OverviewPreparationDestinationsAccommodationGetting HereGetting around Do & SeeBudget
You’ve booked your flight. Hooray! You reserved a hotel with volcanic views so incredible you can’t believe it even exists. Heck yea!
The only thing left to do…figure out how to get from the airport to your hotel.
While usually a straightforward part of any trip, it can sometimes get a bit tricky. This is especially true when it comes to travel to Lake Atitlan.
Because Lake Atitlan is not a single destination but rather a collection of over a dozen towns. Some of these pueblos can only be accessed by boat. And some have roads leading to them so dangerous that you definitely would have opted to to take the boat in retrospect.
To save you time & money, and to help you arrive to your destination with minimal risk, below you’ll learn exactly how to get from Guatemala City Airport to any town around Lake Atitlan.
Need to book transport now?
Need a private car or van that’s safe & comfortable with a vetted English speaking driver? Check out Private Taxi.
Need a private ferry boat that’s got life jackets and a certified captain with standard rates? Check out Private Water Taxi Lake Atitlan.
Having lived in Panajachel for years, we’ve got a couple of trusted English speaking drivers & captains with new & safe vehicles / boats that we can recommend. We love this place and love helping others experience it as well!
For special requests you can also send us a message on whatsapp +1 845 653 6247, and our transport organizer Patrick do his best to smooth out the journey ahead.
Public vs Private Shuttles:
From La Aurora International Airport to Lake Atitlan
For years, we always took the public shuttle. We were broke backpackers. At $30/person it’s relatively cheap. Today, with a bit more pocket change, we can’t imagine going by anything other than private shuttle.
Here’s why:
- The public shuttle is only $30-$40 cheaper if you’re two travelers.
- On average it takes 90 minutes longer.
- That 90 minutes is spent bumping around the cobblestoned streets of Antigua to pick up each customer at their hotel.
- If you’ve really got to go #2, the driver isn’t going to stop for you.
- Drivers are often underpaid and short tempered, which makes any attempt to explain where your hotel or airbnb is more stressful than it should be.
So these days it’s private shuttle all the way. It might sound a bit bougie, but if you do opt to go public, you’ll see what we mean.
Advantages of going private:
- You won’t have to wait for your ride in the chaos that is the La Aurora arrivals area.
- Your driver is better paid, and usually happier and more patient as a result.
- Many private drivers speak a decent amount of English.
- You’ll be dropped off directly at your hotel or airbnb.
- You’ll avoid putting undue strain on your bladder and colon.
Guatemala City Airport To Panajachel
No matter what town you’re going to on the lake, we always prefer getting dropped off in Panajachel.
If you’re going to San Antionio, Santa Catarina, San Lucas, Santa Cruz, or Jaibalito, you definitely want to go to Panajachel. It costs around Q900 for 2 people, and takes around 3 hours depending on traffic.
From the docks in Pana, you can reach most any town in 30 minutes or less. To give you an idea of the price, it costs Q30 for the public boat from Pana to San Pedro. Check out this guide for more info on getting around Atitlan by boat.
- Price: Q900 (1-4 people)
- Duration: 3 hours (depending on traffic)
Guatemala City Airport To San Pedro / San Marcos
If you’re going to Tzununa, San Marcos, San Juan, San Pedro, Santiago, we still prefer going to Pana first, but you could certainly take the shuttle directly. However, the cost is usually around $50 more, and the increased distance and poor roads adds no less than 1 hour to your trip.
- Price: Q1,300 (1-4 people)
- Duration: 4 hours (depending on traffic)
Take An Uber?
Uber has recently (2019) made significant inroads into Guatemala. It’s definitely an option but we tend to steer clear at least for the time being. There simply has been too many reports of crooked drivers robbing their customers. Plus the price, averaging around q800, is around the same as hiring a reputable private shuttle service.
Rent A Car?
If you’re spending a week or less, and game to navigated Guatemala traffic and roads, renting a car will definitely be the most cost effective option. Rentals from Guatemala City Airport are often as low as $25/day!
Rent A Motorcycle?
You’ve arrived at Lake Atitlan! Now you’re ready to explore. What better way to do so than by motorcycle or in the flat bed of a pickup. Based out of Panajachel you’ll find our partners Ride Atitlan. They’ve got motorcycle and scooter rentals, and also offer some pretty cool truck back tours.
The Verdict
If you’re three or more people, a private shuttle will save you money. Even if you’re just two people, going private is just around $30 to $40 more.
Save yourself and your bum from the endless cobblestone roads of Antigua. Save your bladder from unnecessary pressure. And give yourself the best first impression of the most beautiful lake in the world.
Of the many decisions you have to make while traveling to Lake Atitlan, you definitely won’t regret this one. As our little latino grandmother used to say, “what you pay, what you get.”