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Guatemala
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Sacatepéquez Department
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Antigua Guatemala
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Tours & Activities
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Lake Atitlán Sightseeing Cruise with Transport from Antigua
1 day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Discover the majestic beauty of Guatemala’s Lago de Atitlán (Lake Atitlan) on a sightseeing cruise! Depart from your hotel in Antigua and spend the day out on the water with your expert local guide, enjoying the lake's gorgeous volcanic setting!
From Antigua, venture northwest to the town of Panajachel, located on the northeastern shore of the lake. Board the cruise and set out on the water, admiring the scenic landscape surrounding the lake. Lago de Atitlán originated from a massive eruption of Los Chocoyos volcano. Thousands of years later, smaller volcanoes rose out of the lake's waters, forming the lake’s stunning setting. The three volcanoes – Volcan San Pedro, Volcan Atitlan and Volcan Toliman – all reach heights above 9,000 feet (3,000 meters) and create a dramatic vista that adds to the lake’s natural beauty.
Glide across the lake toward the colorful village of Santiago de Atitlan. Hop ashore here to see how the local Tzutujil Maya people live in the lakeside village. Visit the main street filled with shops selling everything from oil paintings to woven baskets, and then re-board your boat for the cruise back to Panajachel.
When you reach Panajachel, spend some time in town exploring Santander Street, the town’s main strip, filled with shops, craft stands and restaurants. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant (own expense) and browse through the various shops and craft stalls before being transported back to your Antigua hotel.
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From Antigua, venture northwest to the town of Panajachel, located on the northeastern shore of the lake. Board the cruise and set out on the water, admiring the scenic landscape surrounding the lake. Lago de Atitlán originated from a massive eruption of Los Chocoyos volcano. Thousands of years later, smaller volcanoes rose out of the lake's waters, forming the lake’s stunning setting. The three volcanoes – Volcan San Pedro, Volcan Atitlan and Volcan Toliman – all reach heights above 9,000 feet (3,000 meters) and create a dramatic vista that adds to the lake’s natural beauty.
Glide across the lake toward the colorful village of Santiago de Atitlan. Hop ashore here to see how the local Tzutujil Maya people live in the lakeside village. Visit the main street filled with shops selling everything from oil paintings to woven baskets, and then re-board your boat for the cruise back to Panajachel.
When you reach Panajachel, spend some time in town exploring Santander Street, the town’s main strip, filled with shops, craft stands and restaurants. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant (own expense) and browse through the various shops and craft stalls before being transported back to your Antigua hotel.
Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Boat sightseeing cruise
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Features
Tourism
85%
Cultural
55%
Original
20%
Aquatic
20%
Reviews
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Absolutely not worth your time. Driver came one hour to late without any notice but that can happen - however the lake itself is nice but not amazing and certainly not worth the 2,5 hour up and back. The places you visit are really but really just one big tourist market and you learn or see almost nothing about the live of the people and their culture. There are really much better and nicer things to do in and around Antigua
This tour was was one of, if not the, highlight of our trip to Guatemala. Our guide, Miguel, was very knowledgable, particularly about history as well as friendly and helpful. The lake is incredible and the town of San Juan is definitely worth a visit for the indigenous cloth, crafts, and art.
This was a good day trip, but the cruise is not really a cruise, it is a small boat ride to one of the town by the lake. It was a nice site to see, my tour guide Mike was very nice and well inform.
Beautiful sightseeing, interesting visits to Mayan Cities but a little touristy.
This was a terrific tour. Our guide was fun and very knowledgeable -- telling us stories and taking us to churches, hidden corners etc. that we'd never have found on our own. My favorite was a private home in which we saw a statue of a man/god who was given cigarettes and whisky to grant individuals' prayers. The Mayan churches, where the locals combined their native religion with Catholicism, were fascinating. The lake ride and drive from Antigua were accompanied by narratives about the region and I'm so glad I took advantage of this tour.
Highly recommended. Our guide was bilingual and very punctual. The views during the boat ride were remarkable. It was a bit colder than I eoxtected so I would highly recommend a jacket. The marketplace tour in Santiago was a kaleidoscope of colors and an amazing way to see the Mayan life up close.
This was the second day we had Miguel as a guide, and we were looking forward to another great adventure. The previous day we had discussed the traffic situation on the way to the lake, and we decided to get an earlier start. Miguel picked us up promptly, and we were on our way. He made sure to tell us the history of a lot of the towns we drove through as well as the cultural significance of many of the locations we drove by. We stopped for breakfast at a local restaurant at about the halfway point in the drive to sample some of the local dishes and the excellent Guatemalan coffee. After a breakfast of fresh fruit and freshly made tortillas with an excellent jam, we were back on the road. We took in some breathtaking views while driving into the mountains surrounding the lake, even stopping to get an excellent panoramic picture of the lake with two of the volcanoes towering over it. Miguel again did a great job of telling us the history and culture of some of the small Mayan towns we drove through on the way to the lake. Once there, we boarded a boat to head out to San Juan La Laguna. The boat ride was a nice change of pace, and we really enjoyed crossing the lake while taking pictures of the volcanoes on the shore. On the way out, Miguel told us the history of the lake as well as some of the surrounding countryside. San Juan La Laguna did not disappoint. There were several local Mayan artisans selling their artwork and textiles, and it was a very pleasant shopping experience. Miguel pointed out several of the murals painted on the walls, and we even got to meet one of the artists that painted some of them as well as shop in her gallery. We wandered into a local church and marveled at the architecture, and strolled the cobblestone streets while constantly looking around. We watched local artists spun cotton into different colored yarn to make several textile products you could buy right there in the shop. After picking up some Guatemalan coffee grown in the town and roasted the night before, it was time to head back across the lake. The ride back was a little bumpier as the winds had kicked up, but it was still a fun experience. Once back on the other shore, we at lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lake. It was a beautiful view and one we'll remember for the rest of our lives. Miguel drove us back, we returned to the hotel, and we've been talking about our trip ever since. I can't recommend the tour with Guatemalan Adventures enough, and I'm really happy with the service as well as the communication. Miguel was excellent, and the 2 year old that traveled with us loved him as well. If you're planning a trip to Guatemala, check them out.