Guatemala Lake Atitlan Panajachel

The town of Panajachel, often called Pana for
short, is located on the northeastern shore of
Lago de Atitlan in southwestern Guatemala and
is possibly one of the most visited places in
the country. The lake itself is formed from a
collapsed volcanic crater and stands at an
altitude of over 1,500 m. The town was founded
by the Spanish in the 16th century after
defeating the local Tz?ujil tribe that lived there.
They then used the town as a base for their
mission to convert the indiginous people into
Catholics. In the 1060? the town became very
popular with tourists and hippies, who would
stay for long periods of time. Many of them left
during the civil war but since it ended 1996 they
have returned again. Nowadays it almost seems
like there are more tourists than locals here and
the town has in fact been nicknamed
"Gringotenango",which means "place of
Gringoes". The main street, Calle Santander, is
lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and souvenir
shops and stalls. However, the original Catholic
church, built by the Spanish in the 16th century
still stands. The church is dedicated to San
Francisco As? and the saint? day is celebrated
every year in Panajachel on the 4th of October.

There are plenty of internet places in Panajachel including several on Calle Santander. Most charge around US$ 1.5 an
hour. There are a number of banks in Panajachel that provide all services. The Banco de Comercio on Calle Principal
changes Dollars, traveller checks and also has an ATM.

Sights
Reserva Natural Atitlan
About 1 km north of Panajachel? Centre, this nature reserve has some clearly marked trails for hiking. There is also an
aviary and a butterfly farm.

Boat trips
Tours around the lake can be arranged from most tour agencies in the town. Alternatively you can go down to the lake
shore and arrange it yourself with the boats there. A whole day tour around the lake, stopping at various town start from
around US$ 10 per person.

Bicycle Hire
There are a number of places that rent bikes along Calle Santander. Prices are around US$ 10 per day. The next
town around the lake is Santa Catarina and is about 5 km away over hilly roads. You can also continue to San Antonio,
another 5 or 6 km, where the road ends.

ATI Divers
This diving unit offers diving trips and also does a PADI Certification course, lasting four days, for US$ 175. They are
based in Santa Cruz La Laguna at the north of the lake but have an office in Panajachel, about two thirds of the way up
Calle Santander from the lake.

Accommodation
The main road in town is Calle Santander and runs from the bus stop down to the lake. It is lined with numerous hotels
and hospedajes, most not particularly cheap.

Hospedaje de San Francisco
Tel: (502) 762 2007
Double: US$ 10
One of the cheapest places in town, two blocks up from the lake on Calle Santander (the main road to the lake). Rooms
have shared bathrooms.

Hotel Villa Martita
Single: US$ 10
Double: US$ 20
Next to the San Francisco.

Transport

Boat
Boats to all other towns on the lake leave from the shore at Panajachel (turn left at the end of Calle Santander). There
are two routes around the lake. One goes south to Santiago Atitl?, the other travels anti-clockwise around the lake for
destinations such as San Marcos and San pedro. A journey to anywhere on the lake should cost no more than US$ 2.

Bus
To Guatemala City
Transportes R?uli run 10 direct buses a day to Guatemala City from their bus stop on Calle Principal. The journey takes
around 4 hours and costs around US$ 4. Alternatively you can take a bus to Los Encuentros from the main bus station
and change there.

Antigua
Transportes R?uli have one directbus a day. Alternatively you can take the bus to Guatemala City and change at
Chimeltenango. The journey will take around 3 hours and cost around US$ 6.

Quetzaltenango
Buses leave 6 times a day from the main bus station, where Calle Santander and Calle Principal meet. The journey takes
around 3 hours and costs about US$ 2. You can also get the bus to Los Encuentros, a half hours journey away, and
change there.

Chichicastenango
Buses leave about 10 times a day from the main bus station. The journey takes around two hours and costs around US$ 2.
You can also change at Los Encuentros.