A trip to Lake Atitlan wouldn’t be complete without spending a day in Panajachel – one of the main towns and the travel hub of the lake. While there are countless things to do in this town, we’ve put together a list of a few of our favorite places to go to that are loved by both locals and travelers.
Grab a coffee from Cafe Loco
This small Korean-run coffee shop is our top place to go when you need a little caffeine kick. The team working here is incredibly talented at what they do and regularly blow away even the snobbiest of coffee-connoisseurs. They roast their delicious coffee beans in-house and have an extensive menu catering to all tastes and preferences. We recommend grabbing their smooth & delicious house-made cold brew.
Hang out on the Dreamboat rooftop
Need to cool off? Our friends at Dreamboat Hostel have created the most amazing rooftop terrace hangout on the lake. You could easily spend hours swimming in their newly-built rooftop pool, playing beer pong, and trying a selection of mouth-watering drinks and flavorful meals from their in-house bar and restaurant.
Shop at the Pacas
If you’ve been to Guatemala before, you’ll know that going to the Pacas is a must! For those of you who don’t know, Guatemala has a huge selection of Pacas that are independently run secondhand shops selling massive amounts of pre-owned clothing primarily shipped in from the US. Panajachel has a bunch of these shops all around town with thousands of hidden treasures waiting for a new home. Want some new clothes? A board game? Kitchen appliances? You know where to go.
Grab a frozen treat at Dolce Gelato
This is by far, our favorite place to get ice cream from in Guatemala! This small business is located on Santander, the main street in Panajachel, and they serve up a wide selection of delicious artisanal gelato. Their flavor offerings range from local tropical fruits to more rich flavors like chocolates, coffees, and more!
Bonus: They also have a great selection of vegan gelato!
Have a sunset drink at Azul Rosa
The perfect way to end a day of adventuring around Panajachel is to watch the sunset and have a cocktail at Azul Rosa’s Beach Bar. Sitting right on the lakeshore, you have a front seat view of the entire lake and all 3 volcanoes. Their cocktail flavors are made with seasonal fruit and local liquor and are constantly changing. Ask for the cusha cocktail special and be surprised and amazed by the flavor combinations!
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