Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala
Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala
Santa Cruz La Laguna is one of the most remote and authentic municipalities on the northern shore of Lake Atitlán. With no road access—only reachable by boat from Panajachel—this small Kaqchikel village offers tranquility, volcanic mountains, coffee plantations, and one of the lake's most visited nature reserves: Cerro Tzankujil.
Things to do in Santa Cruz La Laguna?
- Hiking in Cerro Tzankujil: a natural park with trails of 1 to 2 hours, viewpoints with panoramic lake views, and a diving platform from the volcanic cliffs. Entrance Q15. Check our guide to Cerro Tzankujil for all the details.
- Diving in Lake Atitlán: Santa Cruz is home to ATI Divers, one of the most renowned freshwater diving centers in the world. They offer Open Water courses and dives to over 30 meters where unique underwater volcanic structures can be seen.
- La Iguana Perdida: an iconic hostel on the lake, a benchmark for backpackers in Central America. Hammocks, themed parties, and direct views of the three volcanoes are its unmistakable hallmarks.
- Hiking to the upper village: the traditional Kaqchikel town center is 300 meters above the lake. A steep climb reveals the daily life of the municipality away from the tourist circuit.
- Kayaking and paddleboarding: the waters in front of Santa Cruz are calm in the mornings. Several hostels rent equipment by the hour to explore the northern shore.
How to get to Santa Cruz La Laguna?
The only access is by boat. From the public dock in Panajachel, collective boats pass every 30 to 60 minutes on the northern route (Santa Cruz, Jaibalito, Tzununá, San Marcos, San Pablo). The journey takes 15 minutes and costs between Q15 and Q25. You can also hire a private boat for greater schedule flexibility.
From San Marcos La Laguna, the boat takes only 10 minutes. There is also a pedestrian path connecting both villages along the lake shore.
The Kaqchikel community
Most inhabitants speak Kaqchikel as their first language. The upper village maintains a traditional pace of life with a market, cofradías (religious brotherhoods), and a colonial church, while the lake area concentrates accommodations and restaurants geared towards international travelers. This coexistence creates a peculiar multicultural atmosphere where hearing Kaqchikel, Spanish, and English on the same dock is common.
Where to eat and stay
Santa Cruz has options for all budgets: from hammocks in community hostels to private cabins with jacuzzis and volcano views. Restaurants serve a mix of Guatemalan and international cuisine. For more variety, hotels in Panajachel are just a 15-minute boat ride away.
When to visit Santa Cruz La Laguna
The best time to visit is from November to April (dry season). Avoid the afternoons when the Xocomil—the characteristic wind from the south of the lake—can pick up and suspend boat service. For camps and outdoor activities, sunrise on the northern shore is incomparable.
Related pages
What to do in Santa Cruz La Laguna?
Travel Guides
Best Sunscreen for High Altitude in Guatemala: Traveler's Guide
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There's a mistake almost every first-time visitor to Guatemala makes: underestimating UV radiation at altitude. At sea level (Guatemala City, 1,500m)...
Best Sunscreen for High Altitude in Guatemala: Traveler's Guide
Best Sunscreen for High Altitude in Guatemala: Traveler's Guide
Atitlán GT
Frequently Asked Questions