how to get from lake atitlan to antigua

More so than other airlines, or is it just me getting older? The plane smelled, boarding was a nightmare because too many people had big bags. Youre almost there! It's less crowded than taking a chicken bus. ", "Outstanding service, comfort, food, entertainment options May have been best experience ever flying", "SAS has offered great service on two flights this past week. Chances are, youll be absolutely fine, and there is a higher likelihood of this by doing the hike with a guide. For choices in Panajachel, Hotel Atitlan is a good high end option as is Porta Hotel del Lago. As is the case in most of Latin America, in Guatemala the next party or fiesta is always just around the corner. Panajachel: Gateway to Stunning Lake Atitlan. How To Get From Guatemala Airport To Lake Atitlan Best Way day 3: shuttle to Flores. An announcement had been madd that vags would be collected, but obviously were not. Or, if you are interested the less touristy side of the Lake Atitln highlands but arent so sure about the bus part, you can opt for the village and culture tour out of Panajachel. Youll also find that many of the hotels and hostels in Quetzaltenango recommend Monte Verde Tours. Casa del Mundo is a nice mid-range hotel about a 15-minute walk out of Jaibalito. If you buy something through the links on this page, youre helping me pay for my next adventurethank you for clicking! Note that you no longer need to stop at a Guatemala border post, and get back on the collectivo to Honduras, it is now a single border office. Jaibalito is a very small town between San Marcos and Santa Cruz that is only accessible by boat or by foot. Sometimes even things they really dont need, and maybe barely even want. Our guide, Feliz, cooked us a delicious dinner inside the room of our homestay. As we mentioned, Aldous Huxley, the author of Brave New World, called it the most beautiful lake in the world and then took it one step further by comparing it to Lake Como in Italy by saying Como touches the limit of the permissibly picturesque but Lake Atitlan is Como with the additional embellishment of several immense volcanoes. You can combine several of these activities by signing up for the Atitln Bike and Kayak Adventure Tour which gives you a chance to experience the wilder side of the lake away from the tourist shops and restaurants. There are no direct flights connecting Atlanta to Prague. The sunrise over Lake Atitlan at Indian Nose is a highlight of the Xela to Lake Atitlan hike. There are many different ways to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan, but for the best value-for-money option, a shared shuttle transport is the best option. Its known for being nearly vertical, as the town is built up the extremely steep hillside. It has been hosting tourists longer than any other village on the lake, has a long shopping street, a pretty lakeshore and even some adrenaline options like ziplines and paragliding. San Pedro, in particular, is known for its massiveand very loud Good Friday procession. I came here for breakfast, and the food was delicious and the views were amazing! Cost: $4.50 AU (25 GTQ pp). After visiting all the places with yoga retreats on the lake to research that guide Laynnis favourite was Doron Yoga. Youll initially trek by farmland, and then ascend to the first mirador. Accommodation in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan. Travel through Panajachel. We have found that Lake Atitlan is safe to swim in so long as there are no algae blooms. Try to get there in the morning as things tend to start packing up by lunch. Travel time is 3 hours, and cost is $95 total. For a more comprehensive hiking gear list, check out our66 Travel Accessories That You Must Travel With. Day Trips from Antigua Antigua to Guatemala City Antigua to Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitln) Antigua to Panajachel Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises Cruises & Sailing How to Get Around Private and Luxury Despite San Pedro Sulas reputation, the bus station was actually fairly modern and clean looked more like a suburban mall than a typical Central America bus station. Be sure to check out LaCasa del Mundo (a lakefront hotel and restaurant) located in Jaibalito along the footpath towards Santa Cruz. I selected 45C and was assigned 54 E Upon check-in. We paid 900Q for 4 people for a boat from 9:30 to 4pm to give an idea. You can also rent a car and drive yourself, but as always, parking is tricky, and if you want to explore other areas on the lake you will have to find a place to park in Panajachel and jump on a boat. There are definitely some hiking essentials that youll want for the Xela to Lake Atitlan hike. Like everywhere in Guatemala, you cannot drink the tap water at Lake Atitlan. USD 42. You can also buy Mayan crafts here. High season is considered to be May, June and July. 2 hours). We are rarely overcharged on these buses and they always eventually make change even if you only have big bills (quetzales only though). Are you planning other hikes in Central America? ", "SAS is excellent in terms of comfort and professionalism and care from the crew. The people around Lake Atitlan still stick to most of their Mayan traditions and culture. ", "There isn't a lot of room in front of seats to place personal items. We can highly recommend Spanish Classes with Rebeca, an excellent teacher who has provided private lessons to us and several others at Pasaj-Cap over the last few years. Beck, Ben and I decided to check out the town a little more, visiting the markets and picking up ice cream. James found a taco vendor just outside the bus stop so we also managed to get some lunch. It also has some outstanding viewpoints and one of the best swimming areas on the lake. We are hiking enthusiasts, so you'll find plenty of awesome hiking content. Starting from Xecam (approx. How long you're in the van depends whether you're picked up first or last, as it could take half an hour or more for the driver to pick up all the passengers. There are options to go to either Panajachel or San Pedro La Laguna in Lake Atitlan. Hotel Utz Jay is a great value choice. This is only Q35 (about $4.50) each way. The men, unsurprisingly, seem less concerned, most wearing jeans and t-shirts (sometimes button-up shirts). It is definitely the next big thing on Lake Atitlan. If you are staying elsewhere on the lake, chances are you will have to pass through Panajachel first. Or even a crappy book, because who are we kidding, youre going to napping before the hour is out. Tigo and Claro have the best coverage on the lake and a typical SIM package costs 150Q ($20) for limited calling and texting and 10GB of data, recharged for 99Q per month after that. Once you are sure of the current rate, make sure you have exact change, then just hand it over when yu get off the boat and keep walking. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Seats in economy class are a torture: narrow, not enough leg room. Its also conveniently located in Panajachel, the main town on Lake Atitlan. No matter what, though, make sure to take advantage of the delightful rope swing about 2/3 of the way up, especially if you have a soft spot for feeling like a 7-year old kid in a nostalgic 1950s drama. I didnt think this would be a problem. Market days are different for each village so make sure to ask around, and by no means should you count on late night shopping just because its Thursday. Theres tons of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in San Marcos. When swimming, watch for boats and dont dive into the lake without checking for rocks first. Cost: $4 AU (70 HNL pp). Someday, though, it is going to be one kick-ass scuba diving site. Find out why travelling from Lake Atitlan to Antigua in Guatemala is a wonderful journey. Not exactly the Serengeti, but maybe better than watching tourists fawn over all the different colours of Gallo t-shirts for sale. Its another example of how Monte Verde Tours go above and beyond to make the multi-day hike as comfortable as possible. When we experienced this, the staff were super friendly and helpful, relocating us to a room on the second floor, which was much quieter, and still had phenomenal views from the shared balcony area. How to Get from Antigua to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan Given safety concerns, we didnt continue to the actual nose part of this landmark. So read through your amazing options of things to do in Lake Atitlan and pick the one that suits you best or slowly work through them all! Known as Semana Santa (Holy Week), each village offers its own special take on the incredible sawdust carpet art and grandiose processions. San Marcos is known as the hippie town of the lake. Would 100% come back because the." Citlalli Alvarez Martinez on Instagram: "Just enough time to get a small taste of this beautiful country. You should definitely check it out to decide for yourself. There are many places in Xela where you can catch a Chicken bus to Lake Atitlan. Youll then have one hell of a descent (approx. Its worth noting that a group were robbed doing this hike about 5 years ago. I think it helps to look extremely not worth robbing, something our well-stained hiking t-shirts and my ill-fitting hat apparently accomplish in spades. Obviously the more people you have the more economical it is but you may need to haggle at bit. With an average price for the route of $1,299 and an overall rating of 7.9, Delta is the most popular choice. Along the trail, youll explore remote villages, enjoy sweeping vistas of mountain ranges and finish it all with a breathtaking sunrise during the India Nose hike in Lake Atitlan. Shuttle Bus. Even if youre staying in a different town, youre better off coming to Panajachel, then taking a boat across the lake to where youre staying. The drivers are often not able to see swimmers so it is up to you to stay out of their way. The main reason Lake Atitlan is so photogenic are its volcanoes. There are buses that leave regularly from Guatemala City, including direct from the airport, as well as Antigua. Though the water taxis run from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm daily between Panajachel to San Pedro and vice versa. I am going to be traveling in Central America this fall and this information is very helpful. Panajachel, or Pana as it is normally known, is many peoples first stop on Lake Atitlan before they head out to the other towns and villages. You need at least 3 days to explore the best bits of Lake Atitlan, take in the views from different vantage points, see a couple villages and experience local life. 11 ways to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan By Isabella Biava October 21, 2022 Planning to visit Lake Atitlan? Ultimate Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike. You can easily catch a public boat (lancha) back from either end, as it can also be done in reverse, or in sections, or some people even hike all the way back the way they came (you know, those embroiled in intense Fitbit step-counter competitions and such). Crew was friendly", "The airplane was way to warm, for such a long flight it should've been a better temperature inside the plane, you dont want to get all sweaty and smelly while traveling! Don't expect a half-full . Save money when you bundle your flight + hotel. Unfortunately, it is still being excavated and is not open to the public. A shared van shuttle is an excellent option if you're seeking a budget-friendly and hassle-free way to travel from Lake Atitlan to Antigua! And if you dont believe me, just ask Aldous Huxley. Although Monte Verde Tours provide a sleeping bag and sleeping mat, we highly recommend these bits of camping equipment. We bought tickets for the 10:30am bus and held tight. This odd little Mayan/Catholic diety will happily greet you in exchange for donations of booze and cigarettes. Youll spend a night with a local family, in one of their spare rooms, where youll sleep on the floor. 1. In some villages, though, the older men still wear traditional garb. You can easily base yourself in one town (what I did) and take day trips to all the other towns. You could then fly to Prague with an airline and back to Atlanta with another airline. Most people pass through on the popular hike from Santa Cruz to San Marcos and those looking for peace and quiet often stay longer. There are many different schools of thought on this, varying from Amazing! There are eleven towns around Lake Atitlan. Without having a proper map or help from technology, it would be very difficult to navigate this route. Sure, there are places with (slightly) more dramatic scenery (i.e. How To Get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan [2023] - Every Steph There are 2 ways to get from Lago de Atitln to Antigua Guatemala by bus Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Semana Santa is a major celebration all over Latin America and Guatemala is no exception. It is really too much of a good thing.. It is the second most popular place to learn Spanish in Guatemala (the most popular is San Pedro Atitlan) and it is the setting off point for a number of outstanding volcano hikes like the hike to Volcan Santiaguito and a terrific 3-day hike from Xela to Lake Atitlan. If you want to go scuba diving at the lake, this is the place to come. But, there are many beautiful lakeside walks to do around Lake Atitlan that are much safer. The current water level is roughly the same as it was during our first long stay in 2010, which is still quite a bit higher than our first time in Guatemala in 2004. Many people choose the homestay option so they are truly immersed in learning. ", "Even though it was economy class, I was able to sleep because it was very comfortable. I hope you went pee at the border. Shared Van Shuttle. Anyone with a relatively new smartphone can buy them online, download them by scanning a QR code and buy a data package specific to anywhere in the world. Wise is by far the best international multicurrency bank account weve found, although so far they do not offer Guatemalan quetzal accounts. We bought a car and drove home! Dont worry, this viewpoint is absolutely spectacular and provides a phenomenal spot to enjoy the sunrise. ", "The boarding and the time taken was all fine. $120??!!!! None bigger, of course, than the Easter celebrations that draw huge crowds to the lake each year. Almost immediately, youll have sweeping views of mountain ranges and prominent volcanoes near Xela such as Volcan Santa Maria. The driver took us to Comercial El Dorado, a small coffee shop on the tourist strip, where there was a man in a navy ballcap who seemed to be the authority on all things chicken bus. Tiny Jaibalito is the only village that is not accessible by road, only by boat or on foot. But he still said it, just ask around. From there, you can take the PANA Chicken Bus for around 2025Q, leaving every hour from 9am5pm. There isn't a super serious boat schedule when you are wanting to travel around Lake Atitlan, I mean you are on Guatemala time now, relax. For now, we generally settle for swimming off the dock at Pasajcap Rentals a few times per week. This is about as close as you can get to an active volcano and the sight of lava shooting up into the sky every 15 minutes or so is incredible in itself, but just wait until it gets dark. San Pedro is known as the backpacker town with some of the cheapest prices. For most of these you will probably need a guide, or at least a knowledgeable British friend willing to show you the way in exchange for slowing him down and bombarding him with stupid questions. day4-5: Tikal and Flores, overnight bus to GC. This one can easily be done without a guide (just be sure to take the small path to the left when you reach Lomas de Tzunun at the top of the hill above the village of Tzunun), although there is an unfortunate history of armed robberies along this trail. It has an area of 134 km2 and is decorated by seven indigenous villages located on the shallow edges of the lake, surrounded by a spectacular landscape and displaying a beautiful culture. Travel from Antigua to Lake Atitlan - Antigua Forum - Tripadvisor We decided to overnight in Puerto Barrios as it was accessible in one day from Panajachel with late bus connections from Guatemala City, and is relatively close to San Pedro Sula, Honduras in order to connect onwards to La Ceiba in time for the 4:40pm ferry to Utila. per adult (price varies by group size) Shared Shuttle - between Antigua and El Paredon. A difficult hike, but not long in the scheme of volcanoes and most of it is mercifully shaded. Most people take a tuk-tuk to the park where the hike starts (at around 1,800 metres altitude). By early-mid 2022, Josh hopes to equip each homestay en route with inflatable air mattresses, sleeping bags and water filters, so you wont have to carry as much from Xela. So once you have made it to the lake we can help answer the question hey, youre here, now what?. Lake Atitlan is one of the best places to learn Spanish in Central America. The water level changes from time to time, sometimes significantly, and one theory is that the regular earthquakes that occur in Central America affect these fissures, allowing more or less water to escape. Panajachel is the main town on Lake Atitlan, and the main transit hub. On the whole, Guatemalans are fairly reserved, the Mayans in particular. Just be sure youre on the correct side of the lake before things take a turn for the rough. And if you go swimming, always watch for boats. Travelling from Lake Atitlan to Antigua, Guatemala - Wanderlust Chloe The inevitable sunburn is generally not included in price. Volcan Atitlan was active most recently of the 3 volcanoes and had a dozen eruptions between 1469 and 1853 with the most recent eruption being in May 1853. There are a lot of stops, and some of them are bus terminals. During this section of trail, youll pass increasingly lush forest, explore a lovely river, negotiate the one-at-a-time river crossing and wander by coffee plantations. After extensive research I have decided that KeepGo eSIMs have the best coverage and prices for most of our trips. Basically, in the hot and steamy pit, were buckets of hot and cold water. Hiking Xela to Lake Atitlan: Independently vs. So, while willfully knowing very little about the details, I do still have eyes, and based on what Ive seen I have no interest in swimming off any of the waterfront decks in San Pedro or Pana, would need to take a good, close look at things but eventually go in near San Marcos, Jaibalito or Santa Cruz, and feel fairly comfortable swimming off our Pasaj-Cap dock nearly every day. Perhaps the easiest and most popular to get to Lake Atitlan is by bus (not to be confused by the local chicken buses). The scenery with the beautiful lake and looming volcanoes, the long list of things to do, traditional culture and intriguing villages all make it a very unique place to visit. If you like climbing Guatemalan volcanoes check out our guides to Climbing Volcan Acatenango and Volcan Atitlan. With frequent stay discounts, thousands of reviews and free cancellation, it is very rare for us to have a bad hotel experience these days. Luckily we werent sick, but it was a pretty intense ride! So, from the starting point in Xela, there are fewer tourists compared with other places like Lake Atitlan, Antigua and Guatemala City. It can be a good deal if you have a group and is much faster and more comfortable. Boarding a shared van shuttle is the first and most convenient choice when you're traveling from Lake Atitlan to Antigua and seeking an affordable and hassle-free transportation option! Not only will you encounter gorgeous scenery in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, but youll have fantastic insight into the way of life for those living in remote areas of the country. She offers classes at Blind Lemon, online or you can arrange for her to come to you instead. You have several options, but the easiest and most used is the shuttle/bus combo. We were at the bus stop before 7:00am as we werent sure what time the bus would come; the bus man told us the bus would be coming at 7:15am but in reality it was closer to 8:00am. There is also the more expensive option of hiring a private shuttle but can reasonable if you have a group we have used Chema based on the lake in San Pedro. We noticed that the lunch provided by Monte Verde Tours was much more generous than what the other group had! Theres a twice weekly shuttle from Antigua, Guatemala to La Ceiba, Honduras (where you catch the ferry onwards for Utila and Roatan), but this leaves at 2:00am (therefore requiring an overnight stay in Antigua). We have a friend who comes every year to do a homestay and learn more Spanish. Book at least 4 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Prague from Atlanta up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. They charged an obscene amount $26 AU or 150 GTQ for a very basic room that had stains on the ceiling and spiders in the bathroom. My SOLID deodorant was fine, though. After youve collected your stuff, its time to farewell your group, guide and bolt to your Lake Atitlan hotel for a hot shower! Located in the southwest of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is easily accessible by tourist shuttles or buses from the main cities of Antigua, Xela (Quetzaltenango) and Guatemala City. Also, on the first night, youll be staying in a remote village, where there arent any accommodation options, other than a homestay. San Marcos has some nice restaurants and decent lounges, but be prepared to turn into a pumpkin by 9:30 at the latest (be careful, though, because even as a lonely pumpkin on the dark road by yourself it is still very easy to end up with dog shit on your shoe). Pyramids of Giza, Taj Mahal, Bagan) but we have yet to find a place with such an appealing combination of beauty, activities, value and friendliness. Name Atitln means "between the waters". There are quite a few transportation alternatives to consider, all of them detailed in this post. Required fields are marked *. Nice compromise between business and coach though. Be sure to hit the ATM in Panajachel or San Pedro so youll have enough money! Jump down to the bottom of this post to see the quick step-by-step guide and costs for everything. Each of the villages have great cafes but favuorites are Crossroads in Pana, Circles in San Marcos and Caf La Cabana in San Juan (this one has the best views and a swing with wings). Below are some of the most popular to add to your itinerary when you visit. The last departure to Prague leaves Atlanta at 11:40 pm. The platforms and rock outcroppings at Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve by San Marcos is another great place to swim. ", "Very professional, helpful and friendly. ", "Front gate person was very rude, inpatient and did not help us to print our new boarding passes that they gave in Barcelona. The cheapest month to fly is April. . Thanks for reading. No biggie! Much of the difference, however, can be attributed to location. Bottom line: Lake Atitlan is an amazing place, maybe our favourite long-term stay location anywhere in the world. If youre on a budget but still want to stay somewhere nice, this is a great option. Q10 = $1.28 (US) / $1.74 (CAD) / 1.21 (Prices as of February 2023) Direct Bus from Antigua to Panajachel 3 hours Q30/36 per person We successfully made it from Lake Atitlan to La Ceiba for less than $50 AU in two days not bad, eh?! Within the towns, you can get around by foot or by tuk-tuk. Travelling in Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Semuc Champey, Tikal So, its advisable to actually fill up on snacks and water at the slightly larger shop in the Village of Chirij Ximay.

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