Located in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Pen Y Fan is a scenic route that is suitable, Read More Pen Y Fan Walk: Everything You Need To KnowContinue, Going interrailing alone? You wont need to stop along the way (unless you want to) and you can tell them whichever town you want to go to. The main transport hub for Lake Atitln is Panajachel, around two hours drive from Antigua. And another popular location is to actually stay in Panajachel, Lake Atitlans main town. With 12 different Mayan villages surrounding this lake, its easy to spend a weekend or even months soaking up the nature and slow pace of life. Taking a Shared Shuttle Bus From Antigua to Lake Atitlan, Chicken Buses to Lake Atitlan From Antigua, Getting a Rental Car and Driving Yourself, Taking a Guided Tour From Antigua Guatemala. Were Matt and Ashley, the American-Aussie couple behind this blog. However, the drive to Panajachel can be quite tricky, with lots of winding mountain roads through tiny villages and the usual crazy traffic. It seems pretty hard to find and book a tour from US since I'm not getting a. There are a couple of ways to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan some are easy and some are difficult (involving multiple stops and transfers). Guatemala is known for its chicken buses, which are old school buses donated from the USA. It will still take three to three and a half hours under normal traffic conditions. There are so many companies to choose from its pretty easy to find one and they are all relatively the same price. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. In our guide, we will show you the 6 best ways to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan. Hotel pick up and drop-off is included. Granted you do get the driver for the day which is best for a roundtrip journey but if its a one-way journey, its simply not worth the money. You wont have to carry much gear (other than a day pack), as they transport your heavy bags and camping supplies for you. If youre traveling to Lake Atitlan from Antigua Guatemala, there are multiple transportation options available, from a private car to a tourist transfer to more unusual modes of travel. We absolutely loved our itinerary, he", Traveled to Guatemala as a couple in March, 2023, "I can't say enough good things about this trip and experience! ), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps! If youre trying to get from Guatemala City to Atitln, Ive got you covered as well. You can also take a shuttle to San Marcos or San Pedro on the other side of the lake. The most popular villages to get dropped off are Panajachel and San Pedro. The distance from Antigua in Guatemala to Lake Atitlan is 54.3 miles (87.4 km), and you can make the journey in approximately 3 hours. The journey lasts around 4.5 hours and the ticket costs $27. Unfortunately, the main towns around the lake (including Panajachel and San Pedro) have a high level of pollution and trash in the water. Again take some Dramamine if it really affects you! Whichever option you go with, they will: There are several ways to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan but I wont bother sharing the difficult transportation options that could give you a headache, stress or even worse get you lost! Catherina did a wonderful job planning a week in Guatemala with an itinerary that was customiz", Traveled to Guatemala as a family in April, 2023, "Catherina put together a great trip for us and was very responsive to our feedback and worked super hard to give us a unique trip within budget. 4.4/5 (23) More information about reviews More information about reviews. If you are staying in Panajachel, check your Google maps to see which drop-off point is easier. Simply hop in and sit tight for the drive and, Drop you off at a specific town around the lake, Lake Atitlan to Aurora International Airport, Aurora International Airport to Lake Atitlan. Interrailing is one of the best ways to see Europe, and will always be my go-to when I want to explore more of the most diverse continent on the planet. By: Due South Travels 106 Melanie B 0 0 Reliable clean ride I honestly didnt expect it be so fantastic. But if you dont, then no, its not as touristy! One of the people on our shared shuttle almost (maybe he did but I didnt want to look) puked from the drive. Most are painted in exuberant colors, adorned with chrome and sport LED lights, sound systems, and sexy stickers. The shuttles hold around 16-25 people andare full of other backpackers. Shuttles from Antigua to Panajachel and Lake Atitlan by Antigua Tours. Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. Be sure to stop at some of the viewpoints along the way to admire the three volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitln. Each Sunday you'll receive an email with the latest nomad news, digital nomad lifestyle tips, new destination guides and work online tips to ease you into your week. The total travel time by chicken bus is around 6-7 hours. There are 4 daily services, the first one departing at 5.30 AM and the last one at 4 PM. The chicken bus is the cheapest transfer Antigua-Lake Atitlan at only $6, although its not the most comfortable nor the safest option. It takes longer because it will stop at several different hotels to pick up passengers and then drop them off, and it isnt as comfortable as having your own car or van, but contrarily to the private transfer, you can take the shuttle from Antigua to Panajachel, to San Marcos La Laguna, or to Santiago Atitlan, so your options are wider. You can also check with your hotel or hostel for the most up-t0-date information and directions on where to catch the bus. Welcome! I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Unless there is an accident or other delays, this transport method will take 2 to 3 hours from your pickup address to your local address in Atitln. How To Get Back From Lake Atitlan To Antigua? Chicken buses from Antigua to Chimal start early in the morning, but you don't need to hurry. A lot of Guatemalan tours also include a day or two on Lake Atitln, like this 8-day Best of Guatemala trip. We were shocked at how much they charge for a private car with a driver in Guatemala. Lake Atitlan is a beautiful destination in Guatemala, worth the visit not only for the spectacular scenery but for its charming villages and variety of attractions. There is plenty to do in the area, whether youre looking for thrilling watersports or a relaxing time by the lake, but how do you get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan in the first place? If you head to the tourist bars, restaurants and cafes, then yes, its touristy. Price of the service: The price is $30.00 per person. I am an Italian expatriate with a Mexican permanent Residence. Looking for a car rental in Guatemala?Check out our recommended car rental company here! Bear in mind that you need to add on at least an extra 30 minutes to the journey for pick-ups in Antigua, so youll either end up getting a scenic tour of the city if youre first to be picked up, or you might end up waiting a while if youre last on the list! Renting your own car gives you freedom and flexibility. Yes, you do! You can easily board a shuttle in the lake town of Panajachel, where the reliable shuttle company Atitrans operates multiple daily . People buy them for cheap in the United States and drive them all the way to Guatemala to be used for public transport. Back. Check them out! Its fairly straightforward and a pretty safe option for people. Uber is not available anywhere throughout the lake villages which means youre not likely to get someone to pick up the request. Its also safer during the day, you can begin to be aware of your surroundings and actually see what its like. It's still very cost-effective. Taking a shuttle bus from Antigua to Lake Atitln is relatively easy and convenient, but can be a little cramped and uncomfortable. Keep in mind that the area of Lake Atitlan is 130 square kilometers big! If you want a cost-effective, direct and less-crowded transport option to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan, the shared van shuttle is your best option! Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. They will pick you up from your accommodation and drop you off in Panajachel, San Marcos, or San Pedro, or at the boat dock where you will be able to jump on the next lancha to your final destination. The one good thing about a rental car is you can stop anywhere you want and admire the stunning landscapes this region is known for. Solo Female Travellers Advice, Acatenango Hike Difficulty: COMPLETE Guide, OX Expeditions Guatemala Review: Volcano Hikes + More, Banos To Guayaquil (Ecuador) Complete Guide & Routes 2023, Banos To Cuenca (Ecuador) Full Guide & Routes In 2023, 2 Weeks In Ecuador: Routes, Itineraries & Guides! If you are short on time, then renting a car and driving yourself from Antigua to Lake Atitln can be a good way to see as much as possible and stop en-route as much as you like. You will just need to tell the captain when boarding! Panajachel is the only town in the area where private transfers arrive, so if youre staying in any other town, the driver will leave you at Panajachel dock where you can take a public boat or arrange a boat transfer with your hotel to get to your final destination. The distance between Antigua and Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) is around 80km and is a 2-hour drive. Born and raised in Italy, I have been living in many different countries for 4 years and in Cancun Mexico for 7 until in 2017 I decided to leave my office job and explore the world, with lots of bags and a camera. From these two towns, there are lanchas every 15-30 minutes to take you to the other towns. Its less crowded than taking a chicken bus. CONTACT: Isabella @ boundlessroads.com | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube, Best Car Rental Deals w/ Free Cancellation, Compare & Save! It may not be the most economical option for making the journey, but it will be a memorable one. Plus, driving in another country can be a fun way to add spice to your trip. The trick with the chicken bus is that there is only one direct bus per day at 7 AM (Guatemala time, meaning plus or minus 1 hour). STAYING IN SAN PEDRO, SANTA CRUZ OR ANYWHERE ELSE ON LAKE ATITLAN? This is Isabella, a serious case of wanderlust! Now we have established which village in Lake Atitlan we will be going to from Antigua, we will now talk away the different ways to go there. El Salvadors new president, Read More El Tunco El Salvador: COMPLETE Guide 2023Continue, A detailed guide to planning and booking a trip around Europe, whether youre travelling solo, in a couple or with a friend! 2. But Panajachel is easy to walk around, and there are tuk-tuks if you get lost! If youre the more adventurous type,travelling via chicken bus in Guatemala should be on your bucket list. payment Price US$47.00 P/P. We came from San Cristobal de las Casas to Lake Atitlan and we got dropped off at 9pm in Panajachel. Trip time usually is between 2 and a half to three hours. Guatemalans have painted and turned these school buses intopublic party buses. It is safe, and efficient, and only costs about $25 to $35. We also found a few nights in Lake Atitlan was enough for us to do and see everything we wanted. Make sure you alwaysread the reviews first. From Panajachel, you will need to catch one of the local boats or a tuk tuk to the village you are staying. We got several quotes and they were all over $80 USD. The nice thing about the shared shuttle buses is that they pick you up at your accommodation in Antigua, so you dont have to find the exact spot to get on the bus. Yes, you can get a shuttle from Lake Atitlan to Rio Dulce, although shuttles for this journey can be hard to find. Lake Atitlan is around 2.5 to 3 hours away from Antigua. Looking for information about the Pen Y Fan walk? There are many different ways to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan, but for the best value-for-money option, a shared shuttle transport is the best option. My favorite way to enjoy a destination! Shuttles from Antigua usually leave at 5:30 am, 8:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 4 pm every day. You can also make requests according to your specific wants and needs. Personally, I recommendSafetyWing. Here are the 3 best options to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan with ease. Im not a big traveler so I just went with knowing what I was told. Planning A Trip To Lake Atitlan Last Minute? The shuttle to Panajachel takes around 3 hours to arrive, and the one-way trip costs $25. person_pin Pick Up-Drop off: Hotel to Hotel. The best and safest way to travel from Antigua to Lake Atitlan is via shuttle bus. There are different villages scattered around the lake, most of which are only accessible by lancha(small boats) or helicopter. The lake itself is surrounded by three volcanoes, studded with tiny villages, and is rich in Mayan culture. The best way to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan is by booking a shared van shuttle. While driving from Antigua to Lake Atitlan, you can expect a bunch of bumps on the road and insanely crooked roads like the one pictured below! This is me Living Out Loud(Lau). 8-34 Zona 1 Quetzaltenango, Guatemala +502 5729-6279. If you are staying in any of the other towns around the lake (Santa Cruz, San Pedro etc), you will need to take a lancha (boat) see more in the arriving in Lake Atitlan from Antigua section. Shuttles Hikes . Its not unheard of for backpackers to come down with food poisoning and sickness when visiting Lake Atitlan, mainly caused by the lake water. You can use the same shared shuttle service to get you back to Antigua from Lake Atitlan. Expect personal travel stories, backpacking tips + the latest travel inspiration! Most taxis and Ubers will drop you off in the main towns, like Panajachel, San Pedro, or San Marcos. Boarding a shared van shuttle is the first and most convenient choice when you're traveling from Lake Atitlan to Antigua and seeking an affordable and hassle-free transportation option!. I have a STRONG preference for heading from Antigua to Panajachel and taking a lancha across to San Pedro. A newsletter for digital nomads! Q10 = $1.28 (US) / $1.74 (CAD) / 1.21 (Prices as of February 2023) Direct Bus from Antigua to Panajachel 3 hours Q30/36 per person It was an easy journey and they pick you up from your hotel/Airbnb. Your accommodation in Lake Atitlan could be in San Marcos, which is almost an entire lake away from another village like Panajachel. Note: If you get motion sickness easily, then the direct chicken bus to Lake Atitln is a ticket to hell! Lanchas on Lake Atitlan go to all areas around the lake (San Pedro, Santa Cruz, San Juan etc), and stop at private docks if you are staying in a specific hotel that is not close to a main town. They usually come with a functioning air-conditioning, ideal for hot weather in Guatemala. For a trip to remember, check out this amazing eight-day Luxury and Mayan Culture in Guatemala Tour that includes a flight to Lake Atitln and a helicopter tour over the amazing El Mirador ruins. If you're . How is the drive from Antigua to Lake Atitlan? Getting from Antigua to Guatemala Private Shuttle Bus However, the rainy season in Guatemala is fromMay to October, but rain can last until later in the year (even as far as December), so if you want to avoid the rain, January to May is the best time to visit. Lake Atitlan is a beautiful lake located in Guatemalas highland mountains. Yes, chicken buses arent exactly safe and reliable, as most of them break down more often than anyone would like. Here are some answers and tips to the questions we asked ourselves when trying to get across. As digital nomads in Lake Atitlan, we were paying 50-60 per night for a private room, and around 25 (for 2 people) at a meal in a restaurant. ", How to Get from Lake Atitlan to Semuc Champey, How to Get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitln, How to Get from Guatemala City to Semuc Champey, How to Get from Guatemala City to Panajachel, How to Get from Lake Atitlan to Tikal National Park, How to Get from Antigua to Guatemala City, How to Get from Tikal National Park to Guatemala City, How to Get from Tikal National Park to Semuc Champey, Best of Guatemala: Antigua, Lake Atitln & Tikal - 8 Days, Luxury & Maya Culture in Guatemala - 8 Days, Guatemalan Highlands: Antigua, Lake Atitln & Tikal - 7 Days, Multi-Sport Adventure in Guatemala - 8 Days. There are plenty of tour companies that offer day trip tours. There are many different ways to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan, but for the best value-for-money option, a shared shuttle transport is the best option. Heres the thing: The lanchas (boat taxi) stop going across the lake from around 5pm because its too dangerous with the waves and wind conditions. Talk about a nightmare! Book in advance, wait for your hotel pickup and be on your way to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Why? We are so excited and grateful for all the reviews and questions we've read on this forum. After our trip to Antigua, we headed to Lake Atitlan. Its a great way to see a lot in a short period of time. There is one bus that leaves from the main bus station near the market in Antigua at 7 am and goes directly to Panajachel. You can easily use the Google Translate app to write a message and/or read their messages in Spanish! For those that are unfamiliar with chicken buses, they are old refurbished school buses from the United States. Shuttles depart Antigua for Lake Atitlan a few times through the day. There are travel agents around Antigua where you can book your shuttle, or you can pre-book online here. TOP TIP: Staying at Free Cerveza saved us a lot of money, as all of the activities were free, and all meals were under 10 per person! Shared shuttle - between Antigua and Panajachel, Lake Atitlan. Riding the bus is extremely bumpy and fast. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey, I am Sean Lau! Unfortunately, theres a high level ofcyanobacteriaand phosphorousin Lake Atitlan, from the fertiliser and sewage around the lake. Renting a car is probably a better option if you just want to go out to the lake for a day trip before returning to Antigua in the afternoon. BOOK IT HERE. 14 Reviews Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala Share Save to Wishlist Likely to Sell Out From $60.00 Price varies by group size Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Apart from that, the journey from Antigua to Lake Atitlan is pretty easy (especially if you go with any of the options below). Looking for some travel insurance for Guatemala?Check out our recommendation here! With a poor maintenance record and no regard for speed limits, even up on the winding mountain roads, safety is far from guaranteed, and you will need to pay close caution to your belongings as pickpocketing is rife. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to get our latest content by email.
Breaking News Lasalle, Il, Why Fish Live In Water And Not On Land, 4-week Treasury Bill Rate, Articles S