"Panajachel, Guatemala" Top 5 Page for this destination Panajachel by Sue08080

Panajachel Travel Guide: 161 reviews and 285 photos

The lake and volcano from Hotel Atitlan - Panajachel

beautiful, mystical Lake Atitlan

This magnificent caldera is ringed by three volcanoes and many tiny Mayan villages. The hub of the area is the village of Panajachel, mainly a village of Kaqchikel Maya whose ancestors were settled here after the Spanish crushed a force of Tz'utujil warriors on the site. The old village has been enveloped by a new building boom attracting many foreign tourists and residents. The Mayan traditions still exist and seem oblivious to the modern invasion.

Although this is a Panajachel page for your convenience, I've included tips for the nearby villages.

Village Visit

readers to be

We visited the tiny village of Quixaya to donate children's books to a fledgling library here. It was a highlight of our trip. The children and their mothers were happy to receive our books and we enjoyed their obvious pleasure looking through them. Thankfully this town was spared serious damage during Hurricane Stan.

Close encounter

Take it easy guys!

My husband shared a bag of candy with a group of boys in San Antonio Palopo! The local adults also enjoyed the sight. There are ceramic and weaving cooperatives in this town that sell beautiful work.

Pros and Cons

Pros:too beautiful for words
Cons:poverty
In a nutshell:a bit of paradise

Last visit to Panajachel: Aug 2005
Intro Updated Jun 25, 2006
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Reviews (10)

There's enough for everyone! - Panajachel

The Candy Caper Warnings Or Dangers (1)

As we walked about the tiny village of San Antonio Palopo, our friend gave my husband a bag of candy and suggested that... more travel advice

Scenic Soccer Sports & Outdoors (1)

While my friend and I shopped for ceramics our husbands strolled down the street and came upon a soccer game being... more travel advice

Santa Catarina Palopo Hotels (2)

We did not stay here, but I can attest to the beautiful surroundings and excellent restaurant. We had lunch on a terrace... more travel advice

Ceramica Shopping (3)

This tiny village is know for its beautiful blue ceramics. Visit the small shop brimming with vases, plates, cups,... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Citizen Action

Things to Do (2)
See All Through the Clouds...2

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (25)

BruceDunning Aug 5, 2009 at 2:50 PM Report Abuse

A very interesting place to visit-at least virtually for me. Thank you for the sites.
Hopkid May 14, 2008 at 5:42 PM Report Abuse

Nice tips, Sue. Next time I'll have to visit those villages to the east of Pana. No time during our trip last year. I have almost the exact same photo at the Hotel Atitlan on my Pana page as you do!
Jim_Eliason May 12, 2007 at 9:38 PM Report Abuse

great page Sue!
BluBluBlu Nov 15, 2006 at 4:16 AM Report Abuse

Nice tips, photo's, and travelogues Sue! Happy travels! Blu
Lhenne1 Sep 19, 2006 at 7:22 PM Report Abuse

Sue, as an English teacher it is so nice to see the work you did in Guatemala. Teaching kids to read and write is so important for their futures.
Nemorino Sep 14, 2006 at 2:53 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful clouds-and-mountains photos. And that's a very moving travelogue about the library.
toonsarah Aug 6, 2006 at 12:51 PM Report Abuse

A wonderful page! As a librarian myself I really appreciated what's being achieved at Quixaya - and your efforts to support the women there with their important work.
icunme Jun 25, 2006 at 1:55 PM Report Abuse

Hi Sue - thanks for the visit to my Beverly Hills page - nice place to visit! These pages are a wonderful experience and an eye-opener for us all. Will return again. Ciao bella, Carol
AlbuqRay Jun 14, 2006 at 8:28 PM Report Abuse

Susan, good for you for donating books. Too bad many people in the US take for granted what we have, like books. BTW, Panajachel reminds me of the Taal area in the Philippines.
Bwana_Brown Jun 10, 2006 at 2:04 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic looking scenery around the lake and very colourful crafts too!