When you search images of Lake Atitlan you will find photos of a large, picturesque lake surrounded by volcanoes in the highlands of Guatemala. There is a reason why so many people retire or move here–it’s peaceful, culturally rich, and offers stunning landscapes and nature. We’ve come up with 8 family outdoor activities in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala that will keep you entertained and leave a lasting impression on you.
We spent a little over two weeks there, and never got bored. As a family who craves epic outdoor experiences, we were not disappointed to learn that this lake offers it all. From hiking volcanoes, to mountain biking and rock climbing, to paddleboarding and kayaking, and even paragliding, we’ve come up with the top 8 family-friendly outdoor activities to do around Lake Atitlan. And the good news is most of them are budget conscious too!
1. Go paddleboarding
You may know that paddleboarding is one of the fastest growing water sports across the world. And for good reason, it’s incredibly easy to learn, good exercise (it works the entire body!), and a great way to travel over a body of water whether that be a lake, river, or even ocean. Plus, it’s FUN!
When we searched paddleboarding on Lake Atitlan, there were a few options, but when we stumbled on SUP Atitlan and met Marshall (the owner), we knew we made the right choice. Marshall has run this company for a few years now out of Santa Cruz La Laguna (our favorite town around Lake Atitlan!) and goes above and beyond to ensure his guests are well taken care of, SAFE, and most importantly, have a memorable time.
First off, Marshall always checks the weather conditions to make sure that you go on a day where the weather is nice, but also the water is calm. It is often choppy in the afternoons/evenings on Lake Atitlan, so going first thing in the morning is usually best. After we arrived to Santa Cruz (where you start), we were equipped with our own paddleboards (if you have kids with you, you can double up), life preservers and dry bags for our things (like sunscreen and camera equipment).
Then we hit the water and made our way to a hidden spot where we could jump off rocks! We couldn’t get over how calm and peaceful it was on the lake as we paddled–we were practically the only ones out on the water!
After a couple of hours of paddling and jumping off rocks, we made our way to the quaint village of San Marcos La Laguna where we ate lunch and walked around the town for a bit. San Marcos is well known for it’s yoga-loving, vegan, bohemian vibe that attracts backpackers and travelers looking for an eco-conscious escape.
We had a yummy lunch at Moonfish Cafe, a local fave and relatively economical compared to others you may find here. Once we finished lunch, we made our way back to Santa Cruz via boat ferry (otherwise known as a lancha) since the wind had picked up by then and we would’ve been paddling in a headwind.
Out of all the things we did here, paddleboarding with SUP Atitlan was by far our favorite outdoor activity while staying in Lake Atitlan! To top off the experience, Marshall gave us some photos he had taken of us as part of the excursion as well. We also love that he can customize the tour based on your group’s needs and desires, while keeping the group size small. You simply can’t miss this tour if you come to Lake Atitlan!
2. Explore Reserva Natural Atitlan
Located just outside of the bustling town of Panajachel on the northeast side of Lake Atitlan, is Reserva Natural Atitlan, a nature reserve that offers something for everyone here. Here you can zipline, hike the various trails, visit the butterfly Geodome, walk across the hanging bridges, and witness wildlife such as coatis and monkeys.
We spent almost an entire day here and absolutely loved it. We came during the dry season so the waterfalls were dried up, but it was still gorgeous and relatively green and lush. The kids loved the wildlife especially–the coatis are quite friendly and will often come up to you and if you look carefully, you will see spider monkeys hanging in the trees. The butterfly preserve is a must-visit too, as it is filled with thousands of different species of beautiful butterflies.
and are part of the raccoon family.
We also loved hiking the easy trails here and were quite surprised by the variety of terrain. On one trail you feel like you’re in the jungle as you cross hanging bridges, and on another, you’re treated with more “pine” forests and scenic overlooks of the lake. There is also a trail that goes down to the beach on the lake and if it’s not too choppy, you can go for a swim!
Reserva Natural Atitlan makes for the perfect family outdoor activity in Lake Atitlan, suited for all ages!
from the hanging bridges at Reserva Atitlan.
3. Watch the sunrise on the lake
This activity will be the cheapest, but you can’t miss a sunrise on Lake Atitlan. The sunsets are quite spectacular as well, but often the water is choppy in the evenings. If you’re staying on the northeast side of the lake, such as Panajachel, you will have one of the best vantage points for amazing sunsets. For sunrises, Santa Cruz La Laguna is ideal.
We took a private lancha (public lancha boats don’t typically leave until 7 or 8 in the morning, however you can hire one to take you across the lake at any time for a little bigger fee) over to a dock near Santa Cruz. Just ask your lancha driver to stop at any of the public docks along the lakeside!
to be the best since it faces east.
4. Hike El Pico de Cielo
When we searched for trails that offered panoramic views of Lake Atitlan, there were a few that came up, however we wanted a hike that was close to where we were staying in Panajachel and El Pico de Cielo fit the bill. You start in the town of Santa Cruz and then make your way through the village before ascending on the trail.
One thing to keep in mind is that most trails that offer views around the lake are going to be a bit of a climb (it is surrounded by volcanoes after all!), so be prepared for a little thigh burn! However, this hike is entirely do-able with kids that have experience hiking. The total elevation gain is around 1500 feet and the mileage is about 5 miles round trip from the town up to the “peak”. Once you start gaining elevation on the trail, you will start seeing some remarkable views and they only get better as you go higher!
One thing to note about hiking in Guatemala, you should always try to go with a guide! This is mostly for safety reasons as there are some known trails where bandits like to hang out and rob tourists, but also, a lot of trails (such as this one) aren’t well marked!
There are only a few companies such as Pedro’s Tours in Atitlan that take people up El Pico de Cielo, however you can also ask around and find a local to take you for much cheaper (which is what we did). It is well worth the effort!
Side note: Another great hike to do in the same area that might be a little easier on kids is the trail from Santa Cruz to Jaibalito. This trail takes you along the side of the mountain along the lake to the quaint village of Jaibalito with less elevation gain than El Pico de Cielo. Either way, both of these hikes are great outdoor activities in Lake Atitlan!
5. Go mountain biking
This is the one activity we really wanted to do, but didn’t get a chance to because we ran out of time. Lake Atitlan has some awesome mountain bike trails, so whether you want mostly downhill or a variety of terrain and difficulty, you can easily find a day tour that can accommodate your family and/or needs.
We would recommend going with Old Town Outfitters who offer some great tour options all over the lake. They even have one that combines biking and paddling if you want to mix it up. A great outdoor activity in Lake Atitlan that the whole family will be talking about for a long time!
6. Kayak
Kayaking is another awesome family outdoor activity to experience in Lake Atitlan, but like paddleboarding, we would recommend going in the morning when the lake is calmer. We chose to go with Kayak Guatemala, who operates out of Santa Cruz La Laguna. We spent a couple of blissful hours kayaking along the lakeshore and stopping at Jaibalito on our way back where we jumped off the dock and swam with the local kids.
highlight of our kayaking excursion.
Our guide was amazing and taught us a lot about the local villages (being a local himself!) surrounding the lake, but the real highlight was interacting with the children who live in Jaibalito and visit the dock everyday to swim! They loved climbing in the kayaks with us, and showing off their jumping skills off the dock! A true highlight for us on this tour.
Another thing worth mentioning about Kayak Guatemala is how the company started. Twenty years ago the owners started a non-profit called Amigos de Santa Cruz in which they provide support for education and economic empowerment to 7 indigenous villages around Lake Atitlan. They do this through various educational programs in the local schools to support higher education, build fair economies, teach employment skills and empower women entrepreneurs.
Lake Atitlan is the perfect place to do it!
It was so cool to hear some of the success stories that have come from Amigo’s efforts and how it has helped the communities here and we love supporting companies that are doing good in their communities. It was really neat to hear the backstory of this company and how important it is to them to build sustainable tourism in Guatemala, particularly around this lake.
Kayak Guatemala not only offers kayaking tours, but also provides kayaks for rent, along with other various activities such as rock climbing, hiking and other family-friendly excursions.
7. Try paragliding
Photo courtesy of Roger’s Tours.
We didn’t go paragliding while in Lake Atitlan, but we definitely wish we would have! What an epic experience to witness this lake from above while floating across the sky! Roger’s Tours and Real World Paragliding both offer tandem paragliding trips, and if you have a group of at least 4, we’ve heard that often they will give you a good discount!
8. Hike Volcano San Pedro
If you only have time for one hike while staying in Lake Atitlan, Volcano San Pedro should be top of your list. This volcano sits above the town of San Pedro La Laguna, located on the southwest side of the lake.
The best way to hike this volcano is to start early. For one, you will beat the heat, but also, you will experience less people on the trail if you start first thing in the morning (no later than 7AM!). This hike also has quite the elevation gain, so it’s best suited for kids who are experienced hikers or perhaps a little older. The trail climbs about 4,000 feet and is 5 miles round trip, so you do the math–that’s a lot of climbing!
It’s worth the effort though because you can experience some of the best views of the lake and also get to say that you did it! There is also a swing that is perfect for kids. Just like many other hikes around the lake, you will need a guide to hike San Pedro, but can hire a local one for cheap when you get there. San Pedro is an outdoor activity you will never forget in Lake Atitlan!
Bonus: Visit Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango, is worth mentioning here, even if it isn’t considered an “outdoor adventure” as the others on this list are. But is an experience you should definitely add to your list while visiting Lake Atitlan.
Chichicastango, otherwise known as “Chichi” to the people here, is a Mayan village located about 90 minutes away from Lake Atitlan tucked in the beautiful highlands of Guatemala. This vibrant village is made up of indigenous Mayans (something like 98% of the population) and their history and culture is truly fascinating with customs dating back centuries!
This church was built in 1540 over a Mayan temple (the steps in front of it are from that old temple). It is here where you can observe Catholic-Mayan rituals both inside and out. There are always people praying, swinging incense and chanting. We also visited their special ceremonial hill where they come to make offerings. And of course, the market was a feast for all the senses—from spices and traditional Mayan foods to colorful textiles and other handicraft everywhere you look.
The market at Chichi is only on Sundays and Thursdays and there are several companies in the towns around the lake that offer shuttle service (or even tours) to the village. It is truly an incredible cultural experience!
A Few More Important Notes
A few extra things to include in this guide. First of all, where should you stay? While all the major villages along the lake offer accommodations from hostels, hotels to Airbnb‘s (which is what we did) for ALL budgets, it depends on what you want in a town. If you book a hotel, make sure to book through Booking.com for the best rates!
If you like more of that hippie vibe, definitely consider staying in San Marcos or even San Pedro. If you enjoy a good nightlife, San Pedro might also be your spot. And if you want a bigger town with variety and access to more places, Panajachel is your best bet. Lastly, if you want to get away from it all, stay in Santa Cruz or even Jaibalito.
What time of year to visit? Any time is good as the temperature hovers about the same all year, however June-August is their wettest season. We heard from a few expats that live here that October and November is the best time of year to come because you beat the busy season, but you also get to enjoy lush greenery leftover from the wet season, while also enjoying good weather.
How long to spend at Lake Atitlan? Give yourself a few days at least, but most likely, be prepared to think that it isn’t enough time! Lake Atitlan has so much to offer both outdoors-wise and culturally, so if you can stay a week, that would be ideal! You can also combine with a trip to Semuc Champey, one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala, so make sure to check out 3 Days of Adventure in Semuc Champey.
We would also recommend spending a few days in Antigua, Guatemala (3 hours from Lake Atitlan) and Hiking Volcano Acatenango. One of the most epic experiences we’ve ever had!