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Municipality and town in Sololá, Guatemala
Photo: Toby Argüelles, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
San Juan La Laguna is a town on Lake Atitl%C3%A1n. In the past, it may not have had nearly as many tourists as other towns around the lake, but this seems to have changed. Yet, it's still considered the better option by many before San Pedro and San Marcos.
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The church was built in the 15th century and is beautiful from the outside and inside. On the right-hand side you can see the Rostro Maya, mountains forming a lying face of an Indian in the distance.
Rostro Maya
La Nariz del Indio, a mountain named after its resemblance to a Mayan's profile with a prominent nose, lies just NNW of town. It is now a national park with well maintained trails, informational displays, roofed miradores (lookouts) and a Q50 entrance fee. The entrance lies along the main road heading out of town towards San Pablo (clockwise around the lake). The entire hike in and out can be done in 3-4 hours easily. Alternatively, one can take a different route out the back towards Santa Clara la Laguna, then catch pickup trucks or tuk-tuks back towards San Pablo and then San Juan (Q10 each leg for Q20 total).
Climb el mirador for a fantastic view over the lake. It is a 10-min climb up the same path as for la Nariz del Indio. No guide needed, a policeman is even at the plattform.
Walk into one of the textile associations like Casa Flor Ixcaco Weaving Cooperative or Asociacion de Mujeres en Colores Botanico and ask them to show you how thread is made from cotton and how they produce the many different colors naturally. Leave a small donation unless you purchase something afterwards.
See a demonstration at Licor Marron on how cocoa is grown and chocolate is produced. They also have a shop where they sell handmade products.
Comedor Elenita is popular among locals and serves set Guatemaltecan lunch. Veggie option available. Fish plates are around Q70.
Get chocofrutas in this small shop. The fruits are frozen and are dipped into liquid chocolate.
Good breakfast restaurant with international food and very good coffee. Often very full, but has some tables in the garden.
Is much more expensive, around US$50 for a double, but it has large, well-maintained grounds with a volleyball court, hot tub, sauna, its own dock, etc. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
Lakeside and 1 km east of San Juan. Panoramic views. 5 rooms 5 cabins 2 apartments.
Lanchas from Panajachel heading to San Pedro la Laguna will take you to the dock in San Juan if you ask. A tuk-tuk from San Pedro should cost no more than Q15, and just walking it is fairly quick (~2 km).
Read in the guideThe town is small enough to easily walk to any part of it within 10 minutes.
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