Guatemala is one of those travel destinations that bowls you over. It knocks you out with a hearty dose of charm, history, and adventure. Arguably, the crown jewel of Guatemala is the enchanting Lake Atitlan. Surrounded by colossal volcanic mountains, and offset by the deep blue hues of the volcanic lake, this area is the definition of an idyllic vacation destination. And within this paradise, the perfect spot is San Juan la Laguna.
San Juan la Laguna is a Mayan village nestled in the mountains of Atitlan. Known for its lively vibe, this village is home to the Tz’utujil Mayan people, one of Lake Atitlan’s indigenous peoples. When in Guatemala, Lake Atitlan and by extension, San Juan la Laguna is a must-visit for all travelers!
How to reach Lake Atitlan
You can reach Lake Atitlan by a myriad number of ways from central Guatemala. You can catch a bus (chicken or otherwise), a car (shared or private), or even an Uber!
An important thing to note is that some towns and villages around Lake Atitlan are less accessible than others. Due to its very hilly location in the highlands of Guatemala (the region of and surrounding Lake Atitlan). Hence, the roads are narrow, curvy, and downright steep! Towns located on the eastern side of the lake (eg. Panajachel) are more accessible.
Note that it takes about 2.5 hours from Antigua or 3 hours from Guatemala City to arrive at Panajachel, Lake Atitlan. Staying on the other side of the Lake, say in San Juan la Laguna? Add about 45 minutes extra.
How to get to San Juan la Laguna
Once you reach Lake Atitlan, you can travel to San Juan la Laguna in one of the following ways.
Public ferry
You can catch a public ferry by going to the docks in one of the lake towns in Atitlan. We stayed near Panajachel (nickname: Pana) and went over to the Pana docs to catch the public ferry.
Don’t speak Spanish? Don’t worry – the public ferry handlers can speak some English. The standard rate for one trip is about 25 Quetzals per person. The rate does not change whether you take the ferry to the next stop or several stops further.
The public ferry is very accessible, safe, and fairly easy to avail of. You don’t need a tour group in Atiltan Lake if you don’t want to. Instead, opt for the public ferry.
The one con I’ll call out is that it can take some time for the boat to fill up. The boat driver will keep the group waiting until they get the desired number of passengers (close to full) before starting the journey.
Some tips about taking the ferry
These are some tips about taking the public ferry in Lake Atitlan.
Know how much to pay
The flat rate of taking the public ferry is about 25Q. And it does not matter how far you need to go (i.e. a single stop or several stops away). Before you leave your hotel, be sure to check with a local about the fair price of catching the ferry.
Get haggling
If the ferry operator tries to charge you more, be ready to haggle. Use language such as “I took it the other day and they charged me so and so” or “It is supposed to be such and such amount”. If you don’t speak Spanish, feel free to use Google Translate. That tool is seriously useful and fairly accurate!
Be ready to jump in/out
As exciting as the boat ride is, getting in and out can be a struggle. You will need to climb down from the pier into the boat (that’s at least 2 very deep steps). Same thing for climbing out.
Wear the right attire
Because you will be hopping in and out of a boat, wear pants or shorts or even a short dress, and avoid a long one. More tips on what to wear are below.
Expect there to be a wait with a ferry
The way that the ferry works is that they wait at the docs until they fill up the boat with passengers. Most boats start at Panajachel and continue on to the various towns. So, they wait in Pana until they are at about capacity before they start. As such, it can sometimes be a long wait.
The ferry takes plenty of stops
The ferry also gets flagged down at different hotels located on the banks of the lake. Since Lake Atitlan is peppered with villages and towns all over, many hotels are situated on the lakefront. The majority of these hotels have a dock of their own. So, people staying at these hotels can literally flag down a ferry and get in. It was cool to see people waiting on these little docks far away and the ferry moving toward them once the boat operator saw them.
On that note, if it is a busy time, expect the seating to be a bit tight. The ferries do like cramming as many people as possible.
The view from the ferry is beautiful
In fact, every view of Lake Atitlan is beautiful. But, the view from the ferry of the azure waters with the volcanoes in the background is extra beautiful! Be sure to whip out your camera for photos and videos as you will want to capture the moments. Just be careful not to drop your phone into the water!
Be prepared for some spray
Lastly, the seats next to the water may get some spray from the lake. You won’t get soaked though. But just be ready to get a spray. This is particularly true when traveling west to east (eg. San Juan to Pana). With that being said, the ferries have plastic covers that can be rolled down just in case the spray gets into hose territory.
Group or private boat tour
If you are short on time or feel uncomfortable about taking the public ferry, you can also join a group or private tour that will take you lake-town-hopping. With a private boat, you will also get a guide, who will show you the places of interest in Lake Atitlan.
While we did not opt for a tour to explore Lake Atitlan, we did receive an option from our hotel. The price point is a bit high, however, you will get a more personalized experience with such a tour. Additionally, you will not need to wait on the ferry, for other passengers to fill it up.
Car
You can reach San Juan la Laguna by car (rental or private). I would recommend this option only if you are traveling from outside Atitlan, and have luggage with you.
However, if you are lake-town-hopping, a boat/ferry is a more convenient, unique, and scenic way to visit San Juan la Laguna.
Now, if you are traveling from Antigua or Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan, you can take a shared or private shuttle directly to your accommodation in San Juan.
Important notes about visiting San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala
There are some important things to keep in mind when you visit San Juan de la Laguna, Guatemala.
The last ferry is at sundown
It’s always a good idea to know when the last option for your transport is. In San Juan, you will be able to avail the last ferry of the day at sundown. If you are visiting from a nearby town such as San Pedro, you may be able to walk back. However, I would not recommend walking by yourself at night.
For all other places, make a plan to take the ferry back to your accommodation town by sundown.
Get to the next spot by mid-afternoon if you want to visit more than 1 lake town
Planning to visit more than one town in a day? In order to have at least a couple of hours to explore the second town, make sure to leave San Juan by mid-afternoon. San Juan is bigger than some of the other towns, so you will want to set aside more time for this place.
Also, I recommend visiting San Juan early in the day as it tends to get busy with tourists by midday.
Don’t rush yourself
The beauty of San Juan la Laguna lies in its idyllic vibes. So, don’t be in a rush to check off all the places and move on to the next place. Take your time there. Also, keep your schedule open if possible. I like to have a travel schedule but am open to extending the time I spend at a place if I end up liking it a lot.
For example, when we went on a coffee farm tour in San Juan, I initially thought that we would spend 1 hour there. However, we enjoyed the storytelling and hospitality of our guide so much that we ended up spending over 3 hours there! We made the decision to skip another town and head back to Pana afterward.
All of this to say that, keep an open mind to the amount of time you will spend in San Juan, and take it easy.
Start your day early
As mentioned earlier, plan to start your day early. The earlier, the better, and less people. The ferries start running very early in the morning. Grab breakfast in your hotel and make a beeline to the pier straightaway to begin your day.
Don’t wear high heels or shoes you can’t walk 10+ hours in
Skip the heels for another trip. In Guatemala, and particularly in the areas of Lake Atitlan, wear flat shoes or sneakers. If you are planning to hike to a viewpoint, a pair of sturdy, close-toe shoes is a must.
Also, you will likely be walking for the full day (10+ hours), so make sure your footwear keeps your feet happy.
Bring cash
You will need cash for different vendors on your trip to San Juan la Laguna. The ferry takes cash only, as well as many vendors in the village do not accept cards. We found that most restaurants and eateries accept cards, but other vendors do not.
Play it safe and carry enough Quetzals to get you by for the entire day.
Be ready to haggle
Haggling is an important skill here, as mentioned earlier. Don’t forget to haggle with the vendors if you want to buy something. The shopkeepers at San Juan are aware that they are selling to tourists and have elevated their prices expecting you to haggle. Thus, go for some good-natured haggling. However, don’t attempt to skimp out the artisans too much. After all, they still need to make a living.
Skip the guided tour if you don’t mind going to just one or two towns
Are you planning to visit one or two towns in a day? Or would you prefer to visit more towns in a day? If the former is your choice (and a wise one), skip the group and private tours. You can easily cover about 2 towns in a day by catching the ferry.
San Juan la Laguna and the surrounding towns are very easy to navigate on your own. Then, once you reach a place of interest, you can hire a guide there. This option lowers the cost significantly.
Don’t speak Spanish? Ask for help from locals
If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t fret. Locals, such as those working in your hotels, or other bilingual tourists can help you if you ask for it. We did not speak Spanish and asked for help from our hotel guide. He was happy to arrange transportation from the hotel to the Panajachel docks.
Once we reached there, we found that the ferry operator spoke a little English and we were able to get by.
So, all in all, even if you don’t speak Spanish, don’t worry, you will be fine.
Things to do in San Juan la Laguna
San Juan la Laguna is one of those super picturesque places where you want to keep your camera at the ready because you know you will want to click photos at every turn. Somewhat touristy, with a lot of heart, San Juan bowled me over with its charm and vibrancy.
You can easily spend over 2 days in this pretty town. However, most of the main spots can be covered on a day trip. When we visited, we arrived early in the morning and took the ferry back at about 4:30 p.m.
The places below cover the must-see spots in San Juan la Laguna.
Walk the colorful streets
Easily one of the best things to do in San Juan is to walk around the town and take in the sights. As mentioned above, the town is super cute. Right from the moment you step off your boat onto the pier, the colors will mesmerize you. They have brightly-colores banners and streamers decorating the entrance to the town as well as in the main spots.
As you start walking inland from the pier, you will notice a burst of colors. There are brightly colored houses, restaurants, and painted streets! There are also colorful umbrellas hanging above the streets adding to the vibrancy of the town. The street is aptly called La Calle de las Sombrillas. Take your time and enjoy a leisurely walk.
Take loads of photos
It goes without saying because it will be hard not to, but be sure to click plenty of photos! In fact, you may want to keep your camera at the ready as soon as you get off your boat!
Part of the reason why I call San Juan touristy is because of the brightly colored decoration adorning the main streets. It feels like every corner has that perfect backdrop to click a picture-perfect photo to take home.
With that being said, I was happy to indulge that vibe and did end up taking a gazillion photos and videos! Want a photo of all the people in your travel group? Feel free to chat up a local and have them take a photo. They are super friendly. Want that perfect background for that perfect image? Consider taking a camera stand with you.
Grab a locally-grown cup of coffee at a cute little cafe
San Juan la Laguna has locally grown coffee, and the coffee is top-notch. Thanks to its abundance, there are numerous cafes in this small town. As you walk around, you will notice that a lot of the cafes have two stories.
Go inside one of these cafes. Order a local brew at the counter, and head on upstairs where you will likely stunning views of the lake. Sip your cold or hot brew with the view.
Hike up to Mirador Kaqasiiwaan
Walk over to the trailhead to Mirador Kaqasiiwaan (also called Mirador Cerro de la Cruz) and climb up the hill. It is a 0.8-mile trail and should take you about 30 minutes to climb. At the top, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Atitlan. Because this is a popular spot, if you prefer some solitude, go early in the morning.
But if you don’t mind the crowds, then go up the hill during sunset. The view will be extra incredible. There are some hawkers, restaurants, and benches at the top where you can relax after the workout. Also, don’t forget to check out the beautiful muraled floor of the viewing deck.
Hike up Indian Nose Summit
Nearby is the Indian Nose Summit. Longer than the hike up to Mirador Cerro de la Cruz, you should get a guide to hike up to the summit. Because this hike takes a couple of hours, we skipped it for the day trip. If you intend to spend a full day in San Juan though, it is a good option.
Get a drink at a rooftop restaurant
Because San Juan la Laguna town is located on a slope looking down to the lake, many restaurants boast a view of the blue waters. Similar to my advice about the coffee shop, grab a drink or lunch at a place with a scenic outlook.
Sure, the food might be average, but the vista more than makes up for it!
Visit the Iglesia Católica San Juan La Laguna Church
The Iglesia Católica San Juan La Laguna is located higher up the hill near the murals. Visit to check out the beautiful exposed brick facade and walk around the open field in front of it. This Catholic church might even be hosting a wedding or mass when you visit.
Inside, you will find exquisite stained-glass windows spilling light of every color into the church.
Women’s Weaving Co-op
Easily one of the most unique spots to visit in San Juan la Laguna is the Women’s Weaving Co-op store. Here, not only can you shop authentic Guatemalan textiles to your heart’s content, but you can even see a live demo of the native weaving methods!
Talk about an educational, fun, and riveting lesson!
When we went to the co-op, we did not expect to see an indigenous Guatemalan woman performing a live demo of the weaving materials, tools, and methods. But, once we walked inside, they invited us to sit down to experience it. The woman explained in Spanish the steps on how they color the cotton using organic colorants. We did not speak Spanish, but luckily there was a guide with a group who translated it to English.
The woman proceeded to show how they create thread out of the colored cotton. I have to note that this reminded me strongly of my Indian roots and how important cotton as a textile is in India.
After that, the lovely woman brought out a traditional loom to weave the colorful threads into a piece of cloth. This unique loom is strapped to the back of the wearer and the weaving method is called backstrap weaving. It was such a special experience to see the indigenous woman in action, clad in her ancestral attire, and showcasing her traditions through her work!
Check out the stunning murals
The murals of San Juan la Laguna are beautiful, and they are everywhere! You just need to walk around the main streets to see the kaleidoscope of colors that are their murals. They add to the street decor and also make the perfect backdrop for photos.
Check out the street 5ta Ave in particular for the riot of colors, and the mural below which coincidentally turned out to be the grandfather of our coffee farm guide. More on that below.
Visit an art gallery
Art is everywhere in San Juan la Laguna. Right from the moment you deboard from your boat, you will see bedazzling colors from every which way. Sure, street art is in abundance (and they are very beautiful too). But, a visit to the art galleries is a must as well.
Local artists have opened up shops to showcase traditional designs, patterns, and art styles of the indigenous Mayan culture. You will get the opportunity to not only interact with the artist but also support their work by making a purchase. Plus, it will be a wonderful souvenir that you can display at your home. Nothing quite like exotic art to get the dinner table conversations going, right?
El Tata Coffee Farm
Easily the highlight of our day trip to San Juan la Laguna was our impromptu decision to go to El Tata Organic Coffee Farm to learn about the coffee farming techniques in the Guatemalan highlands.
How did we end up picking El Tata? A simple Google search showed us the location and its proximity to the docks meant we could leave for Pana once were done there. We initially allotted about 1 hour at the farm. Let me tell you what happened next.
We entered the property and saw that it was also a Spanish school in addition to a coffee farm. Inside we were greeted by a woman who told us to wait in a seating area for our guide to arrive. Our jovial guide, Icto, came in a few minutes, and off we went to look at the coffee plants.
He showed us how they organically grow their famous Guatemalan coffee! They use organic methods for pest management and sustainable farming techniques to maximize output. They also use manual methods of filtering and roasting, keeping true to their traditions, which I found lovely.
This is a family-owned farm, so we also had the opportunity to meet his family. In the end, they invited us to sample a cup of coffee and lay out some evening snacks. Icto’s family also joined us for the meal and we had fun chatting with them and learning about their lifestyle.
Icto (who we later learned is actually, Benedicto!) also turned out to be an artist! After the tour, he showed us his work in his studio and shared a bit about his family. Turns out, the mural I mentioned above (pictured as well) is his grandfathers’ and their family is something of a celebrity in San Juan, I suppose.
All in all, we were very grateful to experience the warm hospitality offered by El Tata. I would highly recommend checking them out.
Try a water activity
Want to touch the deep blue waters of Lake Atitlan? That’s understandable, as the lake is super inviting. You can try your hand at paddle boarding, kayaking or just swimming in the lake. Check with the operators around the pier for the best options and rates. South of the pier on the border of San Pedro, there are a number of water activity operators as well.
And in case you are wondering if you can swim in Lake Atitlan, yes, you can swim there. Just be sure to check with your hotel (if you are staying there) or locals nearby that the area is safe to swim in. Some areas are more rocky than others.
Shop for souvenirs
Peruse the numerous shops and stalls in the town to get that perfect souvenir you must have to bring back home. You will encounter a bunch of souvenir shops as soon as you get out of the docks. However, do not purchase there as they are more expensive.
Climb up the hill a bit and check out the souvenir shops farther away from the docks. We found those shops to be more reasonably priced. Also, don’t forget to haggle.
Visit another lake town such as San Pablo, San Marcos, or San Pedro
One of the most fun things about exploring Lake Atitlan is that you can go town-hopping. Getting from one town or village to another is also quite accessible. So, while you are in San Juan la Laguna, if you have extra time, check out a town nearby.
Geographically, San Juan is located close to San Pablo and San Marcos to the north. In the south, you can visit the charming town of San Pedro.
Both San Pablo and San Pedro are within walking distance of San Juan. But, be prepared to work up a sweat. On the other hand, to get to San Marcos, you should get a tuk-tuk or hop on a ferry. Since each town has something different to experience, as well as unique art to see, I would highly recommend checking out a nearby lake town.
What to wear to San Juan la Laguna
First things first: you want to make sure you are comfortable and prepared for a boat ride. Next, consider whether you will be hiking (or climbing hills) before finalizing your footwear. In addition, expect the weather to be sunny, so wear or pack your favorite sun products.
Here are some items that you should wear to San Juan la Laguna.
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Sunscreen
- Cotton or linen clothes
- Hiking clothes if you plan to hike
- Comfy flat shoes (or hiking shoes) – you will be climbing up hilly streets even if you don’t go hiking
- Crossbody bag or backpack to hold your stuff
- Camera
- Carry bug spray
- Avoid long flowy clothes, like a dress, that can prove to be a nuisance getting in and out of a boat
How long should you spend in San Juan la Laguna?
Plan to spend at least 4 hours in San Juan la Laguna to see the highlights of the town. For a more leisurely exploration, target about 6 hours there. If you have plenty of time, consider staying overnight to immerse yourself in all that it has to offer. One night’s stay is sufficient for San Juan la Laguna.
San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala FAQs
Is San Juan la Laguna safe?
San Juan la Laguna is super safe. We spent upwards of 6 hours there and never felt uncomfortable there. The locals are also very friendly. The crime rate is also low, so as long as you take appropriate, sound precautions, you will be fine.
Are there any water activities in San Juan la Laguna?
There are plenty of water activities in San Juan la Laguna to partake in. Some of the popular activities are kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating.
Can you swim in Atitlan in San Juan la Laguna?
Yes, you can swim in Atitlan in San Juan la Laguna. However, be sure to avoid the pier area due to boat traffic and pollution. Since San Juan is a smaller village in Atitlan, the water is not too bad for swimming in. Use common sense before going into the water. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations from the locals.
How many days should you spend in San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala?
You should spend one day in San Juan la Laguna. If town-hopping in Atitlan, plan to spend about 4 to 6 hours in San Juan. You can also stay overnight for one day if you want to explore the town at a leisurely pace and immerse yourself in the culture, art, and locales.
