How To Get To Lake Atitlan — ALONG DUSTY ROADS

How To Get To Lake Atitlan From Antigua

Most standalone Guatemala itineraries kick off by flying into Guatemala City’s La Aurora Airport, before travelling on to the nearby beautiful colonial city of Antigua, and that’s what we suggest doing if it’s your first time in the country.

Lake Atitlán is a popular (and sensible) next stop after Antigua for many types of traveller, and there are multiple daily shuttles running between them; the more adventurous, budget-conscious, or slow traveller can also do it with public transport.

Public Transport | We ride local buses all the time in Central America, and all but two of our journeys on this last month-long Guatemala trip were done by ‘chicken bus’. You can find all the main tips for travelling better and safer on them in this post.

There are no direct options from Antigua to Atitlan, and the quickest route is to change bus in Los Encuentros and Solalà.

In Antigua, go to the main bus station next to the Mercado Central (here on Google Maps) and ask for a bus going to ‘Los Encuentros’: you may get lucky with a direct bus or have to take one going to Chimaltenango (Chima) and change there.

From Los Encuentros, it’s a 30-minute drive to Solalà, where you connect to your final bus onward to Panajachel.

· Antigua > Chimaltenango | 30-45 minutes, 5-10Q

· Chimaltenango > Los Enceuntros | 60-90 minutes, 10Q

· Los Enceuntros > Solalà | 30 minutes, 5Q

· Solalà > Panajachel | 30 minutes, 5Q

· Total Time & Cost | 2.5 – 3.5 hours, 30-40Q each

The buses have no strict timetable, but if you turn up from 8am onward, you likely won’t be waiting too long. Note that bus changes are by the side of the road, but it’s clear where to wait and there are usually other people around to ask. Destinations are written on the front of buses, while the ayudante will often shout them out on approach – do always double-check before putting bags on and boarding though!

Shuttles from Antigua to Lake Atitlan | Various companies offer daily shuttle bus departures, starting from 5am. There’s usually another one or two morning departures, then a couple in the early afternoon.

Travel time is 2.5 – 3.5 hours to Panajachel, and 3.5 – 4.5 hours to San Pedro.

Tickets cost in the region of $20-25 USD.

Unless you want to stay in Panajachel for the night, we recommend taking a morning departure to ensure you make the connecting boat across Lake Atitlán to your final destination.

You will need to book your seat at least a day in advance,…