Is Lake Atitlan safe?

Welcome to our Lake Atitlan safety guide.

One of the most popular sights to visit in Guatemala, there’s no place quite like Lake Atitlan.

Surrounded by volcanoes from all sides and home to various Mayan lakeside towns, it’s worth spending more time here to really get to know this special region (unlike most tourists who quickly see the highlights and then leave).

Lake Atitlan Quick Summary:

• 📍 Where is it: Southern Guatemala
• 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Easy
• ⏱ Time needed: 3-5 Days
• ☀️ Best Time to Visit: February/March

Is Lake Atitlan Safe?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need to know about Safety in Lake Atitlan as a backpacker or traveler.

We’ll look at all the different factors, our top safety tips, other useful information as well as an FAQ section where we answer your key questions.

You’ll find that it will feel similar to other Guatemalan destinations such as Antigua and Flores, for those who have already spent time traveling through the country.

We would advise any travelers who are thinking of heading to Lake Atitlan to prepare properly before arriving, and to get in touch with us where we can offer more guidance.

Is Lake Atitlan Safe Right Now?

Quick Answer: Mostly So – Lake Atitlan is a pretty safe area of Guatemala to visit, and the lake itself is fine for swimming by the shores. It can get pretty choppy further into the middle, so be sure to go with a reputable boat tour if hopping between towns this way.

Many of the towns such as San Marcos and Santiago are mostly safe to visit. Others like Panajachel and San Pedro La Laguna are safe during the day, but can feel a bit sketchy at night. Always leave valuables locked away when exploring the towns, since pickpocketing continues to be a risk here (like with much of the rest of Guatemala).

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Where to Stay in Lake Atitlan

Things to do in Lake Atitlan

Due to the geography of the lake (as well as the distinct vibes of each town), we’ll find there’s quite a lot to do on Lake Atitlan.

The lake itself of course is the start highlight. Surrounded by many fiery volcanoes, even just coming down to the lakeshore at sunrise will be an incredible experience that you won’t forget any time soon.

It’s also worth heading on a boat tour around the lake to visit some of the different towns, which is ideal if you’ll only be staying for a few days.

Getting active by hiking and walking around is something else that’s abundantly on offer here.

Volcanoes like La India Dormida and Volcán Atitlan are popular day trips to take from the different towns, where you’ll also enjoy the scenic countryside along the way (lots of avocado trees and farms around here).

We highly recommend this sunrise hike up to La India Dormida which includes all transport and entrance fees.

Lake Atitlan also has a strong sense of community, and is the perfect place to get immersed (especially if planning on staying longer which most do).

There’s many Spanish schools here which are great for picking up the local lingo whilst staying in a pretty awesome place. However, if you’re not planning to study at a Spanish school in Lake Atitlan, you can always learn some basic Spanish lingo before you arrive.

Those in need of winding down and reconnecting with themselves will want to head to San Marcos, which is much more relaxed and is home to many yoga and relaxation retreats.

Is Lake Atitlan Safe to Visit?

Lake Atitlan Travel Warnings

Again as mentioned before, the towns here are mostly safe although it’s worth being extra cautious when out exploring at night. Petty crime remains a risk here (which is rife throughout Guatemala), and as such it’s best to avoid becoming a target in the first place.

The biggest warnings from our side are actually all to do with nature. At the end of the day Lake Atitlan is pretty massive, and as such is still quite wild and inaccessible in parts.

This means it’s vitally important to only take boat rides from reputable companies, as an accident here can be fatal (given how long it can take for emergency services to be able to find you).

If you’re visiting from Antigua then it’s worth going with a highly-rated provider who sticks to good safety practices. We recommend this awesome day tour which includes private transport as well as stops in various Mayan villages.

Crime in Lake Atitlan

It’s really important to remember that much of Guatemala remains extremely poor with many still living in poverty. Now whilst areas of Lake Atitlan are more built-up, this doesn’t mean locals have it easy too.

Whilst it doesn’t mean they’re all out to get you, there’s definitely an increased risk of opportunistic thieves around these areas, so you’ll always want to take care (we’ll list some practical tips later in this guide).

These issues are most prevalent in Panajachel (it has the largest population and connects to the rest of the country) as well as San Pedro La Laguna.

The latter is known to be the biggest tourist hotspot, which has had various incidents in the past (most were just drunk travelers being stupid and getting robbed though).

More serious crimes like rape or assault are not common, but can still be a risk. This is why it’s important to stay within well-lit areas, and preferably in the touristy areas of the major towns.

Safety in Lake Atitlan during the day

The vibe in most of the towns during the day is super friendly and amicable. Although it definitely feels over-touristy in places, the benefit of this is that you’ll feel safer as a result.

Walking around pretty much everywhere is fine, although it’s still a good idea (as always) to leave valuables like your passport and credit cards locked away in your accommodation. This is even more important when heading into the more local areas and busy markets.

Another risk out here is the sun. Although Lake Atitlan is located up in the highlands, the sun can get super strong in the day. This means you’ll want to lather up and reapply frequently (especially so when out on boat rides or paddleboarding).

Lake Atitlan Safety at Night

Whilst the majority of crime and issues happen at night, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll become a statistic too.

As mentioned many locals in these areas are still poor, so it’s common sense to dress down and leave flashy accessories back in your room to avoid drawing too much attention to yourself. This alone will help mitigate most of the risk of getting robbed, although you’ll still want to follow our other advice listed below in this guide.

More serious crimes against tourists are usually opportunistic too. This means it’s wise to not get plastered and try to walk home by yourself. It’s always best to go out in groups, and also to avoid walking back on unlit roads (or on a route you’re not already familiar with).

This is similar to most other areas you’ll visit in Guatemala, so just follow the same advice for each place.

7 Safety Tips for Lake Atitlan

Below we will list 7 of our top safety tips for when heading to Lake Atitlan.

1. Stay near the Lake Shore

In most towns here these will be the more touristy parts. Whilst not only safer, they’ll also have more amenities such as restaurants, bars and local shops. We’ve already suggested our top picks for where to stay in Lake Atitlan, however you can look through other top rated accommodation options too here on Booking.com before you arrive.

2. Dress Down

Many parts of Lake Atitlan (and Guatemala in general) are still extremely poor. Whilst this makes it ideal for budget travel and saving, it does mean you’ll want to be more humble too. Not only to respect the locals who have much less than you do, but also to avoid making yourself a target to opportunistic thieves and other criminals.

3. Keep Valuables in Front Pockets

Ideally you’d leave them all in your apartment, however things like your phone and wallet are obvious brings. Keeping them in your front pockets makes it much harder for you to be unknowingly robbed, and also as these pockets are directly within your line of sight. In the busy markets (especially when heading on a tour to Chichicastenango), it’s worth regularly checking every now and again to make sure everything’s still there.

4. Only Drink Bottled Water

Central America is notorious for making travelers sick, and even the most experienced still get a bout of sickness or diarrhea from time to time. Drinking poor sources of water is usually the culprit, and can be almost entirely eliminated by only drinking from sealed bottles of water. Also be sure to throw out any bottles that are older than a couple of days to keep it high quality and fresh. As an extra precaution, you can also carry a Grayl bottle as well, which we highly recommend you carry with you on all your travels in Central America.

5. Consider Travel Insurance

This area of Guatemala is known for its abundance of awesome experiences and activities, and whilst here you’ll rightfully want to make the most of it. World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers. If you leave home without travel insurance or your policy runs out, you can buy or extend while on the road. Whilst it’s highly unlikely you’ll need to use it, it’ll give you piece of mind when out exploring and enjoying yourself.

6. Avoid eating at Dodgy Restaurants

Whilst we love saving where possible, Guatemala is one of those countries where it’s actually better to spend a bit more than to constantly risk it.

Unless you don’t mind getting sick from time to time then by all means go for it, however with local food you’ll want to be more selective as to where you choose to eat. As a rule of thumb, always stick to busy restaurants when eating street food in Guatemala.

7. Use Safe and Reputable Boats to travel across Lake Atitlan

We’ll be honest in saying that we’ve done it with all kinds of drivers, and let’s just say some rides were more eventful than others.

Now whilst it’s not easy to guess which are better than others, you can always ask your accommodation for their recommended contact.

Organized boat tours like this one are also a great option as they only use the best captains around.

Lake Atitlan Safety FAQ Guide:

Is Lake Atitlan Safe? Final Words

And that’s all for our guide on how to stay safe in Lake Atitlan.

One of the most scenic natural areas you can visit in Guatemala (and also the rest of Central America), Lake Atitlan remains a top bucket-list travel destination. As well as having an interesting mix of both local and touristy vibes, there’s also many awesome landscapes and volcanoes to enjoy hikes on too.

Safety in Lake Atitlan remains a hot topic, especially as there have been many reported cases of petty theft or robbery against tourists. However as you’ve seen this is easy to prevent in the first place, assuming you’re following our safety tips listed in this article.

In this guide, we’ve explored the current safety situation in Lake Atitlan, which includes the areas to avoid, as well as any current travel advisories.

As well as looking at the best things to do in Lake Atitlan, we’ve also included our FAQ which answers your most burning questions.

While you’re here, read our Guatemala Itinerary for more tips and travel inspiration.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.

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