San Juan La Laguna is a charming and colourful town located on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Known for its vibrant indigenous culture, stunning natural beauty, and thriving art scene, San Juan La Laguna offers a wide range of activities and experiences.
Why I decided to stay in San Juan La Laguna
Deciding on where to stay in Lake Atitlan wasn’t easy. As I began researching online, I soon realised that there are a lot of options. In total, eleven towns surround the lake. That’s a lot of choice, eh? And when I factored in the vast array of accommodation, my decision felt even harder to narrow down.
First of all, I needed to decide on the town I want to stay in. I didn’t want to be anywhere too busy and touristy, nor did I want to stay in the quietest place. Most of all, I wanted somewhere relaxing that was close to nature and give an insight into local culture.
So which place around Lake Atitlan encapsulated my wants and needs the most?
After thoroughly researching my options, I settled on San Juan La Laguna. It turned out to tick all the boxes. After a tough climb up Acatenango and a sleepless night at 4000m the day before, the breathtaking views of Lake Atitlan provided the perfect remedy. Relaxation was my priority.
San Juan La Laguna has committed a lot of time and energy into making the town feel quaint, colourful, and clean. While still lively (particularly since I was there during Easter Week), the town has a less touristic vibe as opposed to Panajachel or San Pedro which focus more on nightlife.
Where to stay in San Juan La Laguna
I stayed at Eco Hotel Uxlabil. It’s located in a relatively secluded area of San Juan La Laguna on the shores of Laka Atitlan.
The location is superb. Truly one of the best views from any property I’ve ever stayed at anywhere in the world. It’s all about the mountain and lake views, so if that’s what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed.
Walls are painted in bright colours and Mayan patterns to give it a sense of personality. Dotted around the shared spaces are a selection of hammocks for that much loved holiday vibe. Best of all, the garden is an oasis of sorts, brimming with lush vegetation and a variety of tropical flowers.
Attention is placed on character, rather than luxury. The rooms were spacious and clean and the showers had hot water. It doesn’t, however, have the high standard furnishings that some people might be after, so I recommend looking elsewhere on booking.com if you fancy something more upscale.
My favourite part of the hotel was the dining and breakfast room. I could have literally spent the whole day peering out at the view from the breakfast bar.
The hotel is a short walk from the main town, but they have their own pier for boat drop-off on request. They also provide some free kayaks for a trip out onto the shimmering waters of Lake Atitlan whenever you like.
Here are the best things to do in San Juan La Laguna
1. Explore the Local Art and Murals
San Juan La Laguna is an explosion of colour thanks to its exuberant street art. The town is filled with murals that depict the rich cultural heritage, history, and daily life of the local Tz’utujil people. The Tz’utujil are the dominant ethnic Manyan groups that settled around the lake.
Take a self-guided or guided tour to explore the colourful murals scattered throughout the town. Each mural tells a story and reflects the community’s values and traditions. They are a joy to see and this also make the town centre incredibly photogenic.
There are numerous galleries where you can view and purchase works by local artists. Many of these paintings feature traditional themes and are created using natural dyes. One of the most well-known galleries is Arte Maya Xocomeel on Calle Chi Nima Ya’, which showcases the work of local artists.
2. Learn About Traditional Weaving
The traditional patterns and clothes worn by Mayans give the country a strong visual identity. It’s one of the things I loved most about Guatemala.
The women of San Juan La Laguna are known for their skill in traditional backstrap weaving, using techniques passed down through generations. Backstrap weaving is used in the region for traditional huipiles (the beautiful blouses worn by women) and more garments and cloths.
In San Juan, take the opportunity to visit one or more Weaving Cooperatives. Several cooperatives offer demonstrations of the weaving process, from spinning the cotton to dyeing it with natural colours and weaving it into intricate designs. These cooperatives also sell beautiful textiles, including scarves, bags, hats and clothing.
If you’re looking for gifts to bring back home, there’s no shortage of places. All are reasonably priced and and made to the highest quality. Among my favourite place for textiles I visited was Ruk’u’x Keem (address: 6ta ave san Juan la laguna solola 07017).
Take a Weaving Workshop: For a hands-on experience, consider taking a weaving workshop at Asociación Kemo or Ruk’u’x Keem where you can learn to create your own small textile piece.
3. Kayak on Lake Atitlán
If you’re pining for more adventure, be sure to crack out a kayak on Lake Atitlan. Kayaking offers a super fun way to explore the lake and enjoy the stunning scenery from a different perspective.
This activity provides a great work out too. Though if you’re feeling a little lazy, you can chill and let the gentle waves move you along. My favourite memory from Lake Atitlan was leaning back in my kayak, forgoing the rowing, and tilting my head back to soak up the sunshine. Pure bliss!
Watching the light bounce off the water came in at a close second. Just be sure to put on loads of sunscreen. I forgot to apply properly and my legs looked like lobsters for days!
Kayak Rentals: While I was able to use the kayaks available for free at my hotel, several places in San Juan La Laguna offer kayak rentals by the hour or day. Paddle along the shoreline, explore hidden coves, and take in the views of the surrounding volcanoes and mountains. If you don’t feel confident by yourself, you can also join a kayaking tour with a local guide.
4. Hike to Indian Nose
The hike to Indian Nose (Nariz del Indio) offers one of the most spectacular views of Lake Atitlán and the surrounding volcanoes. Well, or so I’ve been told. When I reached the top, the entire view was shrouded by clouds. On a clear day you can supposedly see 8 volcanoes – I could barely see one! Oh well, I still really enjoyed the hike, and if you decide to do it, I hope you are blessed with clear skies!
Sunrise Hike: Many visitors opt to start the hike before dawn to reach the summit in time for sunrise. Alternatively, like me, you could do a sunset hike. However, remember that if the weather isn’t great, you have less time at the top to wait for things to improve before heading back down – for this reason I recommend setting off early for sunrise.
5. Experience Local Coffee Culture
Crazy about coffee? San Juan La Laguna is home to some excellent coffee plantations, where you can learn about the coffee production process from bean to cup.
Unfortunately I didn’t factor enough time in to do this tour, but I’ve read some great things about it on TripAdvisor and wanted to put this in my list in case it’s something others are interested in. You’ll have the chance to see how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed, and enjoy a fresh cup of locally grown coffee.
6. Kaqasiiwaan Viewpoint
If you don’t have time for the Indian Nose hike, the 360-degree panorama at Kaqasiiwaan viewpoint is an excellent alternative. It’s 308 steps to reach the top and takes approximately 20 minutes from the trailhead. The stairs add a sense of joy to the journey, with each one painted in unique indigenous motifs and continuing onto the viewing platform.
At the top is a giant mirror-clad cross and a statue of the Virgin Mary, a reminder of the viewpoint’s religious origin. This spot used to be called Hill of Cross (El Cerro del La Cruz), explaining why it is also popular among locals. This is an easy hike suitable for all levels of fitness.
7. Take a Boat Tour of Lake Atitlán
Exploring Lake Atitlán by boat is a must-do activity when in San Juan La Laguna. Take a boat tour around the lake to visit other nearby towns such as San Pedro La Laguna, Santiago Atitlán, or Santa Cruz La Laguna. Each town has its own unique atmosphere and attractions.
- Private Boat Hire: Alternatively, you can hire a private boat for a more personalized experience, allowing you to set your own pace and explore lesser-known spots around the lake.
8. Visit the Catholic Church & Main Plaza
Arguably the central meeting point of San Juan is the main plaza, and at its heart is the stone Catholic Church. Since I was fortunate to visit the town during Holy Week for Easter, I saw large crowds gather here to witness the week-long ceremonies.
If you’re not aware, Guatemala is home to the biggest Holy Week festivals in Latin America, and only second to Spain in the world. It’s a true spectacle that I’m going to write about in a separate blog post to give justice to the whole experience.
The Catholic church of San Juan has a rich history in its own right. The original church dates back to the colonial era. It was an important religious centre by 1787. In a sad turn of events, the original church was destroyed by an earthquake on April 2, 1902, but was rebuilt in 1969. Behind the church towers the Indian Nose mountain, making the whole scene extremely picturesque. Speaking of visual beauty, be sure to look out for the trees shaped like love hearts in the Main Square.
9. Relax and Enjoy the Tranquility
Most of all, San Juan La Laguna is the ideal place to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Atitlán. I think I struck particularly lucky by staying at Eco Hotel Uxlabil, which is all about relaxation. Whether it was lounging on a peer, dipping my toes in the waters, or enjoying the sunset with a view of the volcanoes, I had it all on my doorstep. Simply looking at the water and mountain views made me feel a sense of peace.
Would I recommend staying in San Juan La Laguna?
Definitely! San Juan La Laguna is a vibrant, culturally rich town with a wide range of activities to suit a diverse range of interests. If you’re particularly interested in art, nature, or relaxing by the lake, it’s a good place to position yourself while visiting Lake Atitlan. It’s not too busy nor too quiet either – it’s just right as Goldilocks would say.
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