Lake Atitlan: what to do and how to do it

Lake Atitlan is a popular spot for backpackers and is convenient to reach from most places in Guatemala.
In this video I attempt to explain everything about the lake: the various towns in which you can stay, what prices to expect for various activities and food, how to get there via public or private transport, and the famous Spanish immersion courses offered around the lake.
The main town is called San Pedro. It is on the west side of Atitlan and is home to the famous Mr. Mullets party hostel, where they have boat parties on the lake.
The town has many food and drinks options and is quite colorful. There are also a few volcano hikes that you can do and you can sign up for a two or three week Spanish immersion course for a few hundred dollars. In these, you live with a host family and they teach you and of course, speak to you entirely in Spanish.
The next most popular town is Santa Cruz. This is where the famous Free Cerveza hostel is located. They provide free beer with dinner every night, it is under $20 US. They also have paddle boards and swimming areas. I did not stay there but it looked great.
Panajachel is on the east side of the lake and has a Selina hostel, but it was mostly families when I walked by. This town is easily connected with Xela and Antigua by private shuttle but the town is not pretty and the lake is not swimmable on that side (too dirty).
Hostels are between $15-20 US and you get what you pay for. Lots of people come to Atitlan to party. The food we found to be cheaper than Antigua, meals can be had for under $8 US, with more western options like burgers and chicken.
San Pedro and Panajachel are both well connected to Antigua by shuttle, which is the most common way that backpackers travel across Guatemala. Rides one way are around $25 US to or from Antigua.
The other smaller towns are at the foot of mountains and this makes them less accessible. So you have to arrive to one of the two bigger ones and take a boat that stops at every little town along the way. It is a pretty ride and to go across the lake takes one hour and costs $3 US.
→Follow my adventures: www.instagram....
→Check out my travel TikToks: / kellnercrashes
More Atitlan videos:
→Lake Atitlan Overview: • Lake Atitlan: what to ...
→What to do: • What To Do In Lake Ati...
→San Pedro Hike: • San Pedro Volcano Hike...
→4K tour: • Lake Atitlan 4K Tour
#guatemala #lakeatitlan #centralamerica