In 1934, Aldous Huxley deemed Lake Atitlan the most beautiful lake in the world.
He wasn’t exaggerating.
Lago De Atitlan is more than simply beautiful; it’s a 5 star feast for all the senses. The turquoise blue water, the lush green mountains, the glow of three volcanoes, and towering clouds overwhelm the eyes. An array of tropical flowers mixed with coniferous pines arouse the nose. The never-ending spring climate invigorates the body. The songs of birds and the laughter of the Mayan people tickle the ears. And the hot tortillas served with breakfast tipico for 2 dollars delights the tongue and the budget.
This Runaway Retreat is Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Choosing What Town To Live In
Below is a brief breakdown of the best towns around Lake Atitlan.
Map of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Panajachel
Panajachel is one of the largest towns along the lake. It is home to multiple NGO’s, expats, hostels, fancy hotels, Spanish schools and real estate offices. It also hosts a large variety of restaurants, including authentic Japanese and Korean. It’s the perfect place to base yourself while you decide where you want to live. For info on short term homestays, hostels, and hotels, check out, Where To Stay In Panajachel.
The lake wide ferry service from Panajachel. 15 min >> Santa Cruz for 1.50$
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the best location if you’re looking for awesome views, few tourists, and immersion into Mayan culture. It’s arguably one of the most relaxing spots on the lake. Here you can find quaint bungalows for between 200-300$ a month depending on the season. Check out A Guide To Santa Cruz, Lake Atitlan for a complete review.
The view from Casa Rosa’s in Santa Cruz
San Marcos
San Marcos is the town for leftover and wannabe hippies. If you’re looking to experiment with an array of drugs, alternative medicines, and discover your deeper self, this is the place for you. But if you would rather steer clear of the hippie scene, there are multiple long term rental options just outside the town. I highly recommend Pasaj-Cap Rentals, 450$-650$/month.
Pasaj-Cap Rentals near San Marcos
San Pedro
San Pedro is a backpacker’s paradise, a gringo trail hot spot, and the place to party. It’s definitely a unique town and fun for a few days but not a place you would want to live long-term.
San Pedro by *lunaguava.com
Tzununa/Jaibalito
In between these towns are little villages often containing just a few scattered lakeside homes. They are very quiet and isolated but still accessible by public boat. The best way to find a rental is to explore these villages for yourself or check listings on the internet.
Secluded swimming spot outside of Santa Cruz
How To Find An Apartment
Thanks to the internet, you can find loads of cool bungalows and apartments all around the lake. Check out VRBO.com, get in touch with Dave at Century 21 Guatemala, hit up Rene and Francesca at mayanlakerealty.com, check out terraxatitlan.com and finally try Armand at atitlanrentals.com.
However, there are also loads of cool places that aren’t listed on the internet. The best way to find them is by talking to expats. Head over to Crossroads Cafe in Panajachel and ask Mike if he’s heard of any cool apartments up for rent.
The Best Time Of Year To Find An Apartment
If you want to find a rental in a great location and for the cheapest price, you need to secure a place just as the rainy season is coming to an end. On average, the rainy season ends in early November on Lake Atitlan, which means you’re going to have the best luck if you start your search in late September of early October.
Additionally, if you don’t mind the rainy season, which generally only consists of afternoon rains, you will be able to find some of the cheapest options just as the rainy season starts to pick up around May.
My New Bungalow On Lake Atitlan
After emailing a few real estate offices and talking to loads of expats, I finally found the perfect place.
It’s a local place located in Pena D’Oro just outside of Panajachel.
The views are stunning, the proximity to Panajachel is perfect, the atmosphere is heavenly, the amenities are everything I need, and for 250$/month, the price is right.
It’s so insanely cool here that I would love to buy it one day and turn it into the first Runaway Hostel! For more info, you can contact me on Facebook at The Runaway Guide.com.
The view from my balcony
Conclusion
If you love spring, perfectly shaped volcanoes, friendly locals, peaceful days, and an extremely low cost of living, the mystical Mayan Lake Atitlan is the place to run away to. In all my travels I have never encountered such an ideal setting or a more beautiful lake. It is by far my favorite Runaway Retreat and one I highly recommend.
Hi Leif, im interested in the Guatemala retreat. When is the next one? Are you still active in the runaway world? Haven’t seen anything recent but I just found your sight so ill keep looking. Thanks wendy.
Hey Wendy, check this out!
Guatemala Tour (+ 1 Month Hideout Package)
Dates: Oct 25 – Nov 3rd Duration: 10 Days Destinations: 1) Antigua 2) Panajachel 3) Jaibalito 4) San Pedro Tour Leader(s): Leif (The Runaway Guide) / Jen Garcia Trip Style: 30% Adventure, 20% Party, 25% Spiritual, 20% Culture, 5% Swimming/ Hot tubs Max Group Size: 8 (6 Spots left) Total Price: 1195$ Reservation Deposit: 500$
*We’re now offering a tour/hideout package which includes a 10 day tour plus 1 month in the Hideout. If you’ve ever wanted to run away and then start a new life with a bunch of runaways in a studio apartment perched on the side of a volcano, this is for you.
10 Day Guatemala Tour (Oct 25- Nov 3): 1195$
1 Month At The Hideout (Nov 3 -Nov 30): 445$ (155$ Savings)
Total Price for 40 days: 1,640
*Reservation deposit of 500$ is fully refundable until Oct 1st, 2016. The balance of 695$ (1,140 for hideout package) is due no later than Oct 15th, 2016.
Looks fabulous and I definitely thought of checking out this place, but then noticed those poles right in front of the apartment (in the first few seconds of the video). Are these street lights? and do they shine into the apartment all night?
Hey Daniel, there are a few lights at night but they don’t shine into the apartments at night fortunately. And if they do, I can ask the manager to unscrew a bulb. Have you seen the Lake Atitlan Hideout?
Do yourself a favor and check out Hans’s in jaibalito, as well as the baker a few hundred yards up the same path.
Yea, I love Han’s food! And Norm makes some mean cakes. I featured them on my Atitlan blog here, Guide To Jaibalito.
Why do you suggest not to stay in San Pedro for the long term?
I suggest the smaller towns because I prefer the laid back atmosphere. But San Pedro is a great city to live in for sure, just not for me. If I want to party, I can always take the boat over and get a cheap hotel for the night.
Guatemala is high on my Bucket List – (…a place seldom visited by Australians!)
‘will definitely keep this info in mind !
Fabulous page – SO much reading & information – thanks again :)
Nice, you should def check it out. There were actually quite a few Aussies down there when I went.
Hey Leif!
I’m headed to the lake I the next week or two, and looking online for rentals, but feeling like I might have better luck in person – any thoughts on encountering rentals last minute/have you heard of any lately? Great tips, thanks for the post!
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
Nows a great time to find rentals. When you get to town, you should ask Dave at the Century 21 office in Pana. There are lots of cool places and Dave knows them. Good luck, maybe I’ll see you down there :)
That balcony view is amazing in the last pic!
This post really put Guatemala and Lake Atitlan on my radar for future vacations. I assume the water/air is very warm year round, right? (I don’t know the elevation)
Its at about 1 mile, 5,000 ft, so It’s like spring all year round. But April to Oct is the rainy season which means the mornings are sunny while the afternoons bring in the rain.
Totally Awesome! I’m looking at coming that way in February.
Sweet! Sounds good. Let me know.
We are headed to Guatemala early next year and I will be bookmarking this post for sure! Looks stunning, thanks for sharing :-)
No worries! I love Guatemala! Let me know, cheers!
Hey Sarah, awesome. Let me know if you need any advice. Cheers,-Leif