Things To Do
Lake Atitlán
Things to do in Panajachel Guatemala Panajachel is the most commercial town, where you will find a big concentration of hotels, restaurants, cafés. It also offers a lot of adventure activities to keep you busy during your stay. You can rent a Kayak to have an even better view of the lake's surroundings, go paragliding or visit Atitlan's Natural Reserve. This Reserve is a portal to the stunning Lake Atitlan and its amazing volcanoes; you can go hiking through a butterfly park, hanging bridges and coffee plantations. **Please also contact your concierge at the hotel, as they are able to book tours, and outings for you** Shopping in Panajachel Guatemala The main attraction of Panajachel is Calle Santander. This street is one of the most colorful areas in Guatemala and is lined with restaurants, bars, shops and local handicrafts stalls. The beautiful Lake Atitlan is at the end of the street to give you the perfect landscape after shopping in this vivid area.
Panajachel
If you’re a food-lover, we encourage to explore a Mayan cooking Class! Experience local food in a hands-on way by taking a cooking class. You can take a guided trip to the central market with locals, learn how to make traditional Mayan dishes, and devour all the delicious food. Some Mayan classics you may cook include tortillas, Mayan sauces with veggies, tamales or pepian, a hearty Guatemalan stew. Other nearby destinations to visit: San Juan La Laguna, Santa Catarina Palopo and San Pedro all available via a quick boat ride, super colorful and fun little towns to explore.
Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango This mystic town offers one of the biggest markets in Guatemala. Every Thursday and Sunday, Chichicastenango prepares a big market for you to enjoy. Here you will find all type of souvenirs to bring a piece of Guatemala's traditions back home, plus locals are very devoted to their religion, so you will most likely experience a Mayan ritual during your visit. Please note that this market is 45-60 minutes away via car from panajachel.
Recommendations for food & Drinks in the area:
- Circus Bar (knonw for their pizzas) - Panarock (bar food, live music) -Chez Alex (Guatemalan & American food) - Mister Jon's (American food) - El Bistro (Italian food) - Guajimbo's (Uruguayan food) - Deli Jasmin (breakfast) - Atitlan Rest Y Cafe (Guatemalan/ latin Food)
Antigua Guatemala
If you have extra days to spend in Guatemala we strongly suggest to visit Antigua Guatemala, as it is close to the capital. Antigua’s attractions are many and varied. Located in a steep-sided cauldron within the Guatemalan Highlands and overlooked by Active Volcan de Agua, the town benefits from a wonderful, natural setting, with some of the region’s most beautiful colonial architecture, numerous religious festivals, unique hotels, bars, restaurants and markets. Antigua was originally Guatemala’s capital until successive earthquakes entailed the move to nearby Guatemala City in the late 18th century. Devastating as these earthquakes were, they never totally destroyed the town and a large part of the town’s appeal comes from visiting the numerous, scattered ruins. You can explore almost all of Antigua on foot. Furthermore, as the town’s streets are all cobbled, traffic moves at a pleasingly sedate pace, adding to the impression of Antigua as a relaxed, easy-going kind of place.
Tikal
An ancient Mayan city hidden deep in the jungles of northern Guatemala. Home to an array of awe-inspiring temples, pyramids, and animals, Tikal was the heart of the Mayan Empire. It’s a fascinating archaeological wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even though Tikal is situated in quite a remote area in northern Guatemala, close to the border with Belize and Mexico, getting there is not overly complicated. First, you need to get to Flores, which is known as the gateway town to the Mayan city of Tikal. Flores has its own airport, Mundo Maya International Airport, which receives several flights per day from Guatemala City. The flight takes just one hour. Alternatively, you could drive or take a shuttle to Flores, but it takes 9-12 hours from Guatemala City or Antigua. From Flores, you can get to Tikal by taking a shuttle bus, joining a tour or driving there yourself. If you’ll be staying at one of the hotels in Tikal National Park, they can arrange the transport for you.