Discover the Allure of Panajachel Guatemala And Fall In Love

We guide you through Panajachel Guatemala: the first stop-off at Lake Atitlan. Discover the hidden gems this beautiful lakeside town has to offer.

Take a stroll with us through the paved streets of the quaint town of Panajachel Guatemala. It’s the first stop and entrance to the ten villages that connect you to your deep dive into Lake Atitlan’s clear waters. Culture, food, and fun blend in this vibrant city teeming with Mayan and Spanish fusion. This town is surrounded by three volcanoes: Toliman, Atitlan, and San Pedro which gives it its breathing scenery.

Key Takeaways

• Locals call the town Pana, from the Kaqchikel language which translates to “place of the Matasanos”. Before you kickstart your Lake Atitlan excursion, you’ll stop by Panajachel and experience the fusion of tasteful food and fun activities.
• Spanish is a predominant language they use here so make sure to learn it to help you have a seamless experience and transaction everywhere you go.
• The best time to come to Panajachel is from November to April since you’re treated to the “spring season” almost every day of your stay.

Shopping Is A Must When You Visit Panajachel

Marketplaces are a communal thing here in Panajachel. It’s an exchange of goods and services that create bonds that last and preserve the essence of Guatemalan culture. If you truly want a piece of Panajachel to bring home, make sure to buy from the markets.

Upon entering the market, you’re greeted by the bustling noise of haggling and lively conversations. The streets are covered with beautiful and colorful huipis (blouse) and cortes (wrap skirt) that are dyed indigo. You can also see rebozos (shawls), fajas (sash), and cintas (headbands) all crafted by hand. Make sure to go to the quieter parts of the market to find authentic and unique artisanal goods.

But if you can’t find them and do end up buying at places with more expensive prices, make sure to haggle for a lower price. Ask nicely, but with a polite tone, and do it in lower to bigger increments to help you get the best price. Remember, they are making a livelihood from what they are selling you so make sure to pay them a fair price.

To help you find the best deals though, explore the markets with our in-house guides. Choose from the two most renowned markets.

WORLD FAMOUS: Chichicastenango Market

For an hour, walk around the Chichicastenango market and find the best spots to eat, buy artisanal goods, and immerse yourself in the lively streets. You’ll also get to explore a Mayan garden that contains a sculptor based on the Mayan Calendar.

THE HIDDEN GEM: Solola Market

Discover the beauty of the mountainside market 7,000 ft above Lake Atitlan. Experience a day in life in Kaqchikel Maya, the indigenous people of Guatemala. The Solola market is hidden behind a literal mountain and often overshadowed by Chichicastenango. But this enchanting market is where several Mayan tribes travel to trade food, flowers, handicrafts, textiles, and live animals.

Where are the Tasty Food Stops to Try in Panajachel?

It’s quite easy to roam around the town since at every turn, you’ll find various restaurants and outdoor activities that you’ll surely love. In this portion of the blog, we are going to enumerate the Where and How to fully maximize your stay in town!

Crossroads Café - $

This local cafe has been in town since 2000 and serves fresh local coffee for residents and visitors alike. You can roast your own coffee, try out homemade baked goods, and try out Panajachel’s coffee palette. It’s located in the heart of Panajachel itself so it’s fairly easy to find and its price range is fairly cheap with a range of Q12-25 ($1.55-3.23).

Restaurante Guajimbos - $$-$$$

Experience Urugway Style Steakhouse with this well-known restaurant. They offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options and will give you that authentic taste of top-tier Uruguayan beef and grilling experience. Depending on what you’re eating, their price range falls more on the expensive side with a Q100–150 ($12.93-19.39), but it’s worth it.

Estimated Food Expenses

Depending on whether you’re snacking on street food or three meals a day, on average, you would spend Q15 to Q150 ($1.29-$19.37). That can be categorized into meals in a restaurant, street food, and the most expensive being $19.37. The party scene is also pretty strong here so you may want to add a bit more to your budget.

Where are the Hidden Gems Near Panajachel?

Since Panajachel has been commercialized, it’s the outskirts or nearby places that give you the beauty of Guatemala. Here are two of the well-known spots you can visit to experience such:

Of course, the town has become one of the well-known commercial districts of the region so some of its natural eco-system is preserved in Atitlán’s Reserva Natural.

Gem #1 Atitlán Reserva Natural

The sound of rushing water fills your ears as you step into the sustainable natural sanctuary of Lake Atitlán’s Reserva Natural. It’s a low-montane tropical rainforest that protects 94.89% of its natural biodiversity and contains the fauna and flora of Lake Atitlan.

At the nature reserve, you can expect to see…

1. Armadillos. They often hide away in their burrow so it’s hard to spot them. But that’s mostly in the morning. At night, if you’re still up, you can catch a glimpse of them.
2. Coatis/Coatimundis/Pizote. A relative of raccoons, these cute creatures are often seen with tourists since they are quite used to the company. They also often come in groups so you’ll be flocked by a lot when you see them.
3. Spider Monkeys/Monos. These cute creatures aren’t native to the reserve but are rare enough to have a protective fence around them. You can usually see them by the tree canopies with the coatis.
4. Tacuazin/Opposums. These adorable creatures are also shy and are nocturnal. You can sometimes see their eyes glow at night along the trails.
5. Butterfly Garden (ft. Flowers). Lastly, we have one of the highlights of the reservoir. Around 1,000 butterflies are living here and each one could be one of the 12 species spotted here. A lab is also situated here dedicated to studying and reproducing the butterflies. You can sometimes spot a spotted coralroot orchid and Dickinson's lady slipper along the path.

On this kayak and zipline Guatemala excursion you'll whizz through the nature reserve via zipline and paddle your way across the world's most beautiful lake on the same day.

Gem #2 The Sacred Caves

Come to the sacred cave of San Jorge, where you’ll learn more about Mayan culture through the Fire Ceremony. It’s a cultural sharing that highlights respect. You can choose from the five (healing, protection, safe travels, cleansing of bad energy, or insight into challenges in your life) for this experience that the Shaman will pray for.

Find out more about visiting the sacred caves with Kayak Guatemala.

Where are the Best Places to Stay in Panajachel?

Selina - $$

Enjoy the scenic view of volcanoes while you co-work as well as bask in Mayan tradition and other wellness activities during your stay here. It’s one of the more well-known hotels because of its impeccable service and offerings: Free WiFi, Yoga Lessons, CoWorking Spaces, Social Events, Beachfront Bar, Library, Swimming Pool, Shared Kitchen, Live Music, Movie Room, Pet Friendly, Garden, Free Parking, and Spa.

You can choose from five different spaces: Private, Premium, Private Shared, Unique, and Shared. The latter is the best one for groups since the other four are for solo travelers or couples looking to stay in the city. The usual price of the room is $220 with amenities like hot water, towels, linen, sockets, free wifi, and 1 breakfast. This price is usually for three days.

If you opt for just the room, you get the same amenities minus the breakfast for $184.

Regis Hotel & Spa - $$$

If you opt for this hotel, you’ll be treated to a lakeside view since it’s located 500m away from the shore. You can also experience being surrounded by the luscious greens of the botanical garden and see three famous volcanoes: San Pedro, Toliman, and Atitlan.

They offer three types of rooms Standard, Deluxe and Triple. The latter is the best one for families or groups of friends with two double and one single bed, a TV with cable service, and a shower with hot water to name a few.

The facility also offers wellness activities like spas, birdwatching, canopying, and more. For dining options at the Paya Restaurant (they offer the traditional Guatemalan breakfast just for you) or Lounge Bar depending on what you’re in the mood for.

Estimated Lodging Expense

If you opt for an Airbnb, it’ll cost you around $15-$100 per night, but if you’re staying in the aforementioned hotels above, around $85 and above per night is what you need. So if you’re staying for a week, prepare around $500+ for your stay.

How to Get to Panajachel?

There are a variety of ways for you to get here aside from using public transport to travel around the city.

• Via Airport and Guatemala City. You’ll most likely come from La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. When coming from Guatemala City, you’ll have to traverse 85 miles of road coming from the Pan-America Highway. Depending on whether you use public transportation or a private car, you’ll take around 3-6 hours of travel time.
• Via Antigua. When coming from Antigua, you’ll also take around 2 hours and 11 minutes through the Pan-American Highway. Make sure to ride a shared bus like the famous “chicken buses” to get you to your destination.

Both from the airport and the cities, it’s much better to take a shuttle rather than a “chicken bus” that has multiple stops.

Estimated Transport Expense

Are you going for a short trip or a long trip, the price range is $2 to $8 or Q15 to Q60. You’d usually use a “chicken bus”, also known as camionetas, to get around as well, just be careful of possible pickpockets. You can also opt for a private car which will cost you around $25 or Q193. Or a tuk-tuk that costs around Q5 or around a dollar.

In total, per head, you should prepare around $400-$500 is the way to go if you want to fully maximize your stay in town.

Safety Pointers When You Come to Panajachel

When it comes to ensuring you’re preventing any harm that comes to you and your loved ones, here are our local tips.

Don’t bring all your cash out at once, make sure to leave some back at your lodging since there is a chance for pickpocketing like in any other city in the world.

Some shots that are required before going to Guatemala are Hepatitis A, Measles, Tetanus, and Typhoid. But these are precautionary so you can have them or not, but still better safe than sorry.

Sometimes, you aren’t sure if the water you’re about to drink for a street vendor or restaurant has gone through a filtration system so make sure you have a water bottle with you even if not on a hike to keep yourself hydrated.

Having a guide by your side while exploring Panajachel can make your vacation much more relaxing and enjoyable. With a local expert leading the way, you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty of nature trails and hidden gems without the worry of losing your way. Guides know the best routes, the most scenic spots, and can share fascinating insights about the area that you'd miss on your own. It’s like having a friend who knows all the secrets of Panajachel, allowing you to enjoy your adventure with complete peace of mind.

Best Day Trips in Panajachel Guatemala

When looking for a one-day experience to explore the town known as “the Gateway to Lake Atitlan”, here are two of the best ones you may want to try.

MOST POPULAR: Lake Atitlan Day Tour

Treat yourself to a private boat trip that explores three well-known Mayan villages: San Marcos, San Juan, and Santiago. Cliff jump, visit a local women-led weaving cooperative, or visit art galleries when you come with us to this exciting ride.

Book the Lake Atitlan #1 Day Tour here.

BEST FOR SUNRISE LOVERS: Indian Nose Sunrise Hike

Possibly our shortest hike, you’re treated to the pinkish glow of sunrise peaking between the seven volcanoes in this famous peak. It’s imbued with the beauty of Mayan culture so as you hike to the top, you learn spiritual beliefs related to the beautiful rock formation.

Book the Indian Nose Sunrise Hike here.

BEST FOR EXPLORERS: San Pedro Hike

Explore the #1 hiking expedition in Lake Atitlan. The San Pedro Volcano is dormant volcano that is completely safe to hike. It also crosses the cloud forest to reach panoramic views at the 3,020m summit of the oldest volcano in Lake Atitlan.

Book the San Pedro Hike here.

FAQs About Panajachel Answered

When is the Best Time to Visit Panajachel? 

As we said earlier, the rainy season is from May to October. Though, if you like a cooler climate as well as don’t mind getting wet from it, you can come between those months. You can also go during November or December just after the rains and in time for the holiday season.

Some festivals you may want to come over to see are:

• Semana Santa (Holy Week) since they come to life the streets are paved with alfombras (brightly colored sawdust and flowers). It’s usually celebrated in late March to early April.
• Fiesta de Santiago (Antigua Fair) is celebrated on July 25th. You’ll be able to see processions and experience folkloric dancing, music, and carnival rides
• La Fiesta Nacional Indigena de Guatemala (National Folkloric Festival) is often celebrated on July 27th. Rather than the whole of Guatemala that celebrates this, it’s mostly the Indigenous groups and you see them dancing in traditional techniques and ancestral music.

Weather in Panajachel Guatemala

This town is located in the south of Solola. It’s in the southern hemisphere of Guatemala. Much like the rest of the region, climate-wise, Panajachel Guatemala’s weather is warm and sunny all year round except for the rainy season (May to October). The town’s height is 1,562 meters above sea level and because of such weather, certain species of wildlife thrive here.

How Much Should I Budget for My Trip to Panajachel?

Now that we’ve established that the Pan American highway is the route to use wherever you're coming from to get to the town, let’s look through how much you need for the trip including lodging, food, and transport expenses!

Firstly though, the currency in Panajachel is Quetzal (Q) which is 0.13 dollars according to the exchange rate as of the publishing of this blog. Now, let’s get to the great stuff…