ceremony, hike to Eagle Rock and a waterfall, and learn the Maya calendar.
“Alex was a really fantastic guide and just a great person all around. You can tell how loved he is by his community. I didn’t realize we would have our own private ceremony. I honestly just thought that we’d be lucky if we got to witness someone having their own and maybe we could learn about it. It was really incredible, a favorite experience of our whole time in Guatemala.”
See Chichicastenango Market, Santo Tomás Church, and Lake Atitlán on a full-day small-group tour from Guatemala City or Antigua.
“I did not sign up to be squished into a very uncomfortable van for over 10 hours and being driven around like cattle. The excursion lasted over 13 hours and we were walking/outside the van for maybe three of those hours. The guide barely talked the entire tour and the driver had a terrible attitude. I was made to drive to another hotel for pick up and later found out that another person staying at my same hotel was picked up there. I overall DO NOT recommend.”
Pick a volcano, a ruin or a market.
