San Juan La Laguna

Travel Guide

San Juan La Laguna featuring a lake or waterhole and mountains
San Juan La Laguna showing markets
San Juan La Laguna which includes boating and general coastal views
San Juan La Laguna which includes boating and general coastal views
San Juan La Laguna which includes signage as well as a small group of people

One of the smallest towns on Lake Atitlán is renowned for its colorful Mayan art, outdoor adventures and important religious shrine.

San Juan La Laguna is a small town on the western shore of Lake Atitlán, home to a largely indigenous population of Tz´utujil people. Discover centuries-old traditions, a wealth of natural beauty and a shrine to a Mayan folk saint.

Embark on a walking tour of the town to see traditional weaving cooperatives where women weave with foot looms. Get insight into the entire process, from creating dye from leaves to preparing the yarn and weaving. Visit the Xocomeel art association to see works in progress and to learn how to paint. As you walk along the streets, pause to study murals that preserve the Mayan culture. They have been painted on several homes and vividly bring to life aspects of day-to-day living as well as the customs and traditions of San Juan La Laguna.

For more insight into traditional practices, go to Tza’an Ab’aaj a managed garden by the lake. Here, you will find out about sustainable growing methods and organic agriculture. Stop by the adjacent café where some of the food is made with ingredients from the garden.

One of the highlights of San Juan La Laguna is the Shrine of St. Maximón in the town center, behind the church. The legend of the folk saint is complex, but it is believed that he was a pre-Columbian Mayan god.

Head a little north of the town to hike up a mountain known as La Nariz del Indio. Nariz is the Spanish word for nose and the mountain earned its sobriquet because of its resemblance to a typical Mayan face in profile. There are also a few more hiking routes through the area.

You can reach San Juan by boat from other lakeside towns or by bus from Guatemala City. The town can be walked in a matter of minutes, but if you want a break, jump aboard a tuk-tuk.

Enjoy a vacation of Mayan cultural insights and outdoor exploration.

Eco Hotel Uxlabil Atitlan
Eco Hotel Uxlabil Atitlan
3 out of 5
Km 175 from Guatemala City, San Juan La Laguna, Solola
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$1,120 per night from Jul 15 to Jul 16
NT$1,120
NT$1,833 total
Jul 15 - Jul 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Juan La Laguna. Enjoy free breakfast, a sauna, and onsite spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (278 reviews)
"Beautiful place! One of the best places you can stay. Gardens are beautiful. All hotel has great views. Room were great, confy, clean, culturally decorated, all the place was just beautiful! The hotel even calls the boat for you to be picked up right from the hotel to go to the other beautiful towns ..."

Reviewed on 2025/7/9

Eco Hotel Uxlabil Atitlan
Hotel Mercy
Hotel Mercy
2 out of 5
7ma calle 07017, San juan la laguna, solola, San Juan La Laguna, Solola
The price is NT$1,052 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
NT$1,052
NT$1,729 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Juan La Laguna. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and furnished balconies or patios. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and CHIYA Art ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (23 reviews)
"We were a little bit sceptical about this hotel because it is relatively new - but we loved our stay and would recommend it! The staff is very kind and helpful; the hotel has recently introduced free breakfast coffee, which is delicious and made to order. It is very well located to the centre of ..."

Reviewed on 2025/6/9

Hotel Mercy
Hotel Casa Ki'iil San Juan La Laguna
Hotel Casa Ki'iil San Juan La Laguna
2 out of 5
Canto Xaak'al, San Juan La Laguna, Sololá
Book a stay at this beach hotel in San Juan La Laguna. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and CHIYA Art Gallery ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (21 reviews)
"Just a bit pricey, but worth to try booking directly with the property. The property is quiet, relaxing and the included breakfast was so good!!!"

Reviewed on 2025/7/8

Hotel Casa Ki'iil San Juan La Laguna
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sarnai
Sarnai
4.5 out of 5
123 Lake Dr, San Marcos La Laguna, Sololá Department
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury apartment in San Marcos La Laguna. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (23 reviews)
"Excellent customer service!"

Reviewed on 2025/7/4

Sarnai
Refugio del Volcan
Refugio del Volcan
3.5 out of 5
La Finca, San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá Department
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in San Pedro La Laguna. Enjoy free WiFi, private hot tubs, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and Museo Tz'unun ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Great property. Quiet, quaint, and peaceful. My only recommendations for improvement would be to do a contactless check-in like Casa Lobo. This would save time for both the management/owners and any potential guests. Then people can just check-in with a special pinpad or lockbox. Especially since ..."

Reviewed on 2025/4/18

Refugio del Volcan
Villas Jucanya
Villas Jucanya
3.5 out of 5
Barrio Jucanya, Calle del Lago, Frente al Lago (juegos infantiles), Panajachel, Solola
Stay at this 3.5-star beach vacation home in Panajachel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and La Galeria are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (37 reviews)
"Todo está muy bien el personal muy amable Lo único que no me gustó fue que tiene aire acondicionado Y hace mucho calor"

Reviewed on 2025/3/17

Villas Jucanya
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of San Juan La Laguna

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 67%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I loved the peace of San Juan and the friendliness of the residents. There are not too many tourists compared to San Marcos, San Pedro, or Pana. There are also less food options, but there's a bunch to do like visit the cooperativas, coffee tours, ka

Cities near San Juan La Laguna