'''Panajachel''' is in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Panajachel, or Pana as it is widely known is a small town on the North shore of Lake Atitlan. Pana is a small town with a booming tourist industry. With the exception of possibly Antigua, Panajachel is one of the major tourism areas in Guatemala.

Get in

''Chicken buses'' from Guatemala City leave approximately every hour, from 6am to 4pm, and cost only a few dollars US. However, the ride is long, and it can be quite uncomfortable if the bus gets crowded (which it almost certainly will). Chicken buses from the countryside are no longer allowed to drive into the city, so you have to ride city buses to the the city limits and wait for a transfer.

Many tourist agencies will arrange tourist buses transport to Panajachel. A minibus from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel is USD $12.00 per person each way, though some among the number of agents offering the service could charge USD $20-25.

Get around

Panajachel itself is quite small, and you can walk practically anywhere within 10 minutes. Small three-wheel taxis (TucTuc) continually circle the few streets, and cost 5Q for any destination in Panajachel, 10Q if the ride requires going off the delta (uphill), for example to the Nature reserve.

Shuttle boats to other cities around the lake, such as Jabailito, San Marcos La Laguna, San Pedro La Laguna, etc, leave regularly from the "embarcadero" at the foot of the main street. The cost is about 20Q one way (10Q for people from Mexico or Central America) . The larger public ferries are cheaper, 10Q for people from Mexico or Central America, 20Q for people from Europe, the US, Australia, etc. ,) but they only go to Santiago Atitlan and San Pedro. They leave from the foot of Calle Rancho Grande.

There is no bus station yet, but chicken buses, taxis and shuttle buses congregate at the intersection of Calle Principal and Calle Santander. Fletes (Toyota pickups) can be found near the market. They are the cheapest way to get to nearby towns. They are a great way to meet the indigenous people, who are their best customers. Chicken bus to Solola costs 3Q (aug 2008).

See

Do

  • '''Volunteer''', at the Robert Muller LIFE School. LIFE's mission is to provide a top-notch, multicultural education to expat and indigenous children alike. LIFE School is the only English-speaking non-profit school in Guatemala. 44% of its current students receive some for of financial assistance. For more information please visit:[http://www.lifeschoolweb.com LIFE School]
  • '''Scuba diving''', In the nearby village of Santa Cruz La Laguna is '''ATI Divers''', tel. 8872-2621. Diving in the lake is interesting as this is high altitude diving into a fresh water lake. Also, due to the fact the volcanic activity is present there are hot beds under the bed of the lake. At various points it is possible to burn your hands by digging them into the floor of the lake. There is not much life in the lake but it is possible to see tiny jellyfish and a number of smaller fish. ATI Divers do the PADI open water course for $175 over four days. PADI advanced is $195. Fun dives are $25/$45. They also do an altitude dive course. Located on the same site and run by the same people is '''La Iguana Perdida'''. See <i>sleep</i> below. http://www.laiguanaperdida.com/index.php
  • '''Kayaking''', Many of the lake side resorts own recreational and sea kayaks that they are more than willing to rent. The mobility of the kayaks and warm waters provide endless stopping points for private cliff-side diving and swimming as well as a close up look at some very fancy homes. Prices for the day are around 100-200Q for a two person kayak. 50Q at La Iguana Perdida backpacker's hotel!
  • '''Travel Agency''', There are about 100 travel agencies in Pana that will arrange tours to all parts of Guatemala, and sell or confirm airline tickets.
  • '''Nature Reserve''', The nearby Reserva Natural, or Nature Reserve, and butterfly sanctuary is a on an old coffee finca. You can see monkeys and cotamundis, and walk on hanging bridges up towards the waterfall. You will soon be able to stay in a "green" hotel here. The oldest house in the area (~1600 AD) and a stone, German-built mill (~1850 AD) are on the property. You can ride zip lines through the jungle (jungle canopy) for 175Q. A total of 8 lines with a nice view of the park, lake etc. The equipment and gear is very secure and you always have two guides. More info: http://www.atitlanreserva.com/
  • Buy

    Mayan girls walk the streets of Pana from morning until night selling <i>authentic</i> Mayan good such as textiles, paintings and jewelery. They can be quite hard sellers and will approach people dining in restaurants. It is quite common to be approached a dozen times while eating. It is a little off putting but a firm '<b>No thanks</b>' should do the trick. Prices of the good on offer seem to compete fairly well with shops selling similar goods in Pana. If you see something you like it is still highly recommended to haggle. Try and pay around half to two thirds of the original asking price as a guide.

    If you're interested in buying traditional Mayan clothes or textiles, this is a great place to do it. The quality of textiles here is significantly higher than in most other places of the country. The best quality goods are found in Santiago Atitlan, on the south side of the lake.

    Eat

    (Note: Before choosing a restaurant and/or hotel stop by the Nature Reserve and pick up their list of hotels who have joined the recycling collective. Please boycott those places that have not, as Pana has a huge pollution problem. This includes Pana Rock)

  • '''Guajimbo's''', Calle Santander. The menu notes that their vegetables are disinfected and they use purified water for drinking water and ice. They have the best steaks: huge, grilled to perfection with creative toppings.
  • '''Las Chinitas''', Plaza Los Patios, Calle Santander. Serving delicious Chinese, Japanese, and Malaysian food in a variety of combinations. On one night the crowd was almost entirely foreigners, with a folk band of gringos playing 60's and 70's American hits. They use purified water for vegetables and drinking.
  • '''La Terrazza''', Edificio Rincon Sai, Calle Santander, tel. 7762-0041. - Very good food!
  • '''Pana Rock''', Calle Santander.
  • '''Circus Bar''', Av Los Arboles, The BEST pizza in Guatemala.
  • '''Sunset Cafe''', at the foot of Calle Santander. The tables are located in an open room with gorgeous views over the lake. Cuisine includes Mexican and International dishes. Come for the view, not for the food - it's not that good. Prices are mid-range, with entrees at Q30-40. Enjoy an exotic cocktail or a variety of beers from the bar. The menu notes that their vegetables are disinfected and they use purified water for drinking water and ice. Live Music every night of the week. Tel:7762-0003
  • '''Anubis Grille''', near the corner of Calle Principal and Calle de Arboles, makes the best burger in town and probably the best burger you've had in a while. Try the 'Hungry Wolf' Burger. 40-50Q
  • '''Chocolate''', If you are a connoisseur of fine chocolates and sweets, make sure you search stop by the small store in downtown Pana, where the calle Santander forks into a "Y" A very special variety is the chile lime! Pricy, but a rare break from nestle bars in this part of the world!
  • Towards the bottom of Calle Santander and near the bus stop on Calle Principal there are a number of street vendors selling Tacos, Sweetcorn, Sweet nuts and other snack foods. These are a good cheap option for the budget traveller. The "food court" is located on Calle Santander, in front of the elementary school (big curved roof), across the street from the Mayanet internet cafe. Street vendors an be found there all hours of the day and evening.
  • Porch De Salomon. olomon's Porch. ttp://solomonsporchpana.com. The porch is an internet Cafe' and restaurant, recently relocated, and I don't know the new address... I'll update when I do. b

    Drink

    In Pana it is almost a tradition (at least for Guatemalans) to drink and walk up and down the Santander street with a "Litro" on their hands. A "Litro" is a 1 liter bottle of beer. Usually Gallo or Cabro brand. But you can get virtually any drink you ask for.

    Sleep

    As you might expect from a regional tourist hub, Panajachel has a range of accommodations at all price levels. Some hotels outside Panajachel proper are also listed in the '''Nearby''' section.

  • '''Mario's Rooms''', Calle Santander, (Dec 2008) Q70 per night for room with no shower (shared, not ensuite) for one person, price unknown with two guests "So friendly and helpful! We would have missed the best fireworks ever if it weren't for the help of the owner/staff here. A beautiful courtyard, nice rooms." tel 7762-1313.
  • '''Hospedaje Sanchez''', on the Calle el Chali, one block from the Calle Santander. If you do not mind shared bathrooms, then this is an excellent place. It is clean, quiet, and comfortable. Cost is about $5 per night. It is particularly nice to have an upstairs room, where the window on the back wall lets in gentle breezes from the lake. Great lake views from the roof. Convenient to the main road, but you will feel that you are deeply in Guatemala. The Sanchez family are very sweet people, who respect your privacy, but are willing to help you with anything. Phone: 7762-2224
  • '''Villa Lupita''', Budget option US$ 5 per room with shared bathroom. Lovely, family owned place. Clean and cared.
  • '''Grand Hotel''', Calle Principal, tel. 762-2940. This hotel can get busy at weekends due to an influx of visitors from Guatemala City.
  • '''Primavera''', a mid-scale hotel right in the middle of Panajachel. Renovated in 2000, most of the rooms are on the second floor. Cost is about $40US per night. [http://www.primaveraatitlan.com/]
  • '''Hotel Utz Jay''', on Calle 15e de febreo between Calle Santander and Calle Ranchos Grande. This is my favorite hotel in Pana. It is a slice of paradise in this busy, not pretty, touristy town. Quiet, nicely decorated rooms with Guate fabrics, artwork for USD 20 set around a beautiful courtyard with birds and hammocks. Honor system for beers and sodas. Private baths with hot water, and a sauna on the grounds. Continental breakfast included with the room. You can also book boat and other tours here. The owner (Marie Lissette) is very helpful and aims to please.[mailto:utzjay_garcia@yahoo.com utzjay_garcia@yahoo.com], [http://hotelutzjay.com].
  • '''Bungalows El Rosario''', on Calle Del Lago between Calle Rancho Grande and Calle Ramos. Set on a short cobblestone drive back from the street, with about ten double rooms around a private courtyard. Rooms are clean, simply built with stone and concrete, livened up with bright paint and a few traditional woven cloths and wooden masks for decoration. All rooms have private bathrooms with showers, and hot water available from 6:00h to 22:00h. The idyllic setting is marred by loud disco music from the adjacent restaurants until mid-evening, with the laughter and chatter of other guests after then. Q150.00 for double occupancy, Q100 for single occupancy (''as of December, 2005''). When we were there, they raised the single room price to Q150 on a busy weekend night. There are reports that prices also rise on other peak nights and seasons.
  • '''Guest House Casa Loma''', on a small side street off Calle Rancho Grande near the Calle de Buenas Nuevas. Has private parking. No information on rooms or rates ''as of December 2005''.
  • Cameron Cottage. on the Main Street'. akeatitlan@gmail.com. ttp://www.atitlan.net/rentals/dianne/index.htm. 450/month. A charming 1 BR cottage, with living room, galley kitchen, volcano view. Rent includes cable TV and utilities. Maid extra.

  • HOTEL EL SOL. alida a Santa Catarina Palopo, Barrio Jucanya, Panajachel. +502) 7762-6090. ttp://www.panamuraoka.com. :00pm. :00 pm. ormitory room Q60, Private room form Q150. otel_el_sol_panajachel@yahoo.co.jp.

    Nearby

  • Las Tarrales Nature Reserve. n the road towards Cocales. (502) 5919 8882. nfo@tarrales.com. (502) 2478 4901. ttp://www.tarrales.com/. S$20-30. A protected area with tourism and lodging. It goes nearly to the top of Volvan Atitlan. You can see an old coffee "benefacio", where freshly picked coffee is still processed. Many very rare birds have been spotted on the property, as well as a giant local species of bamboo that grows as big as telephone poles, with its feet in hot volcano water. Various lodging options, from doubles and triples to dorm rooms to camping.

  • Hotel Atitlan. calle 6. ttp://www.atitlan.com/hotelatitlan.htm. S$125-225. About a half mile outside of Panajachel proper, this is a 62-room lakeside luxury hotel with extensive, beautifully-designed gardens leading right up to the lake, and an aviary with macaws, parrots, hummingbirds, etc. The hotel lobby has a theme of antique Catholic wood carvings. The outdoor unheated pool offers a great view of the volcanoes. It's located about a five minute walk from the butterfly sanctuary.

  • Sha Ryan Ka. Guest lodging, ? 502 5157 0707. or 502 5780 2744. http://www.sharyanka.com . A meditative place a 10 minute boat ride from the bustle of Panajachel. $25 and up. Hot showers and kitchenettes in all units.

    Getting Out