[Mariais5]

For everyone who visited Lake Atitlan, what should we do there? We will leave GC on a Thursday morning and have Thursday and Friday at Lake Atitlan. We'll have three of our children with us ~ ages 14, 11, and almost 2.. The Hotel Atitlan looks great, and we may stay there. Any experience sharing will be appreciated! TIA!

[wvamom]

Hi Marcy--
We just got back from Guatemala last night--we stayed at the Hotel Atitlan over the weekend. The gardens were superb--also enough green space for Bryan to run around--and he picked a bunch of their grass as well--maybe saved them on mowing it! I think Bryce would love to run in the grassy areas, too.

Also they have a jacuzzi that is pool-sized, as well as a (rather chilly!) pool there. We loved the jacuzzi, and although it says no one under a certain age allowed, I never saw that enforced.

Both times we have stayed at the Hotel Atitlan we took a boat ride to a small indigenous community across the lake--last time it was to Santiago--we saw Maximon, the patron "saint"--actually a wooden statue that they pray to and leave "offerings" to. And we visited the market in Santiago and saw the church there. Santiago is a small town native to an indigenous group called the Tsutuhiles (hope I'm spelling that correctly).

This time we took a boat ride to San Antonio, where there is a factory where they make certain ceramics that you can also see in the soup bowls and condiment containers at the Hotel Atitlan. We bought some items there to bring back.

For teens--there was a teenager there with her dad and they went kayaking on the lake--didn't get to talk with her about it but it looked like fun. Also there is a small business center with internet access.

Probably the best thing about the hotel is the service. We got a virus while we were there, and they went out and got Gatorade and brought it to our room, along with Pedialyte for Bryan. Also they brought Bryan breakfast when he was feeling better but we were still under the weather (although they don't really do room service--they were just being helpful to us).

Just down the road, available by taxi about 5 minutes away, is a small town, Panajachel. It has lots of places to shop and several nice restaurants. We ate at an Italian place one night and at a restaurant with a view of the volcano another. I really liked Pana--we probably would have gone back again had we not gotten sick.

I hope you have a great trip!

Carolyn

[Becca B.]

Hi Marcy

We went there in December when we picked up our son.
We were only there for a few hours. We didn't go out on a boat but I was told if you do, go in the morning. We were there in the afternoon and the water was kind of rough, kind of like the beach almost. Our tour guide told us that it is calmer in the morning. We just walked around. There are lost of people selling things in the street. They are a little bit more agressive in selling from my experience. I love buying things but you can't buy everything. For instance, my husband bought a throw from one lady and bought her dinner and she contiuned to follow us all the way to our car and even started sticking worry doll magnets on the car. Another lady kept saying something was $1 and then when you finally agreed, she said it was $21. It is very sad cause you want to buy from everyone but that would be impossible.
We ate at a wonderful Restaurant overlooking the lake. It also had a hotel attached that had a outdoor pool overlooking the lake. It was breathtaking!! The same restaurant is also in Antigua. It is the Posada Don Rodrigo.
We weren't there long enough to do anything. We did go to Ixicheme (sp?) mayan ruins before the lake. They are a good distance apart but you might want to find out how much time it would add to do them on your way to the Lake or on your way back.
I would be glad to share my pictures with you of the Lake and the ruins. PM me your e-mail addy and I will send you some if you like

Hope this helps!
Becky

[tinaedmond]

Yes, go to Iximche! It's great. Have been there two times and I'm sure we'll go again. It's beautiful and kids love it. It is basically on the way to/from the Lake.

We stayed two nights at the Hotel Rancho Grande. It isn't grand, but the bungalows were perfect for us. They do have one bungalow that sleeps 6, so that might be an option for you? I think that one was around $150 a night. It includes breakfast with the most interesting pancakes you will ever eat! A nice enclosed and beautiful courtyard for the kids to run around in. Each bungalow has a porch where you can sit outside. There is a small pool in the rear courtyard as well - cold.

No view of the lake from the hotel, but it is close to everything yet quiet.

There is a good italian place near the lake that we ate at, if you want the name I will dig it up.

There is a bioreserve very near the lake that I would have loved to check out, but we ran out of time. Supposed to be lots of animals and waterfalls, I read reviews on the internet from people who went and they said their kids loved it. Again, can dig up the name of it if you want....

Have a great time!

Tina

[amymole36]

We stayed at the Posado De Don Rodrigo in Panajachel...beautiful views of the lake...huge courtyard with a tire swing...nice pool with a waterslide...(my 3 year old LOVED that!)...and you can just walk through the town and shop.

We also took a boat ride to Santiago...definitely worth it and an awesome experience!!!

We went to Chichi on the way...on a Sunday...which was amazing, too. I know the market is only open on Sun and Thurs, so that might be an option for you on the way to Atitlan.