Bundle and saveSave money when you bundle your flight + hotel. Many people choose the homestay option so they are truly immersed in learning. The sunrise over Lake Atitlan at Indian Nose is a highlight of the Xela to Lake Atitlan hike. 8-34 Zona 1 Quetzaltenango) to book a tour or check availability. This will usually cost $120 US from Guatemala City or pickup from the airport and $90 US from Antigua or Xela and is best if you are staying in San Marcos or San Pedro as he will drive you directly there and you wont need to take a boat. Youll initially trek by farmland, and then ascend to the first mirador. San Lucas Toliman: A Guide to Lake Atitlans Secret Village. If youre extremely short on time, you can visit Lake Atitlan on a day trip from Guatemala City or Antigua. How to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan - Claire's Itchy Feet Ask around if there is a bus heading to San Pedro Sula. ", "The pilot greeted us all on the jet way and then spoke to us. Soon, youll be road walking through two remote river valleys. Boats stop running after five. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there I recently did this trail, also with Monte Verde. Other useful articles you may want to check out: San Pedro la Laguna: A Guide to Lake Atitlans Most Popular Village, Santa Cruz la Laguna: A Guide to Lake Atitlans Village With the Best Views, San Lucas Toliman: Guide to Lake Atitlans Secret Village, Santiago Atitlan: Guide to an Authentic Mayan Town, Slow Travel Settling in for the Long Haul. During this 6-hour tour you will explore the traditional village of Concepcin, check out local farms, experience a sacred Mayan fire cleansing ritual and visit the famous Solol market. I stayed in Panajachel on my trip and I thought it was a good base for exploring the lake. The cheapest return flight ticket from Atlanta to Prague found by KAYAK users in the last 72 hours was for $754 on Iberia, followed by Delta ($755). Good news, several shuttle buses leave the airport daily to Lake Atitlan via Antigua which gives you a freedom to decide your next course of action. Unfortunately, we werent able to do the Tajumulco hike when we visited in February 2022. The maximum withdrawal is 2,000 quetzales and all Guatemalan ATMs occasionally run out of money so dont wait until youre completely out of cash to try for a withdrawal. 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. Cost: $3 AU (52 HNL). In Tzununa, there is the unusual option of learning about permaculture and natural building at Atitlan Organics. 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. Lake Atitlan is also one of the worlds best yoga destinations and is considered to have good energy due to the ley lines. In this in-depth guide, well detail the three days of hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlan, including the Indian Nose hike on the final day. Travel from Antigua to Lake Atitlan - Antigua Forum - Tripadvisor The only thing left to dofigure out how to get from the airport to your hotel. Tell the bus attendant where you want to go and they will tell you where to get off and point you to the next bus if you need to change buses. Finally, you can book a private shuttle but this can cost around $100. But, there was a flush toilet and cold shower at our disposal, so that was more than we had expected! Unfortunately, it is still being excavated and is not open to the public. Most of the trail runs across the face of the hill high above the water with great views across to the volcanoes. By boat theyre all within about 45 minutes of each other. For many single day volcano hikes, doing them independently is a realistic option. A Town-Hopping Guide To Lake Atitlan - Indie Traveller We hope you find this guide useful. How To Get From Guatemala Airport To Lake Atitlan Best Way 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. Just before you arrive in PC, someone will probably come onto your shuttle and yell San Pedro! Put up your hand and your bag will be grabbed and you will be quickly escorted across the road where the other shuttle is waiting. That trip is 5Q per person. Getting to Antigua from Lake Atitlan. San Marcos is known as the hippie town of the lake. It is a great place to wander among the hundreds of brightly painted buildings featuring traditional patterns and symbols and has become a very popular day trip destination (second only to San Juan). The steep and dusty trail down eventually joins a flat and even path, leading to a large Mirador Mirador Kaqasiiwaan in San Juan La Laguna. On top of that, everything is green and lush, the dust is gone, there are far fewer tourists around and the multi-coloured cloudy sunsets and evening lightning shows have to be seen to be believed. The shuttle travel time from Guatemala to Lake Atitlan is around 4-5 hours. If you're coming from Antigua, it will take you about 2.5 hours to reach the lake. There are no direct flights connecting Atlanta to Prague. Although youd probably spend about five hours on round-trip transportation, so youll have to decide if thats worth it! There will be more posts coming If you have any specific questions as your trip gets closer dont hesitate to reach out. Sometimes referred to as the Mayan Trail, it is by far the most popular Atitln hike that doesnt involve climbing straight up something only to turn around and walk back down. Jaibalito is a very small town between San Marcos and Santa Cruz that is only accessible by boat or by foot. In general, Lake Atitlan is safe for tourists. It can be a good deal if you have a group and is much faster and more comfortable. From here, if you arrive early enough, you may be lucky enough to see Volcan de Fuego, active in the distance. There are three volcanoes starting with Volcn Atitln, which is a few kilometres south of Volcn Tolimn so that when viewing them from the other side of the lake they often look like one volcano with two peaks. Jaibalito: A Guide to Lake Atitlans Quietest Village. 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. Cost for taxi: $5 AU (30 GTQ). Cost: $17 AU (100 GTQ pp). Most of the villages have a single ATM and, if not, there are several in Panajachel, Santiago and San Pedro. For instance, our guide, Feliz, knew to avoid an exposed area of the Indian Nose hike, where its common for robberies to take place at dusk. Take a wander in any of the villages and find your favourites. There are many places in Xela where you can catch a Chicken bus to Lake Atitlan. If youre up early too, dont be afraid to explore the small village and catch sight of sunrise. 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. Casa del Mundo is a nice mid-range hotel about a 15-minute walk out of Jaibalito. The people around Lake Atitlan still stick to most of their Mayan traditions and culture. Theres no need to pack too much extra food. Xela, itself, is a bit off the beaten track and not classicly included as part of the Gringo Trail. ", "Entertainment very limited. But we recommend finding a swimming spot away from one of the villages where it is usually cleaner. I am unsure why this was the case as other passengers brought the same size luggage. What Is The Best Way From Guatemala Airport To Lake Atitlan? So, in other words, no need to be concerned about one of them suddenly blowing its top. Below is a step-by-step guide with prices of how we got from point A to B (errror point A to B to C to D to E you get it). Its better if you can spend at least two nights at the lake, although up to a week is great if you want to have more time to explore every town and do more activities. Thank you!!!! The main reason Lake Atitlan is so photogenic are its volcanoes. By the time we arrived, our best option was the 12:30pm bus. We have made it our mission to seek out the most spectacular hiking and epic long-distance treks the world has to offer. Although a week would be even better to give you the chance to stay in more than one village and try a few of the many activities on offer. From the office, youll be driven to the trailhead, which takes around 30 minutes. 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. Josh then organises the gear to be safely transported from Xela to Lake Atitlan, where it will be waiting for you in Lake Atitlan when you finish the hike. Also, all airlines offer two baggages for an international trip except Lufthansa. Thats because the route is made up of many different and random trails connecting natural tracks with villages. Chichicastanengo (Chichi) is only a couple hours away from the lake and is famous for its biweekly market (biweekly as in every Thursday and Sunday, not twice per month) and extremely picturesque cemetery. Theres a pool, cafe, and a great coworking space! There are numerous hiking options around the lake, although not all of them can be done on your own without a guide, or at least someone that has done them before. The cheapest return flight ticket from Atlanta to Prague found by KAYAK users in the last 72 hours was for $746 on Delta, followed by Lufthansa ($758). How to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan - Nomad Joseph However, visiting in the dry season, the afternoon weather was looking good, as to be expected. You can choose from two lines in Parque Chuiraxamolo near Santa Clara, or eight more in Atitln Nature Reserve near Panajachel. Before you set off on the Xela to Lake Atitlan hike, there are plenty of hikes near Xela youll want to smash out first. Funnily enough, though, the trail is essentially exclusively a touristic trail, that Guatemalans wouldnt actually bother doing! Everyone speaks one of the three different Mayan languages on the lake Kaqchikuel (San Marcos and east), Tzutujil (San Juan, San Pedro and Santiago) or Kiche (some of the villages in the hills above the lake). ", "I had no idea there was a gate change in Atlanta but Im sure thats out of your control. How To Get From Antigua to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan Best Way FYI: Some of the posts on this blog include affiliate links. per adult (price varies by group size) Shared Shuttle - between Antigua and El Paredon. Some travelers choose to travel first to Antigua, and then to Lake Atitlan area, some of them travel there directly. Filter your dealsChoose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more. With the assurance of a guide, we felt completely safe throughout the entire three-day hike. Speaking of shopping, Ive heard rumours that tourists, from time to time, like to buy things. The best option is to hire a private driver in Guatemala City, and there are many knowledgeable drivers willing to make the trip as this is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. 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. However, it felt a little grimier than the other towns to me and I just didnt like the vibe. The boats go every 20 minutes and the last one from San Pedro to Pana leaves at 5 pm. Shared Van Shuttle. The community from this village are warm, welcoming and very hospitable. 1,500m). Why? We opted to take a chicken bus from Panajachel (Pana as referred to by locals) to Guatemala City to save a little money (and time, as it turns out, since they absolutely gun it) but it was unclear on where to catch it (and if there even was a single chicken bus that went all the way to Guatemala City). Antigua is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Latin America and its Semana Santa celebrations last for 6 weeks and are among the most elaborate and fascinating in the world. ", "Food was good! . Most of the time mornings are calm, with the wind and waves only kicking up around noon, which makes it a great lake for kayaking. As a World Nomads affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our link. Located to the northwest of Antigua, Lake Atitlan is one of the most sought-after destinations in Guatemala. COMING FROM GUATEMALA CITY INSTEAD? What Is The Distance From Antigua To Panajachel? But they can offer better food and definitely better selection of movies onboard. Save 22% or moreCompare multiple travel sites with one search. While the common use of Mayan languages means there are times you wont understand whats being said, it provides a big benefit for amateur Spanish speakers like myself in that most people speak very simple Spanish. San Pedro is the best place to find a little light-hearted competition in the form of poker tournaments, trivia contests, bars with rotating specials or seeing who can craft the most convincing lies to impress that group of encouragingly drunk German girls. If you try Googling directions or GPS-guided maps for the Xela to Lake Atitlan hike, they dont exist! I selected 45C and was assigned 54 E Upon check-in. You will be pointed in the right direction, or better yet watch for shuttle buses driving around town with a man yelling Honduras! Lago de Atitln to Antigua Guatemala - 2 ways to travel via Bus - Rome2rio There are yoga classes and trainings around the lake. ", "SAS is excellent in terms of comfort and professionalism and care from the crew. It's still very cost-effective. ", "First class bathroom could have been cleaner and wider - very narrow, hard to maneuver", "Airline food and close main cabin seating. No visit to Guatemala is complete without a stop at this incredible Central American destination. Again, Feliz whipped us up another impressive meal and a strong coffee, and we were on our way. There isnt any vantage point as such around the village, but you can enjoy the orange glow on the opposing face of the mountain ranges. Guided Tour, Hike Xela to Lake Atitlan with Monte Verde Tours, Day 3: Santa Clara La Laguna to San Pedro, Five Hiking Essentials For the Xela to Lake Atitlan Trek, Five Camping Essentials For the Xela to Lake Atitlan Trek, 66 Travel Accessories That You Must Travel With, Sea to Summit Anti-Insect Mummy Style CoolMax Adaptor Sleeping Bag Liner, Sea to Summit Aeros Premium inflatable Pillow, The Pink Caves Close Due to Deaths: Heres What Happened, The Complete Guide to Hikes Along the NC500. Should offer upgraded meals, just like the extra seating space. Tourist shuttles take between 2.5 to 3 hours to go from Antigua to Lake Atitlan, with a short bathroom stop midway if needed. 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. The only thing you need to do now is board the ship. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Great to hear Darryl! Shared Shuttle from Guatemala City to Atitlan Lake. We have had many people visit over the years and manage to usually fit in the highlights during a very busy week trip. Travel time from airport to Antigua is 90 minutes, travel time from Antigua to Panajchel is 90 minutes. How to get from Lake Atitlan to Antigua, Guatemala San Antonio is a small village that is known for its weaving and distinctive blue, green and white pottery. But, whatever we were tired and just wanted a place to sleep. Of course, the wait is well worth it. Tiny Jaibalito is the only village that is not accessible by road, only by boat or on foot. Without having a proper map or help from technology, it would be very difficult to navigate this route. $120??!!!! The bus from San Pedro to La Ceiba was pretty comfortable, and fast (relative to the 8 hour bus ride wed had the day before!). It travels through Antigua with a 90 minute layover. 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! Really, all those things can be found in any of those four, but dont expect a whole lot to choose from in the other villages (although delightful Mayan atmosphere is mostly free). There are a variety of other options, from the easy 1-hour jaunt to a beach southeast of San Pedro, to the 2-hour gentle stroll down from Parque Chuiraxamolo to Santa Clara (with the option of continuing down past Indian Nose to San Juan), to full day excursions up Volcanes Toliman or Atitln. Seats in economy class are a torture: narrow, not enough leg room. Accommodation in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan. Best VPN for Travel: ExpressVPN Heading abroad? Its also located in the town of San Marcos, so if youre interested in being close to the yoga/wellness lifestyle, this is a good place to stay. To get to the lake itself, most people will be coming to Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City, Antigua or Xela. We successfully made it from Lake Atitlan to La Ceiba for less than $50 AU in two days not bad, eh?! We were assured that hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlan is generally quite safe. Rental Car from Guatemala City to Atitlan Lake. We took a tuk tuk into the main part of town since our hotel was a little out of the way, and asked our driver to take us to the buses for Guatemala City. To get from the capital of Guatemala City to Lake Atitln, you'll have to travel 77 miles (126 km), and the best way to make the journey is by car. The shuttles from Guatemala City to Pana usually go through Antigua and do the whole picking up and dropping off process there too. It ends up being faster than taking the winding mountain roads to the other towns. Its is obviously our favourite as we have been coming back to it for over a decade. The guides have the know-how, street smarts and experience to avoid risky situations and places. Wrong! How many days do you need at Lake Atitlan? Rent a Car at Guatemala City Airport. Youll also find that many of the hotels and hostels in Quetzaltenango recommend Monte Verde Tours. How to get from Lake Atitlan to Utila: A Guide We knew it would take at least five hours (according to Google) but it actually took eight. The altitude is what keeps the weather so amazing all year round. 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! There was a problem with the seat of the person in front of me. It was only a 9.5 hour flight but I expected better from SAS. ATI Diverswill take you on a scuba diving adventure in Central Americas deepest lake. And looking at Google Maps we were actually in Zone 8 and not Zone 1 (where we assumed the bus would drop everyone). It really helped that we didnt have to carry them. Lake Atitlan produces some pretty amazing coffee in the hills above the lake so it only seems fair that you should try it out. So, just pack the bare essentials (camera, water, headtorch, jacket), perhaps in a small drawstring bag. Cost: 100Q each for bus from Guatemala City to Puerto Barrios. In this post, I will tell you all the possible ways you can get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan for every budget and style. He pointed us in the general direction, and when we got closer we asked someone else (one block north of the Litegua bus stop, on Calle 6a).
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how to get from lake atitlan to antigua
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