Getting to Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City
Getting to Lake Atitlan
Most people traveling to Lake Atitlan will arrive by shuttle, chicken bus, or car. The lake is 3-4 hours from Guatemala City and 2 hours from Antigua. We arrived by car from Guatemala City airport. Our Airbnb host helped us to arrange a private transfer from the airport to the property for $130/one-way.
Departing From Guatemala City by Car
- Private transfer, rental car, taxi, or Uber is the most expensive option but also the most convenient. Your hotel or Airbnb can help arrange
- The journey takes 3-4 hours and costs between $130-$170
- Ubers can be called anywhere in the city and if departing from the airport there are many taxis to choose from
- Your hotel or Airbnb in Lake Atitlan can help arrange private car pickup from the airport or your hotel in Guatemala City
- PRO TIP: exchange for local currency at the airport
Departing By Shared Shuttle
- The shared shuttle from Guatemala City to Panajachel takes 5 hours and departs at 6AM, 9:30 AM, and 1:30 PM
- $42/one-way with pickup from the airport to Panajachedl
- $42/one-way with pick up from your Guatemala City hotel to Panajachel
- PRO TIP: From the Panajachel dock you can take a ferry to any of the other towns in the area
- The shared shuttle from Guatemala City to San Marcos La Laguna takes 7 hours and departs once daily at 6 AM
- $42/one-way with pick up from your Guatemala City hotel to San Marcos La Laguna
- PRO TIP: San Marcos Laguna is home to popular Baba Yaga AirBnB
- The shared shuttle from Guatemala City to Santiago Atitlan takes 7 hours and departs once daily at 6 AM
- $59/one-way with pick up from your Guatemala City hotel Santiago Atitlan
- The downside to the shared shuttle is that it takes longer to arrive as it will make stops along the way to pick up or drop off passengers, but it’s a cheaper alternative to the private transfer. If you’re a large group, though, you should consider the previous option as it’s more comfortable and financially convenient as well
Departing by Chicken Bus
- The cheapest option is by Chicken Bus but it is not recommended
- The journey by Chicken bus is a bumpy, often uncomfortable, and not-so-safe one.
- These colorful buses make plenty of stops along the way and the drivers don’t care much for speed limits even on mountainous roads. The buses can be crowded and loud and you will have to watch out for pickpocketing
- Cost for the Chicken Bus is around $5/person and you can catch the bus at 21 Calle and 1A Avenida
Day Trip from Guatemala city
- If you are short on time an alternative to visiting Lake Atitlan is by joining a tour
- Viator has various tour options including a full-day Chichicastenango Maya Market and Lake Atitlan tour that we’ve previously done
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