Travel advisory · GuatemalaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Guatemala.The warnings cover only these areas: 5 km strip along the Mexican border, Guatemala City, Zone 11, Guatemala City, Zone 12, Guatemala City, Zone 18, Guatemala City, Zone 19, Guatemala City, Zone 21, Guatemala City, Zone 24, Guatemala City, Zone 3, Guatemala City, Zone 5, Guatemala City, Zone 6, Guatemala City, Zone 7, Guatemala City, Zone 8, Huehuetenango Department, Izabal Department, La Democracia, Mixco, Petén Department, San Antonio Huista, San Marcos Department, Santa Ana Huista, Villa Nueva.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 5 km strip along the Mexican border · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Guatemala City, Zone 11 · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 12 · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 18 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy, US
- Guatemala City, Zone 19 · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 21 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 24 · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 3 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 5 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 6 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 7 · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, Italy
- Guatemala City, Zone 8 · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Huehuetenango Department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy, US
- Izabal Department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- La Democracia · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
- Mixco · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
- Petén Department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- San Antonio Huista · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
- San Marcos Department · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy, US
- Santa Ana Huista · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
- Villa Nueva · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy, US
Also named by one government: Areas around active volcanoes (Germany), Agua Caliente border with Honduras (Canada), Alta Verapaz Department (Italy), Anguiatu border with El Salvador (Canada), Chiquimula Department (Italy), El Carmen border with Mexico (Canada), El Ceibo border with Mexico (Canada), El Corinto border with Honduras (Canada), El Florido border with Honduras (Canada), Escuintla Department (Spain), Guatemala City, Zone 1 (Canada), Guatemala City, Zone 13 (Italy), Guatemala City, Zone 17 (Italy), Guatemala City, Zone 20 (Italy), Guatemala City, Zone 22 (Italy), Guatemala City, Zone 23 (Italy), Ixchiguán (Italy), La Hachadura border with El Salvador (Canada), La Mesilla border with Mexico (Canada), Melchor de Mencos border with Belize (Canada), Quetzaltenango Department (Italy), San Cristobal border with El Salvador (Canada), San José (Escuintla Department) (Canada), San Pedro Ayampuc (Guatemala Department) (Canada), Siquinilá (Escuintla Department) (Canada), Tajumulco (Italy), Tecun Uman border with Mexico (Canada), Tiquisate (Escuintla Department) (Canada), Villa Canales (Guatemala Department) (Canada)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Mar 12, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Besondere Vorsicht walten lassen; keine generelle Reisewarnung (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | vigilance renforcée (en jaune) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Lake Atitlán
A volcanic lake in the Guatemalan highlands, with Maya villages on its shores and volcanoes rising around it.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Lake Atitlán is a volcanic lake in the Guatemalan highlands, in the Sololá department. Volcanoes rise from its shores, and Maya communities live in the towns and villages around the water. Travelers usually reach the lake by road to a shore town, then move between villages on small public boats called lanchas. Villages differ in pace and in how many hotels and restaurants they have, so the village you choose as a base shapes your trip more than any single sight. Panajachel is the largest shore town, with the main lancha docks and ATMs. San Pedro La Laguna has hostels and Spanish schools above its dock. San Marcos La Laguna is quieter and known for yoga and meditation retreats.
The lake suits slow trips built around one base village, with day trips by boat or on foot. Winds often pick up in the afternoon, so plan boat trips for the morning. The dry months, roughly November to April, are the usual choice for hiking and clear views. Pick a base first, then plan your days on the water.
Lake Atitlán in five
- Pick your village firstPanajachel is the transport hub, San Pedro is lively and cheap, San Marcos suits yoga and quiet, and Santa Cruz is small and steep.
- Cross the lake in the morningPublic boats run in daylight. The afternoon wind, the Xocomil, makes crossings rough.
- Get cash in Panajachel or San PedroSmaller villages have few or no ATMs, and many places take cash only.
- Hike Indian Nose at sunrise with a guideThe short climb above San Juan gives the classic view over the lake. Go with a local guide.
Need to know
- Airport
- La Aurora (GUA), about 3.5 hours by shuttle
- Getting there
- Shuttles from Antigua to Panajachel, about 2.5–3 hours
- Getting around
- Public boats between villages, tuk-tuks on land
- Best base
- Panajachel for connections, San Marcos or Santa Cruz for quiet
- Time needed
- 3–4 days
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, cool nights
- FebruaryDry, clear
- MarchDry, warm
- AprilWarmest, dry
- MayRains start
- JuneRainy season
- JulyAfternoon rain
- AugustAfternoon rain
- SeptemberWettest
- OctoberRain easing
- NovemberDry, clear
- DecemberDry, festive
Right now in Lake Atitlán
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 33%
Lake Atitlán
05:25 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°18°33%Monday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Tue23°16°98%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed23°16°89%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Thu22°17°88%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri22°17°94%Friday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sat22°17°90%Saturday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sun22°16°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 02:05 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 7.656 GTQ
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Chichicastenangoabout 1.5 hours by roadA big highland market held on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Antiguaabout 2.5–3 hours by shuttleColonial streets and volcano hikes.Read the guide
- Quetzaltenangoa long shuttle day; better as a stop on the way westHighland city with hot springs and volcano days.Read the guide
Before you go to Lake Atitlán
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Lake Atitlán, checked
- Many nationalities enter Guatemala visa-free for up to 90 days. Check entry rules with the Dirección General de Migración before you book.
- Carry quetzales in cash. ATMs are mostly in Panajachel, so withdraw money there before you go to smaller villages on the lake.
- Ask before photographing people in the villages, especially during religious ceremonies.
- Declare cash above the legal limit at customs on arrival or departure. Check the current amount with SAT Guatemala before you travel.
All Lake Atitlán guides
Plan around Lake Atitlán
Regions, entry rules, safety and money
Read the guideAntigua GuatemalaThe colonial hub for the lake shuttle
Read the guideQuetzaltenangoCool highland city, a shuttle day west of the lake
Read the guideXela to the lake or AntiguaBooked shuttle or private driver, in daylight
Read the guideTikalThe Maya city in the north, a flight away
Read the guideMoney in GuatemalaATMs, cash and quetzales for the villages
Read the guideGetting around GuatemalaShuttles, chicken buses and domestic flights
Read the guideLake Atitlán FAQ
Which village should I stay in at Lake Atitlán?
Panajachel for easy connections, San Pedro for a lively, cheaper scene, San Marcos for yoga and quiet, and Santa Cruz for a small village feel.
How do you get around Lake Atitlán?
Public boats link the villages in daylight. Cross in the morning, before the afternoon wind picks up.
When is the best time to visit Lake Atitlán?
November to April is dry and clear, with the best volcano views in the mornings.
Is Lake Atitlán safe?
Most visitors travel the lake without trouble. Cross by public boat in daylight, avoid night hikes without a guide, and ask your hostel about current conditions on the trails before you go.
How do you get from Guatemala City airport to Lake Atitlán?
Take a shuttle straight to Panajachel, about 3.5 hours, or break the trip in Antigua. Book the shuttle ahead for late flights, and from Panajachel use public boats to reach the other villages.