How To Get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful you’ll ever lay eyes on, completely surrounded by volcanoes and showcasing different shades of green and blue waters, the ideal scenery for a boat tour or some exciting watersports. It needs to be on your Guatemala itinerary!

The distance from Guatemala City to Atitlan is 74.5 miles (120 km), and the journey takes an average of 3 hours, as you’ll be driving (or being driven!) through twisty, mountainous roads.

The trip is totally worth it, though, to check out the best ways to get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan. 

COMING FROM ANTIGUA INSTEAD? READ
How to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan

Book a Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel

The most convenient option to make the journey Guatemala City – Lake Atitlan if you’re traveling with at least two more people is booking a private transfer. 

You’ll be picked up at your hotel in Guatemala City at your chosen time, and driven directly to Panajachel, a town located on the north shore of Lake Atitlan and the only one where private transfers go to.

While it’s the most hassle-free alternative, it’s also the most expensive, and unless you’re a group of 6 or more people traveling it will cost you more per person than the shared shuttle. 

If you are indeed 6 + passengers, the cost will be equal to taking the shuttle and the ride will be much more comfortable. 

The one-way transfer for up to 3 passengers is $215. It’s $245 if you’re up to 6 people, and $275 if you’re between 7 and 9 people. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

You can’t book a roundtrip service, but you could make a different booking from Panajachel to Guatemala City in advance if you want to ensure your transfer. 

If you’re staying in any other town, you can ask the driver to drop you off at Panajachel dock, where you’ll catch the public boat to your final destination. You can otherwise arrange with your hotel for a boat transfer; some of them even offer complimentary boat transfers, so be sure to check with them in advance. 

Pros and Cons of the Private Transfer

✅ It’s the most convenient option, allowing you to choose the departure time to best suit your schedule.

✅ It picks you up at your hotel in Guatemala City, and offers a private ride for your party, dropping you off straight at the port for you to catch the boat.

❌ It’s the most expensive option, so it’s not ideal for solo travelers or those on a budget.

Take the Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan Shuttle

Another popular transportation option to get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan is a shared shuttle. The shuttle can drop you off at Panajachel, San Marcos La Laguna, or Santiago Atitlan, so if you’re staying in one of those towns you won’t need to catch the ferry. 

▶️ The shared shuttle from Guatemala City to Panajachel takes around 5 hours to arrive, and leaves three times a day: at 6 AM, at 9.30 AM, and at 1.30 PM. 

The shuttle picks you up at your hotel and the one-way ticket costs $42. ➥ BOOK IT HERE 

▶️ If you’re headed to San Marcos La Laguna, this Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan shuttle takes 7 hours and departs once daily, at 6 AM. 

It also includes hotel pick up and the transfer costs $44. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ The shuttle from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan can also take you to Santiago Atitlan, and while you’ll have to take a boat ride to get there, it’s included in the transfer.

 There’s only one shuttle a day, departing at 6 AM, and the journey takes 7 hours. It costs $42. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

⚠️ 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. Book here the private car instead. 

▶ If you’re staying in any other town, like Santa Cruz la Laguna or San Pedro La Laguna, you’ll need to take the shuttle to Panajachel dock, and from there take the public boat to your destination. The ride to Santa Cruz takes around 10 minutes and costs $1, while the ride to San Pedro takes 30 minutes, costing $3. You can also arrange the boat transfer with your hotel if you prefer. 

Pros and Cons of the Shared Shuttle

✅ It’s a great alternative for people on a budget, as it’s cheap while still offering the convenience of hotel pick-up.

✅ It’s the best transportation method for solo travelers, as you can book a single spot, and it’s affordable.

❌ It takes longer, as it stops along the way to pick up and drop off other passengers.

Take an Uber or Taxi to Lake Atitlan

You can also take a taxi or Uber from Guatemala City or airport to Lake Atitlan, and while it’s more convenient than the shuttle, it will also be more expensive. 

The journey takes 3 hours to Panajachel, and around 5-6 hours if you’re going to some other town like San Marcos. You can expect to pay between $130 and $170, depending on the distance. 

If you’re getting from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan, you can either call a Uber driver (it works pretty well in the city) or ask your hotel to book you a taxi. If you’re leaving from the airport you’ll find plenty of taxi drivers outside, although you could also book your own driver to pick you up. 

The best thing about taking a taxi or uber is that they’ll be able to drive you to most towns, so you might get to skip the ferry. 

Pros and Cons of the Uber or Taxi

✅ It’s exclusive to your party and accommodates your schedule and pick-up location.

✅ It might be able to drive you directly to your final destination in Lake Atitlan, unlike the private or shared transfers.

❌ It’s not the cheapest option, and not recommended if you’re only one person.

Ride the Chicken Bus from Guatemala to Lake Atitlan

Then there’s the chicken bus, possibly the most exhilarating way to make the journey, but a very bumpy and not-so-safe one.

The chicken bus from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan costs around $5 and while it’s the cheapest transfer you’ll find, it’s far from being the most comfortable one, and I don’t really recommend it.  

These colorful buses make plenty of stops along the way, drivers don’t care much for speed limits even on mountainous roads, and it’s possibly going to be crowded and loud.

You should keep watch of your bag and belongings at all times, as pickpocketing is not uncommon on these journeys, and be prepared for hiccups during the drive (hang on tight to your seat!)

If you’re really on a tight budget and don’t mind the discomfort, though, it’s a possibility to make the trip. You can catch the bus at 21 Calle and 1A Avenida. 

Pros and Cons of the Chicken Bus

✅ It’s by far the cheapest transportation option, and if you’re looking for an authentic, original experience, you won’t find anything better.

❌ It’s terribly uncomfortable, and not exactly safe.

❌ If you have luggage, it will likely be tied to the roof of the bus. Not only could that damage your bags, but they’ll also get wet if it’s raining.

Take a Day Tour to Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City

If you’re looking for ways to visit Lake Atitlan on a day trip, your best bet is to book a tour that will also handle the transportation, so you make the most of your time in the area and get to visit all its highlights. 

▶️ The Lake Atitlán and San Juan La Laguna Day Trip by Boat from Guatemala City is a full-day tour that will immerse you in the beauty of the lake villages as you cruise Lake Atitlan on a boat. Learn about the region’s history and culture from your guide, and explore the towns of Panajachel and San Juan La Laguna. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ A great alternative is the Full-Day Lake Atitlan Tour, a private excursion that accommodates groups of up to 15 people. You’ll have breakfast in Panajachel, and then sail across the lake toward San Juan la Laguna, where you’ll visit a women’s cooperative. Ride a tuk-tuk in Santiago Atitlan, and cap off the day with traditional hot chocolate. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ This 2-Day Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City or Antigua is a great way of exploring the region. You’ll visit the market of Chichicastenango, spend the night in Panajachel, and enjoy a tour of Lake Atitlan and its major villages as you learn about them from your guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Pros and Cons of the Tour

✅ It arranges everything for you, from roundtrip transfers to activities and usually meals. Plus, a guide will ensure you learn about the area and get all your questions answered.

✅ It’s great if you have limited time in Lake Atitlan, as you’ll get to see most of it in a single day. Plus, you can choose a personalized experience for your group, or join a shared tour if you’re solo.

❌ The schedule and itinerary are fixed, so there’s little to no flexibility to plan your day.

Rent a Car at Guatemala City Airport

You could also travel from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan by rental car. This will grant you the freedom to make as many stops as you want along the way, and to manage your own schedule, as well as to drive to your final destination directly.

Make sure to leave the car in the parking space of your hotel, or pay for a parking lot if you’re going on a boat tour to explore the area. Unfortunately, Guatemala isn’t the safest country, and break-ins in Lake Atitlan are not uncommon, so you’ll want to prevent them as much as possible, especially if it’s a rental!  

The best option for renting a car from Guatemala City Airport is to book in advance online. I’ve personally started using and recommending Discover Cars to book rental cars. ➥ COMPARE PRICES HERE

Discover Cars is a car rental booking service that offers a wide range of rental options from various car rental agencies in Cancun and makes it easier to find a rental car that suits your needs and budget.

I particularly like their cancelation policy. Typically, with Discover Cars, you can cancel your booking for free up to 48 hours before the pickup time – a much more generous cancelation policy than other platforms. However, it’s always important to read the specific terms and conditions of your rental agreement for exact details, as policies can vary based on the rental company and the rate you choose.

Pros and Cons of Renting a Car

✅ It grants you independence and control over your time and itinerary. Renting a car is particularly beneficial if you plan on exploring other attractions in Guatemala.

❌ If you’re going to spend a few days in Lake Atitlan, and are only renting a car for the journey there, it’s not cost-effective at all. In Lake Atitlan, you’ll be taking the public ferry to visit the villages around the lake, so the car would be sitting in your hotel’s parking (if it has one) for the duration of your visit.

❌ Guatemala is, unfortunately, not very safe, so your vehicle could potentially be targeted for break-ins unless it’s parked inside a hotel’s or private parking lot.

Take a Helicopter from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan

Taking a helicopter from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan is also an option. A very fancy and polluting one, but a means of transport nonetheless.

You have to book the helicopter ride in advance, and you’ll take it at Guatemala Airport for around $1,000 – $1,500. It’s the fastest way to get to Lake Atitlan, taking only 25 minutes, and you’ll enjoy great aerial views of the lake.

On the other hand, it’s a lot of money to pay for a transfer and the least possible eco-friendly option, so I highly discourage you to consider it!

Pros and Cons of the Helicopter Ride

✅ It’s the fastest way to make the journey, so if you’re terribly tight on time, a helicopter ride will save you a few hours of travel time.

❌ It’s super expensive, and completely unnecessary as there are plenty of other transportation options that are effective and much cheaper.

❌ It’s really damaging to the environment, the main reason why you should discard this alternative, in my opinion.