Lake Atitlan & San Juan La Laguna or Santiago Boat Trip

Discover Guatemala's indigenous cultures and Mayan traditions on this day trip to San Juan La Laguna or Santiago. Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Atitlan as part of this enriching experience.

Activity Details

This journey begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Guatemala City. We'll head towards the Guatemalan Highlands, traveling in the direction of Panajachel, the largest town on the shores of Lake Atitlán.

After approximately a 3-hour drive, we will arrive in Panajachel and take a guided tour of the town. This tour will cover main tourist attractions, including Santander Street and its church. Following this, we will visit the dock for a moment to enjoy the stunning views of the lake and its surrounding volcanoes.

Next, we'll board a boat to cross Lake Atitlan, renowned for its incredible beauty. During this scenic voyage, keep an eye out for the Tolimán, Atitlán, and San Pedro volcanoes. Our guide will share various stories and legends associated with this magical region.

On our arrival at San Juan La Laguna, you'll have the opportunity to delve into the community's life by participating in handicraft workshops involving chocolate, textiles, and medicinal plants. After these enriching activities and a leisurely walk through the village, we will return by boat to Panajachel. Here, you will be able to savor a typical Guatemalan meal and enjoy some free time to explore the town at your convenience.

At the end of the day, we will make our way back to your hotel in Guatemala City, completing this excursion around 12 to 12.5 hours after we started.

Santiago Atitlán Boat Trip

When booking, there's an option to enhance your experience with a boat trip to Santiago Atitlán. If you choose this upgrade, we will navigate a bit further east of the lake to reach a town that is home to one of Guatemala's traditional symbols of unity: Maximón.

Once there, we'll stroll along the main street of Santiago, filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants. We'll visit the brotherhood of Maximón, where local believers present offerings of aguardiente and cigars. This figure is seen by some as a saint and by others as a demon—learn more about this fascinating dynamic during the visit!

After our time in Santiago Atitlán, we will sail back to Panajachel. Following our arrival, you will have free time again to enjoy a traditional lunch at your own pace.

Itinerary Adjustments

Due to organizational reasons, the order of visits described in the itinerary may vary.