Top Activities on the Ground in Western Highlands

Enjoy a true Guatemalan adventure during this full-day or half-day trip hiking and kayaking along the shores of Lake Atitlan. Explore the rich indigenous traditions of local villages on hikes to observe farmers tending to their coffee crops. You’ll also paddle the waters of the lake, watching fishermen ply the waters on hand-hewn boats, and spot the exotic array of plant and animal life that calls Lake Atitlan home. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even go for a cliff jump. Your Guatemala adventure covers all activities, a guide and round-trip hotel transport from Panjachel and Santa Cruz.

Watch the sunrise light up Lake Atitlan and the Volcanic Ring of Fire from one of the highest points at Lake Atitlan: Indian Nose. After pickup from your Panajachel lodging and a 90-minute drive through the highlands, take an easy 30-minute hike to the summit of Indian Nose, followed by a trip to Sacred Hunters Cave. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your hotel as well as all entrance fees and a professional guide.

This tour will be an immersion in the communal farms of the indigenous Mayan Tz'utujiles where we will learn about local ecological coffee techniques and the entire process step by step from planting, grain and cup. We will also walk through the streets of the colorful town of San Juan and among the coffee plots so we will get to know the history of coffee and its connection with indigenous communities.

An early morning hike is rewarded with stunning views of the sunrise over Lake Atitlan on this hike to Indian Nose from San Pedro La Laguna. See for yourself why this short but challenging hike is one of the most popular in the area as you scramble up to the lookout point. Going with a guide not only ensures that you don’t get lost, but is also recommended for safety reasons.

Once famously described as "too much of a good thing," Lake Atitlan's stunning beauty and broad diversity of towns can make it difficult for visitors to decide how best to see its attractions. This tour lets you see it all while connecting with the landscape and the local people in ways that few visitors get to do. After taking a boat from Panajachel to the small Mayan village of Tzununa, hop on a bike for a ride through the countryside, stopping to visit weaving cooperatives, coffee plantations, art galleries, and some of the best viewpoints on the Lake.

Sail through the lush vegetation surrounding Lake Atitlan on a 6-hour zipline excursion. After your guide collects you from your San Pedro la Laguna hotel, take an exciting ride on a colorful chicken bus. At the park, suit up in provided equipment, then get ready to fly. As you zoom through the forest, don’t forget to take in the surrounding volcanic chain and scenery of Lake Atitlan.

Tread where few tourists ever set foot on this 4-hour hiking tour amidst the stunning scenery and idyllic Mayan villages of the Lower Mayan Trail. Trace the same paths followed by the ancient Kaqchikel Mayans for centuries, passing by coffee and corn fields and the rugged, volcano-laden shoreline of Lake Atitlan. As you go, you’ll also immerse yourself in Mayan village life during stops in the hamlets of Tzununa, Jaibalito and Santa Cruz. This hiking trip also includes round-trip hotel transport from Panjachel.

Indian Nose is located in the northwestern corner of Lake Atitlan, one of Guatemala's top destinations The mountain divides the towns of San Juan La Laguna and Santa Clara La Laguna. it is one of the most epic sunrise viewpoints in Guatemala. The beauty of India's nose walk for those who aren't into it for a long haul is that the walk takes less than 30 minutes It's a short, inexpensive adventure with epic views and a great way to start your day of adventuring in the area.

One of the most beautiful locations in all of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is best explored outdoors. Start your day with a kayak or paddle board tour around the lake before hiking to a ziplining location on the lake’s rugged north shore. Choose from a scenic or extreme adventure as you soar past vistas of the lake, waterfalls, and volcanoes, completing your tour at the Nature Reserve.

Explore the small town village life and gorgeous scenery of Lake Atitlan during this 5-hour hiking excursion from Santa Cruz la Laguna to San Marcos. During the course of your trip you’ll observe local villagers tending to coffee and corn crops in area farm fields and pass through small Mayan hamlets like San Marcos, Tzununná and Jaibalito. Best of all your hike offers a chance to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of Lake Atitlan and its nearby volcanoes. This Lake Atitlan hiking adventure also covers one-way transfer to the start point, hotel pickup, guide and entrance fees.

Equal parts natural wonder and cultural landmark, Lake Chicabal is a top attraction for Quetzaltenango (Xela) area visitors. Hiking with a guide is not only the safest way to visit the crater lake—also a Mam Mayan ceremonial site—but also makes for the easiest transportation logistics straight from your Xela hotel.

Whether you’re an admirer of avian or if you just love a walk through lush forests, this walking tour around the trails of Lake Atitlan is a great option for low-impact travel. You’ll either meet your guide in Santiago or receive pickup from Panajachel via boat and begin a hike up the Rey Tepepul Trail. This forested trail features river and wildlife views, as well as opportunities to see locals tending to their farms.

Experience a different side of Lake Atitlan on this guided hike through the lush rainforests of the lower ridges of the Atitlan Volcano. Starting from Santiago Atitlan, this half-day private hike takes you from the shores of the volcanic caldera lake, deep into the tropical forest to a cascading waterfall. As you hike, keep your eyes peeled for colorful birds and monkeys.

Adventure lovers, this exciting tour will grant you a glimpse at Guatemala’s many towns along Lake Atitlan. You’ll start with a private boat ride from Panajachel to Jaibalito where you’ll then hike to Tzununa. Hop aboard a bicycle and cruise through four more villages, including San Juan and San Pablo. In San Pedro, you’ll hop in a kayak and paddle through Lake Atitlan before returning to Panajachel.

The tallest and least-summited volcano at Lake Atitlan, Volcan Atitlan offers better views and a more natural experience than its neighbors. Book your hike in advance to guarantee a high-quality guide who takes you through corn fields, coffee plantations, and stretches of wilderness on the way to the summit, sharing facts and insight about the area as you trek.

Not far from Antigua, Lake Atitlan is one of the deepest lakes in Central America and home to Mayan tribes. The villages surrounding the lake are each known for a handicraft, food, or tradition, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore them on two wheels. This motorcycle tour takes you from Panajachel around to Santiago, all while stopping at different villages and viewpoints around the lake.

Whether you consider yourself a connoisseur of coffee or you simply enjoy a fresh cup no matter where it’s from, you’ll love this coffee tour around Lake Atitlan. Wake up in ready for a cup and hop aboard a shared water taxi. Sail around Guatemala’s lake, stopping in Mayan villages for sips of locally grown and roasted coffee. Learn how to taste the different notes and flavors in each cup, all while discussing the process from bean to brew.

Learn all about Mayan culture on this guided tour to Mayan villages that you arrive at by boat. Your guide organizes logistics, including transport and lunch, so there’s no need for you to organize this separately. Your guide introduces you to villagers you might not meet on your own, who teach you about local textiles, chocolate processing, medicinal herbs and plants, and much more.

Embark on an adventurous day hike up the Toliman Volcano, known for its majestic peaks, lush forests, and an imploded crater. Commencing from the Santiago Atitlán market, the trail leads through maize plantations and into the tropical rainforest, providing a comprehensive and challenging experience. Discover the region's ecosystems and their vital contributions to local subsistence. Note: this tour is recommended for those with a strong fitness level.

Embark on an extraordinary birdwatching tour to El Mirador del Rey Tepepul and immerse yourself in the wonders of Guatemala's natural paradise. We invite you to join us on a journey filled with breathtaking vistas, rare sightings, and unforgettable moments. The highlight of our excursion is the opportunity to witness the majestic Quetzal, Guatemala's national bird. With luck on our side, we may catch a glimpse of this extraordinary creature, whose presence is a testament to the pristine beauty of the natural world. Keep your eyes wide open as we explore the forest, for there's a good chance of encountering other marvelous birds, including hummingbirds, migratory species, and the rich local fauna that call this place home. Immerse yourself in the lush cloud forest, where panoramic views of the lake and volcanoes provide a stunning backdrop to our birdwatching adventure. Join us at El Mirador del Rey Tepepul, where every moment is an invitation to be amazed by the beauty around us.

This is a tour that starts from Panajachel where in our office we will go to the ferry to take a public boat that will take us to the town of Tzununa, from there our bicycle adventure begins, visiting the towns of Tzununa, San Marcos, San Pablo, San Juan and San Pedro, on the bike tour stops will be made where you can appreciate panoramic views, you will also visit weavers, medicinal plants, colonial churches, and coffee plantations. The route has a total of 7 miles, so the bicycle tour lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours, the road that starts with dirt for approximately 3 miles later with a paved road, there are also ups and downs of small hills so It is recommended to be in good condition.

Enjoy a leisurely, laid-back, 3-hour cycling trip amidst the idyllic mountain villages near Panjachel. Spend most of your trip pedaling downhill, soaking up scenic views of Lake Atitlan, quiet rural roads and the tiny indigenous towns of Godinez and San Andres Semetabaj. With more than 98% of your cycling trip on downhill terrain, it’s a chill, easy, way to see a lot of scenery with minimal effort. Your ride includes a guide, bike and transport to the cycling start point.

The giant of the lake, with its stunning view of the lake and surrounding areas, offers a great experience for those who want to feel challenged and rewarded at the same time. Summit the peak and see nothing else but volcanic rock and amazing 360 vistas of the region. The perfect place to learn about the birth of Lake Atitlán, a violent history of volcanic eruptions dating back to 11 million years ago. Gaze at the starry night as it blends with the towns’ lights and sparks peace and joy.