How to Get to Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City

The chicken bus is a cheap and authentic local experience. But it’s not a very safe or comfortable option for long distances. There’s a risk of pickpockets, the driving can be dangerous, the buses are packed, and it will be a bumpy ride. Your luggage will go on top of the bus, and it could get stolen or wet if it’s raining. The direct bus with Rebuli to Panajachel departs daily every hour from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (possibly earlier, confirm times in advance). It takes 3-4 hours. The bus costs about 30 Q ($4) and departs from the Rebuli bus station at 21 Calle 1-34, Zona 1. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to find the bus and queue for a seat. Make sure to leave early enough that you don’t end up on the windy roads after dark.

Shared shuttles from Guatemala City or La Aurora airport to Lake Atitlan go through Antigua. They cost $35-40 and take about 5 hours instead of 2.5-3. You have to wait up to an hour and change vehicles in Antigua. While not ideal, this may be your best option if you’re traveling alone and want the safety and convenience of a tourist shuttle that picks you up without paying a whopping $200 for a private one.

A private shuttle is the easiest, most reliable, and comfortable option. The ride from the airport to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan’s transit hub, is 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic. The price of private shuttles is based on the number of passengers. With this reputable shuttle, it costs $45/person for four people to go to Panajachel. For two people, it’s $78/person. You can also go to San Pedro, San Juan, or San Marcos, but it costs an extra $20/person and takes about 45 minutes or longer to get there. If you want to get dropped off in San Antonio Palopo or Santa Catarina Palopo, near Panajachel, choose this shuttle.

From Guatemala City (not the airport), there are a few options with reputable providers. This shuttle to Panajachel is cheaper for groups of four or more. For four people, it costs $55/person. This shuttle is best if you want to go to San Antonio Palopo or Santa Catarina Palopo, and it’s the cheaper option if you’re less than four people going to Panajachel. It’s $60/person for three and $80/person for two.

If you’re going to a hotel (these are the best lakeside hotels for every budget), ask your hotel the best way to get there from Panajachel. If you’re going within a 10-minute drive from Panajachel, you can take a tuk tuk. If you’re going farther (or just want to maximize your time on the lake), you’ll take a boat called a lancha. Here is everything you need to know about how the lanchas work, including the routes, schedule, cost, and other important logistics. If you need to take a lancha from Panajachel to your final destination, note that the last public lancha leaves around 7:30 PM. If you miss it, you can hire a private boat instead.