If you're looking for a stunning destination boasting breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural experiences, then Lake Atitlan in Guatemala should be at the top of your bucket list. But why visit just the most popular villages? For the true adventurer, there's no better place to immerse yourself in the local Mayan culture than Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó.
A day trip to these two hidden gems offers more than just scenic views of the lake. You'll be awestruck by the vibrant, traditional patterns that adorn the houses, learn about the local history at the museums, and witness skilled artisans work their magic at pottery workshops. And the views? Breathtaking panoramas of the lake that will make your heart skip a beat. So, pack your bags and take a day trip to the two Kaqchikel Maya villages to experience the true essence of Lake Atitlan.
How to get to Santa Catarina Palopó?
To get to Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó, the best transport options are from Panajachel. You can either take a tuk-tuk or a shared jeep.
We shared a tuk-tuk to Santa Catarina from Panajachel, because there were four of us the tuk-tuk was really full! We paid 15 Q per person, not much more than a shared jeep and we didn’t have to wait.
If you are staying in a different village, you need to get to Panajachel first. As we were staying in San Pedro, we took a lancha (public boat) across Lake Atitlan to Panajachel for 25 Q per person.
Santa Catarina Palopó
Upon arriving at Santa Catarina Palopó, we immediately noticed how beautiful it was - every house had its own unique pattern painted on it! This made walking around town even more enjoyable as each turn revealed new colors and designs.
History of the Colorful Houses
Today, Santa Catarina Palopó is known for its colorful houses with traditional patterns. The village used to be full of gray concrete buildings and empty of tourists just a few years ago. Then they started raising funds to paint houses colorful with traditional patterns and managed to paint hundreds of houses already.
The goal was simple: To attract tourists that give income to the poor village. It worked! While tourism is growing, at this point, Santa Catarina is still off-the-beaten-track despite being so close to tourism hub Panajachel.
Although several villages on the lake boast of street art murals resembling paintings, none come close to the colorful houses adorned with traditional patterns that you will find in Santa Catarina. The uniqueness and authenticity of the art here are bound to leave you spellbound.
Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó Museum
Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó is the home of the project that organizes the paintings of the houses. The friendly guide explained to us the history of the project and meanings of different patterns. We were amazed by how much work it takes to paint just one house! It was fascinating to learn about this unique initiative that has transformed a once-dull village into a colorful paradise.
We learned from our guide that each family chooses their own pattern, and each pattern represents different things from Maya culture such as animals and nature. These patterns have historically been used in textiles.
The museum is free to visit, but they happily accept a donation that will help to fund the painting of more houses.
Centro Cultural Museum & Weaving Cooperative
If you're in Santa Catarina Palopó, you won't want to miss Centro Cultural - a fascinating, and best of all, totally free museum that showcases the wonders of Kaqchikel Maya culture. Centro cultural is also home to a weaving cooperative where they demonstrate how they make beautiful products using traditional techniques.
They use the same beautiful patterns found on houses in their textiles, which are available for purchase at their shop. There's also a cafe at the top floor with an amazing panoramic view of the village.
We had an opportunity to watch women from Centro Cultural weave fabrics on looms using traditional techniques passed down through generations. It was impressive to see how much work goes into making these textiles.
Local Eateries
After exploring the colorful houses and museums, you might be wondering where to eat in Santa Catarina Palopó. While there are a few options available, we recommend avoiding the tourist restaurant on the lake that touts will try to win you over as soon as you get near the lake. The prices seemed elevated, we were skeptical about the quality of food and there was not even a nice view of the lake.
Instead, we opted for a simple local eatery at the town square opposite the church which was decent enough. It's worth noting that this is not a fancy restaurant but it's perfect if you're looking for authentic local cuisine.
Scenic Views of The Village
In most villages around Lake Atitlan, there is also a viewpoint (mirador) above the village. In Santa Catarina Palopó, it's located outside of town on the way to Panajachel. We saw it too late, otherwise, we would have asked our tuk-tuk driver to make a stop. From the center of town, it requires some walking - in the mid-day heat we skipped it. However, we found a great alternative.
Walking down the main street in the direction of San Antonio, we found a great rooftop cafe located above Artesania Tipica La Merced. They have many plants and cactuses on their rooftop, making it an ideal spot for relaxing after exploring Santa Catarina Palopó. Their photo exhibition downstairs is amazing too! You can see photos from the 70s when Lake Atitlan was much less developed. At the time of our visit, they only served drinks (no lunch).
Hot Springs in The Lake
Apart from the colorful houses and museums, there are other attractions in Santa Catarina Palopó that you can explore. One of them is the hot springs located within Lake Atitlan. It's not a traditional hot spring but rather the only spot in the lake where you can experience natural warm water. Unfortunately, we didn't get to visit it due to time constraints but if you have more time, it's definitely worth checking out.
Where to Stay
If you're seeking a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of the tourist scene, consider making Santa Catarina Palopó your base for a while. While wandering around, we stumbled upon Hotel Villa Santa Catarina and could easily see ourselves settling in for an extended stay. The charming hotel's inviting exterior and well-appointed interior had us at hello. Don't miss out on the chance to soak up the local culture at this lovely gem.
San Antonio Palopó
San Antonio Palopó is a small village located not far from Santa Catarina Palopó and a great destination to extend your day trip. We hopped on a shared jeep for 10 Q per person for the short drive. It's famous for its pottery and offers visitors a chance to see the process of making ceramics.
Colonial Church & Panoramic Views Over The Lake
The first thing we noticed upon arriving in San Antonio Palopó was the colonial church, which stands out among the other buildings in town. We climbed up to the hill where it's located and were rewarded with panoramic views over Lake Atitlan and the village.
Pottery Workshop & Shop
After taking in the views, we headed down to visit one of the local pottery workshops. The workshop is well-hidden, but locals offered to show us there.
We were impressed by how skilled these artisans are - they make everything from plates and bowls to vases and figurines. They use clay from nearby hillsides which has a unique texture. Although functional pottery has been around in San Antonio Palopó for centuries due to its great clay, they now produce ceramics with modern techniques that help them make a living.
The ceramics produced here are beautiful works of art that reflect Maya culture. We spent some time browsing through their shop filled with many ceramics for sale at reasonable prices.
Handcrafts & Souvenir Bargains
As in many other villages around Lake Atitlan, there are weaving cooperatives in San Antonio Palopó producing handcrafted textiles using traditional techniques. These cooperatives offer visitors an opportunity to learn about Maya culture while supporting local artisans who rely on tourism as their main source of income.
This village had some of the cheapest indigenous souvenirs we found anywhere around Lake Atitlan! A lady presented us with her products made locally in San Antonio Palopó. She said it was the same quality as those sold in more touristy places. According to her, souvenir shops are buying handcrafts in San Antonio Palopó and then reselling them at a markup. Then she shared the prices with us and what they charge in other places, and the prices she quoted seemed very low indeed. As we still had a long trip ahead of us and limited space in our backpacks, we only bought a colorful glasses retainer for just 1Q, but if you're looking to buy souvenirs, this is definitely the place to do it.
By buying here instead of at big souvenir stores in Panajachel or San Pedro, you will save some money and support locals who can really use a few extra Quetzales. However, if you are looking for "hippie souvenirs" such as necklaces made of semiprecious stones, you will find them in San Marcos and San Pedro.
Getting Back
We spent an entire day leisurely exploring these two charming villages. If you opt for an early start, you can even squeeze in a third village, but taking your time is highly recommended.
We thought that we could take a boat back to San Pedro via Santiago but were told that the docks in San Antonio Palopó only have private boats at the moment. So we paid 10 Q per person for a shared jeep back to Panajachel and took a lancha back to San Pedro from there. If you are not staying in Panajachel, ensure you make it to the last boat departing Panajachel. We were informed that the final boat left at 18:15; however, this is subject to change. Missing the last boat could leave you stranded for the night!
Final Advice Before Visiting Santa Catarina & San Antonio
In summary, if you're planning a trip to Lake Atitlan in Guatemala make sure to include a day trip to Santa Catarina Palopó & San Antonio Palopó! These two hidden gems offer unique experiences that cannot be found anywhere else around the lake. From colorful houses with traditional patterns to museums showcasing Maya culture and local crafts like pottery making - there's something here for everyone!
To make the most out of your visit to Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó, here are some tips that you should keep in mind:
- Take a shared jeep between Panajachel, Santa Catarina, and San Antonio Palopó. The ride costs only 10 Q per person and is a great way to experience local transportation.
- Wear comfortable shoes as the streets can be quite steep and uneven.
- Bring cash with you as there are no ATMs or banks in the villages and card payment is uncommon. All vendors accept Quetzales, but some may also accept US dollars.
- As a photographer, I know this can be difficult when spotting a great motive - but be respectful when taking photos of locals or their homes. Always ask for permission before taking a photo and respect their wishes if they decline.
- If you're interested in purchasing souvenirs, buy them from local artisans rather than big souvenir stores in Panajachel or San Pedro. This will help support the local economy and provide extra income for those who need it most.
If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-track experience while exploring Lake Atitlan's natural beauty and cultural heritage then these two villages should be included in your itinerary! A great alternative to exploring Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó on your own is joining a guided ATV tour of the two villages. This way, you can even explore some of the picturesque nature spots at the lake shore near the villages.