Discover Guatemala's indigenous cultures and Mayan traditions on this day trip to San Juan La Laguna or Santiago. We'll also enjoy a boat ride on Lake Atitlan.
Activity Details
Having picked you up from your hotel in Guatemala City in the morning, we'll set off towards the Guatemalan Highlands. We'll travel toward Panajachel, the largest town on the shores of Lake Atitlán, one of the most picturesque and touristic areas of the country.
After almost 3 hours on the road, we'll arrive in Panajachel. Depending on traffic and the weather, you might have some free time to explore Santander Street in Panajachel, a street known for its handicrafts and souvenirs.
After, we'll head straight to the pier, where we'll board a boat to cross Lake Atitlán, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. During the crossing, you'll take in the Tolimán, Atitlán, and San Pedro volcanoes. We'll also share all the stories and curiosities of the area along the way.
We'll disembark in San Juan La Laguna, one of the most famous settlements in the area. There, you'll be able to learn about the life of the community by participating in different handicraft workshops working with chocolate, textiles, and medicinal plants. After participating in these workshops and strolling through the streets of this picturesque village, we'll return by boat to Panajachel. Here you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a typical Guatemalan meal, as well as free time to explore the town at your own pace.Sometimes, the free time for lunch may take place in Panajachel rather than in San Juan la Laguna.
We'll then make the return journey to hotels in Guatemala City after around 12 to 12.5 hours.
Santiago Atitlán Boat Trip
During the booking process, you can upgrade your experience to include a boat trip to Santiago Atitlán. In this case, when taking the boat, we'll head a little further east of the lake towards the town where one of the most traditional figures of unity in Guatemala is located: Maximón.
There, we'll walk along the main street of Santiago, where we'll see countless stores, cafés, and restaurants. We'll reach the center, where we'll visit the brotherhood of Maximón, where we'll see how the local believers give him offerings with aguardiente and cigars. Did you know that for some he is a saint, and for others he is a demon? We'll find out why!
After the visit to Santiago Atitlán, we will sail back to Panajachel. There, you'll have free time to enjoy a traditional lunch at your own pace. Enjoy!
Itinerary Adjustments
Please note that, due to organizational reasons, the order of the visits described in the itinerary may vary.
