Santa Cruz La Laguna

Travel Guide

Santa Cruz La Laguna featuring a city and landscape views
Santa Cruz La Laguna which includes street scenes
Santa Cruz La Laguna which includes a lake or waterhole and a small town or village
Santa Cruz La Laguna showing mountains and a small town or village
Santa Cruz La Laguna which includes a house and general coastal views

This traditional Mayan village on Lake Atitlán offers scenic beauty, scuba diving trips and insight into the indigenous way of life.

Take a boat to the small, remote Mayan village of Santa Cruz La Laguna. Walk its traffic-free streets, explore tropical gardens and experience an underwater adventure beneath Lake Atitlán.

Santa Cruz La Laguna has two parts, a waterfront area of hotels and the traditional village situated in the mountains. The only way to access the area is by boat.

Upon arrival, walk up the steep road to the Mayan village that sits high above the lake. Santa Cruz La Laguna may lack such features as cathedrals or museums that distinguish other places, but you will be fascinated by a village that has changed little over the centuries. Stroll along cobblestone streets that take you past adobe houses with corrugated tin roofs. Greet the locals, many of whom will be dressed in traditional costume.

Extend your walking tour by taking the trails through the surrounding countryside or by the lake. Alternatively, go on a steep hike to the village of Chiutzancháj.

Scuba divers have a chance to explore the lake’s underwater world when they visit the dive school at the La Iguana Perdida hotel. There are courses and dive sites suitable for all ability levels, from beginners to experienced divers. Dive among volcanic rock formations and see aquatic life near the active fault line that leaks hot water into the lake. For a few hours’ worth of fun above the surface, rent a kayak and paddle across the lake.

If you are looking for a way to unwind, go to the Los Elementos Day Spa for massage treatments, beauty therapies and yoga sessions on the beach.

The taxi boat that services Santa Cruz La Lugana runs throughout the day from Panajachel and San Pedro. Stay in hotels, villas, beach houses or apartments. Be prepared to extend your stay, because the stunning scenery, tranquil surroundings and simple way of life are irresistible draws.

Hotel y Cafe La Casa del Mundo
Hotel y Cafe La Casa del Mundo
3 out of 5
El Jaibalito, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Solola
The price is NT$1,864 per night from Jul 12 to Jul 13
NT$1,864
NT$2,274 total
Jul 12 - Jul 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Santa Cruz La Laguna. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (212 reviews)
"The setting and ambiance is unmatched. Unbelievably beautiful, super friendly people and good vibes all around. Stairs are a fun challenge. Views are unreal. Above and beyond service. Some notes- food not great and expensive. I recommend eating out as much as possible. I wish there were a Whatsapp ..."

Reviewed on 2025/7/6

Hotel y Cafe La Casa del Mundo
Hotel Isla Verde
Hotel Isla Verde
3 out of 5
Zona 0 sector Paskrabal, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Solola
The price is NT$2,478 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
NT$2,478
NT$3,023 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Santa Cruz La Laguna. Enjoy a beach locale, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and Los Elementos ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (65 reviews)
"A lot of stairs to the rooms. No A/C, no screens on the doors so you have to close the doors and gets a little hot. Beautiful scenery of the lake from the rooms. Birds singing in the morning. Cafeteria is facing the lake. Beautiful"

Reviewed on 2025/6/27

Hotel Isla Verde
Art & Coffee
Art & Coffee
4 out of 5
Bajada Muelle, 00001, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá
The price is NT$460 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
NT$460
NT$561 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Santa Cruz La Laguna. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and Tzantizotz Nature ...
7.4/10 Good! (3 reviews)
"Despite the error made on the part of Expedia as far as how many rooms we had reserved, the owner gave us the same discount on the third room. He also was very helpful in providing information about the area - restaurants, swimming holes and hiking trails. The kitchen was available to the guest to ..."

Reviewed on 2025/5/30

Art & Coffee
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.
Casa Hagan
Casa Hagan
3 out of 5
Jaibalito, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Solola
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Santa Cruz La Laguna. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and ...
Casa Hagan
Casa Paxanax
Casa Paxanax
3.5 out of 5
Santa Cruz La laguna, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá
Stay at this 3.5-star beach vacation home in Santa Cruz La Laguna. Enjoy in-room massages, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions ...
"The house is dirty, smells humid, dust everywhere, no hot water after 1 minute of shower, no a/c, everything is old and outdated, sheets and towels were stained, it’s in the middle of nowhere in the jungle. We found a scorpion in the bedroom. The only good thing is who manages de property, that service ..."

Reviewed on 2024/8/9

Casa Paxanax
Casa Wenche
Casa Wenche
3 out of 5
Santa Cruz la Laguna, Santa Cruz La Laguna
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Santa Cruz La Laguna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions Lake Atitlán and Los Elementos ...
A bit disappointing.
"The hotel room was fine. Not at all like was shown in the pictures. Mold in the corners of the room. The bathroom window, which opened out on to a corridor wouldn't lock either. The shower was hot or cold and the room lacked basics like a full length mirror or anywhere to hang clothes. The room had ..."

Reviewed on 2025/4/27

Casa Wenche
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 Santa Cruz La Laguna

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 30%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Beautiful place, dangerous outside of town