Here’s how to get from Lake Atitlan to Chichicastenango and back, with public and private transportation options for every budget. Note that the prices listed below are accurate as of January 2025 but may change.

Check out more Lake Atitlan travel guides and tips, like what you should know before swimming in the lake, how the boats work, the best lakeside hotels, and how to get to the lake from Antigua or Guatemala City.

How to Get to Chichicastenango from Lake Atitlan

Chicken Bus

The chicken bus is a cheap and authentic local experience that is best for adventurers and Spanish speakers. Crime is an issue, driving can be dangerous, and the buses are packed. From Panajachel, it takes 3 transfers, 2+ hours, and costs 2-3 USD. Take a bus to Sololá from the Rebuli bus stop on Calle Principal in Panajachel (confirm the exact location with your hotel or ask when you get there). From Sololá, take a bus to Los Encuentros. Finally, take a minivan from Los Encuentros to Chichicastenango. Note where you get dropped off for the return journey. You’ll do the same thing in reverse. While it’s easiest if you speak Spanish, you can listen for people yelling out your destination to find your bus. If you need help, ask someone by saying “Sololá?” for example, and they’ll point you in the right direction.

Shared Shuttle

Shared shuttles are affordable and convenient, but you might wait an hour for the shuttle to arrive and you will be packed in uncomfortably like sardines. Shared shuttles depart Panajachel at 8 AM and San Pedro at 7:30 AM on market days (Thursdays and Sundays). They take 1.5-2 hours to get to Chichicastenango. Shuttles from Panajachel have one-way ($15) and roundtrip options ($30). The shuttle from San Pedro is only sold as a roundtrip ticket ($30). Shuttles return from Chichicastenango at 2 PM.

  • The shuttle from San Pedro passes through San Juan. You can have the shuttle pick you up there!

Private Day Tour

There aren’t any private shuttles from Lake Atitlan to Chichicastenango, but there is a private tour that includes roundtrip transportation from Panajachel. The tour requires a minimum of two people to book.