Print this trip dossier
Cookie Policy

Journey Latin America asks you to accept cookies for performance and social media purposes. We use cookies on our website to personalise content, evaluate website traffic and enhance performance. You can delete or restrict cookies via your web browser. To get more information about these cookies and the processing of your personal data see our Cookie Policy. Do you accept these cookies and the processing of personal data involved? Find out more


Follow us
Open now 03098589426
03098589426 Search

Home

Destinations

Guatemala

Places to visit

Lake Atitlan and villages

  • Share

Looking for our address or phone number?

Full contact details Close

Guatemala: Lake Atitlan and villages

Visit Us

In turn cobalt glassy-clear and silver misty, mirror-calm and wispy-waved, Atitlán is one of the most captivating lakes in the world. Many visitors linger here, and the shores are dotted with international communities as well as traditional Mayan villages. The lake is fringed by tiny fields where smallholders cultivate kitchen garden crops on fertile soils, beyond which are fuming green volcanoes which cast ever-changing shadows over the water. Lakeside settlements, most easily reached by boat across the water, are enlivened with textile markets, each with its own costume and character: Sololá and Santiago de Atitlán are among the largest and most interesting.

Our holidays to Lake Atitlan and villages

View all holidays
Tikal, Guatemala

Tropicbird: Highlights of Central America

Group tour

19 days from £3,838pp

easter in antigua

Easter in Guatemala: Semana Santa

Private journey

8 days from £1,879pp

atitlan

Signature Guatemala and Belize: Culture and Caribbean

Private journey

15 days from £3,237pp

Guatemalan Souvenirs

Signature Guatemala: Mountains, markets and Mayan ruins

Private journey

12 days from £2,283pp

Things to do in Lake Atitlan and villages

Sololá Highland Market

Visit Solola highland market

Fish with Locals on Lake Atitlán

Fish with local fishermen on Lake Atitlan


Go Kayaking on Lake Atitlan

Go kayaking on Lake Atitlan

Mountain Bike around Lake Atitlán

Mountain bike around Lake Atitlan

Our insider tips for Lake Atitlan and villages

Hannah

Hannah Donaldson

Meeting Maximón, a Mayan deity who enjoys smoking and copious drinking. His wooden effigy is carried around Santiago de Atitlán town every year and he ends up staying in the home of a local family where you can pay him to solve your problems.


Margot

Margot Chard

Wandering round Santa Catarina Palopó, a picturesque village with stone-flagged lanes and adobe cottages hung with bright textiles where keen family vendors vie for your custom.


Rafe Stone

Rafe Stone

Travelling by boat on the lake. In the early morning it should be accompanied by an ethereal calm while if the wind gets up later in the day it is more of a nautical experience on choppy waters.

Lina

Lina Fuller

If you fancy a pizza or some pancakes with a few cool beers, you can choose one of the many eateries in the laid-back (and a bit tacky) tourist resort and back-packer hang out of Panajachel.

What our experts say

I’ll never forget the peace and serenity of all the still water surrounded by volcanoes and small villages. I loved waking up to splendid views of the lake and going for long leisurely walks or taking a small boat to one of the numerous hamlets dotted around the lake – it was like a detox from the stresses and strains of busy working life.

Margot

Margot Chard

Travel Consultants

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Lake Atitlan and villages | Rating: Excellent

The Atitlan trip was excellent.

JB, Surbiton | October 2012 | With Partner

Lake Atitlan and villages | Rating: Excellent

Most memorable experience: “The wonderful atmosphere in Antigua and the breathtaking views of Lake Atitlan.”

RMH, Marlborough | July 2012 | 65 and over | Solo Traveller

Lake Atitlan and villages | Rating: Excellent

The Atitlan trip was excellent.

JB, Surbiton | June 2012

Lake Atitlan and villages | Rating: Excellent

I loved seeing the tribal clothing and textiles and markets and scenery around Lake Atitlan.

CR, USA | June 2012

Lake Atitlan and villages | Rating: Excellent

So many memories, I think I have to say Lake Atitlán was the highlight.

KW, Hertford | June 2012

Lake Atitlan and villages | Rating: Excellent

Highlights:- So many memories, I think I have to say Lake Atitlan. 

KW | April 2011 | 35 - 50 | With Friends

Lake Atitlan and villages | Rating: Excellent

Most memorable experience: “I loved the hotels in Antigua, especially  loved seeing the tribal clothing and textiles and markets and scenery around Lake Atitlan”

CR, USA | January 0001

Feefo - Platinum Trusted Service 2020

Tailor-made holiday

Speak to an expert Travel Consultant or send us your enquiry today.

Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for over 37 years.
We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

Design my trip
03098589426

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Feefo - Platinum Trusted Service 2020

Articles you may like

Browse our inspiration area of the site. It's packed with insider travel tips, Top5s, competitions, events, recipes and holiday ideas for Central and South America sure to whet your travel appetite.

Expert's Guide to Guatemala

Lake Atitlan Guatemala

Easter in Latin America?

Semana Santa

Tom Parrott visits the Onil Stove Pro...

Onil Stove Project Team

History and heritage

Antigua Guatemala
More inspiration
 

Journey with the UK's NO1 specialist in travel to latin america

 
Meet Our Specialist

Carrie Gallagher, Travel Consultants

A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Escorted Groups team.
 

We love latin america

A passion for the region runs through all we do

All our Consultants have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America

Up-to-the-minute knowledge underpinned by 40 years' experience

 

travel with confidence

Fully bonded and licensed

ATOL-protected

On your side when it matters

Book with confidence, knowing every penny is secure

The real latin america

Our insider knowledge helps you go beyond the guidebooks

We hand-pick hotels with character and the most rewarding excursions

Let us show you the Latin America we know and love

Travel Marketing Awards Travel Marketing Awards  Food and Travel 2016 Awards Good Web Guide Awards Wanderlust

Feefo - Platinum Trusted Service 2020

British Travel Awards - Best Tour Operator to Central and South America 2019

Selling Travel - Best Tour Operator to Latin America and the Caribbean 2019

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards - Top Ten Specialist Tour Operator 2019

Feefo - Gold Trusted Service 2018

CIM - Travel Marketing Awards for Best Website 2017

Food and Travel Magazine Readers' Awards - Tour Operator of The Year 2017

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards - Top Ten Specialist Tour Operator 2017

Selling Travel Agents Choice Awards - Best Tour Operator to Latin America 2017

Food and Travel Magazine Readers' Awards - Tour Operator of The Year 2016

Sign up to our newsletter

Sign up to our twice monthly newsletter and be the first to know about our latest news, offer and competitions.

Thank you for sign up

Error for sign up

Share this Page

Social share page will open in new window

Send a friend

reCaptcha_try_again

Page Full Path: /sitecore/content/JLA/Home/destinations/guatemala/places-to-visit/lake-atitlan-and-villages

Page ID: {40DCFFD8-2B05-4EA1-AD3D-2BF7551E2C20}

Page Name: lake-atitlan-and-villages

Page Display Name: Lake Atitlan and villages

Page Template Name: T003-Destination-Place

Page Template ID: {8C284EC8-C1AD-40A3-AAE2-4B0E542D5D05}

Parent ID: {40A93D76-E27F-4AC3-BE9E-1B5ED989197C}

Parent Name: places-to-visit

Parent Display Name: Places to visit

Parent Template Name: T005-PlacesToVisit

Parent Template ID: {509C1794-DF40-48BC-9CE0-C076B1945D40}