Two gentle outings from the lake's main town: a shaded loop of hanging bridges, waterfall and butterflies in the Reserva Natural Atitlán, and a quiet road above the water from the painted village of Santa Catarina to potters' San Antonio Palopó.
On the edge of Panajachel, a former coffee estate has become a small reserve. A shaded loop crosses hanging bridges over a ravine, passes a waterfall, a butterfly dome and a monkey enclosure, and ends at a private beach on the lake. Entry costs about Q80 and it opens from 8am to 5pm; it is a good loop for children, and for birders at seven in the morning.
East of Panajachel, a quiet paved road runs above the water between Santa Catarina Palopó, whose houses are painted in the blues and greens of its weaving, and San Antonio Palopó, known for its glazed pottery and its terraced onion fields falling to the shore. The volcanoes stand across the lake the whole way. Tuk-tuk back to Panajachel.
Combine both in a relaxed day from Panajachel.
Walk or tuk-tuk to the reserve entrance at the west end of town and start the loop early for birds.
Cross the hanging bridges, visit the waterfall and the butterfly dome, and finish at the reserve's lakeside beach.
Take a tuk-tuk east to Santa Catarina Palopó and wander its painted lanes and church.
Walk the quiet road south-east above the lake, with the volcanoes opposite and onion terraces below.
Browse the pottery workshops in San Antonio, then catch a tuk-tuk back to Panajachel.
Tuk-tuks wait on Calle Santander; agree the fare to Santa Catarina or back from San Antonio before setting off.
The reserve also has a zipline and a small café; arrive at opening for birds and quiet trails.
The road walk is quiet; go in daylight and keep to the roadside.
Lake Atitlán practical notes →Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their licences.
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