Panajchel Nuno's guidebook
City/town information
Panajachel Guatemala is a bustling town on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlan, located in the Guatemalan Highlands 3 hours drive from Guatemala City. It is the busiest and most touristy of all the villages on Lake Atitlan, and the most common place for visitors to get their introduction to “The Most Beautiful Lake in the World”.
Even though it is a relatively small place in the scheme of cities, it feels much larger because of the number of tourists. With a population of around 15,000 it is the second-largest town on Lake Atitlan, just ahead of San Pedro la Laguna and behind only Santiago Atitlan.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Panajachel
Panajachel Guatemala is a bustling town on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlan, located in the Guatemalan Highlands 3 hours drive from Guatemala City. It is the busiest and most touristy of all the villages on Lake Atitlan, and the most common place for visitors to get their introduction to “The Most Beautiful Lake in the World”.
Even though it is a relatively small place in the scheme of cities, it feels much larger because of the number of tourists. With a population of around 15,000 it is the second-largest town on Lake Atitlan, just ahead of San Pedro la Laguna and behind only Santiago Atitlan.
Learn Spanish
Run by a local Mayan couple for over 15 years. They are very flexible and employ friendly teachers who will tailor lessons to your level. They are also happy to discuss local Mayan history, culture and politics which helps you learn about Guatemala at the same time you are learning Spanish.
JABEL TINAMIT Spanish School
Calle de Los ArbolesRun by a local Mayan couple for over 15 years. They are very flexible and employ friendly teachers who will tailor lessons to your level. They are also happy to discuss local Mayan history, culture and politics which helps you learn about Guatemala at the same time you are learning Spanish.
Shopping
While other villages are known for specific things (i.e. San Juan is the fabric village), none of them can compete with Panajachel for sheer volume of shops and variety of products that come from all around Guatemala.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Calle Santander
Calle SantanderWhile other villages are known for specific things (i.e. San Juan is the fabric village), none of them can compete with Panajachel for sheer volume of shops and variety of products that come from all around Guatemala.
Every village on the lake has its own fruit and vegetable market, usually running once or twice a week. But the Panajachel market is the largest and is open every day, rain or shine. Along with the usual amazing selection of cheap, fresh produce, you can find virtually everything at the Pana market from meat and nuts to birthday hats and balloons,
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mercado Municipal
Every village on the lake has its own fruit and vegetable market, usually running once or twice a week. But the Panajachel market is the largest and is open every day, rain or shine. Along with the usual amazing selection of cheap, fresh produce, you can find virtually everything at the Pana market from meat and nuts to birthday hats and balloons,
Sightseeing
If you continue down Santander to the lake you can wander a pedestrian-only street along the waterfront. There are a variety of stalls selling handicrafts, some Instagram-worthy photo spots and tiny juice bars. It is quieter than Santander and the views are impressive every step of the way.
Mirador Ventana del Mundo
If you continue down Santander to the lake you can wander a pedestrian-only street along the waterfront. There are a variety of stalls selling handicrafts, some Instagram-worthy photo spots and tiny juice bars. It is quieter than Santander and the views are impressive every step of the way.
San Pedro is the backpacker hangout, with plenty of bars, restaurants and activities.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Pedro La Laguna
San Pedro is the backpacker hangout, with plenty of bars, restaurants and activities.
San Juan is known for its traditional fabric and clothing shops. They use traditional natural dyeing tecniques and they work with a multitude of materials.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Juan La Laguna
San Juan is known for its traditional fabric and clothing shops. They use traditional natural dyeing tecniques and they work with a multitude of materials.
San Marcos is a new age, hippie enclave with lots of yoga classes and many natural, wholesome products.
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San marcos la laguna
San Marcos is a new age, hippie enclave with lots of yoga classes and many natural, wholesome products.
It is knows for its colorful buildings and specific fabric and knitting techniques.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santa Catarina Palopó
It is knows for its colorful buildings and specific fabric and knitting techniques.
Knows for its colorful, traditional ceramic fabric
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Antonio Palopo
Knows for its colorful, traditional ceramic fabric
Food scene
A nice place to relax with a drink is at Sunset Cafe at the very end of Santander. The location is perfect for when you are finished your shopping. Head up to the second floor for best views of the lake. We haven’t been there at sunset yet but its positioned perfectly to enjoy the sunset – probably how they came up with the name…
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunset Cafe
Calle SantanderA nice place to relax with a drink is at Sunset Cafe at the very end of Santander. The location is perfect for when you are finished your shopping. Head up to the second floor for best views of the lake. We haven’t been there at sunset yet but its positioned perfectly to enjoy the sunset – probably how they came up with the name…
Our favorite Coffee Place in Pana with locally harvested and roasted coffee.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cafe Loco
Calle SantanderOur favorite Coffee Place in Pana with locally harvested and roasted coffee.
Very nice restaurant with big, peaceful garden. Menu has indian curries and pizza (one of the best pizzas in town).
Amaranto Panajachel
Rancho GrandeVery nice restaurant with big, peaceful garden. Menu has indian curries and pizza (one of the best pizzas in town).
Delhi 6
Calle SantanderBest indian restaurant by far in Pana. Delicious, affordable, great service!
Deli
Nice restaurant at the end of Calle Santander.
Iconic pizza place of Pana. They take also home orders. Nice atmosphere in the evening.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Circus Bar
Calle de Los ArbolesIconic pizza place of Pana. They take also home orders. Nice atmosphere in the evening.
Restaurante Hana
3-41B Calle SantanderBest sushi in town
Cheros Bar Pupusería
Calle de Los ArbolesDelicious pupusa, a traditional dish from El Salvador.
Rinconcito Salvadoreño Calle Santander
517 Calle SantanderDelicious pupusa, a traditional dish from El Salvador.
Water Sports
The lake is the big highlight of all Lake Atitlan villages so you should definitely take the chance to get out on the water. Cruising across the calm, morning waters in a kayak or on a paddleboard offers a completely different perspective. As we mentioned earlier, the waves tend to pick up in the afternoon so the earlier the better, and always keep a close watch for boats.
In Pana, GuatSUP offers paddle boarding, SUP yoga, SUP Acro yoga and SUP wakesurfing.
There are also a few different places to rent a kayak in Panajachel, including right on the public beach (Playa Publico). However, we would probably recommend heading over to Santa Cruz for kayaking and renting from Los Elementos.
We have rented there often in the past because they have better selection and starting from there you are closer to the volcanoes. They also run one of the best all-day adventure tours that includes kayaking, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, cliff jumping (optional, obviously), archery, trampolines and, if you behave, even some time to relax with a view. This trip is very popular with families.
guateSUP Atitlan
The lake is the big highlight of all Lake Atitlan villages so you should definitely take the chance to get out on the water. Cruising across the calm, morning waters in a kayak or on a paddleboard offers a completely different perspective. As we mentioned earlier, the waves tend to pick up in the afternoon so the earlier the better, and always keep a close watch for boats.
In Pana, GuatSUP offers paddle boarding, SUP yoga, SUP Acro yoga and SUP wakesurfing.
There are also a few different places to rent a kayak in Panajachel, including right on the public beach (Playa Publico). However, we would probably recommend heading over to Santa Cruz for kayaking and renting from Los Elementos.
We have rented there often in the past because they have better selection and starting from there you are closer to the volcanoes. They also run one of the best all-day adventure tours that includes kayaking, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, cliff jumping (optional, obviously), archery, trampolines and, if you behave, even some time to relax with a view. This trip is very popular with families.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Tuk tuks are the fastest way to get around.
Normally a tuktuk is 5 GTQ per person for getting around in Pana. However, in the evening the tariff normally increases to 10GTQ. Some tuk tuks also charge 10GTQ for phone orders or for going to Pana outskirts as Jucanya, Las Manos Apartamentos etc.