Santa Cruz La Laguna and the quieter villages
Santa Cruz La Laguna climbs a slope above Lake Atitlán. Tzununá, Jaibalito and San Marcos are neighboring stops on the same public boat route, and Santa Catarina Palopó is reached from Panajachel. These places are smaller and slower than Panajachel or San Pedro. Access differs from place to place, so ask your lodging how to get from the pier or the road to the door.
This page starts with Santa Cruz, where classes and a training café are the main draws. It then covers Tzununá and Santa Catarina Palopó. Check hours, prices and the day's weather before you go, since small places change often.
Classes in Santa Cruz
Prices per person from the operator's own listing, March 2025.
| Class | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking class | 2.5 hours, then a 3-course meal and a drink | $40 (Q308) | Minimum 2 people |
| Bead-making class | 2.5 hours | $20 (Q150) | $15 (Q110) for groups of more than 3 |
| Backstrap loom class | 2.5 hours | $20 (Q150) | The scarf you weave is included |
The operator lists dollars and quetzales side by side. Do not use them as today's exchange rate. Contact the operator to reserve, since availability is not shown on the listing. The classes are run by a local organization that also runs a training program, and graduates of that program work in the café below.
Tours and day trips from Panajachel
Boat trips, hikes and village visits around the lake, with live prices and availability.
The training café in Santa Cruz
Lunch or coffee with a purpose.
The café is run by graduates of the training program. It is listed as open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in a source from January 2026. Groups are asked to reserve in advance. Because opening hours can change, check them on the day, especially if you plan the visit around a boat time.
If you want to add a colonial city before or after your lake days, the Antigua Guatemala guide covers it.
Tzununá
A stop on the public boat route.
Tzununá is on the public boat route between Panajachel and San Juan, between Jaibalito and San Marcos. The published fare for the stops on that route is Q25 (April 2025). Ask your lodging for directions from the pier to the house and for help with luggage, and plan your arrival in daylight. The next village on the route is San Marcos La Laguna.
Santa Catarina Palopó
Painted houses and steep streets.
What you see
The village is known for painted façades and murals. A central plaza has a church, the streets are steep, and the village has a pier. The colors and patterns are inspired by Indigenous textiles.
The painting project
The designer involved describes patterns drawn from historical and current huipiles, the traditional blouses, and a target of 950 façades. That is a project description, not a count of houses already painted. Do not count on a particular street being painted on the day you visit.
Getting there
A road leaves Panajachel for Santa Catarina Palopó, and the village also has a pier. Check the current options in Panajachel. If you take a tuk-tuk or other local transport, agree on the price before you start.
Panajachel guide →Fees
Ask what any fee is for before you pay, whether for a viewpoint, a photo or a painting activity. A fee that is missing from a listing does not mean something is free.
Getting around by boat
Public boats link Santa Cruz and Tzununá with Panajachel.
Times and fares
The published hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from Panajachel and 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. towards Panajachel, about every 20 minutes. Another guide gives Q15–25 depending on the route and the load. Ask for the last boat of the day on the spot.
Safety on the water
Wear a life jacket, make sure children's jackets fit, and follow the captain's instructions. A boat capsized near Santa Cruz on 27 January 2026, and two tourists from Panama died. Their authorities pointed to strong gusts known as Xocomil, but a single proven cause has not been established. The official tourism page describes unpredictable wind and waves and possible schedule changes.
Weather and wind →Plan the rest of your trip
More villages and practical pages.
Panajachel
The main access point with the pier and Calle Santander.
San Marcos La Laguna
Yoga, the Tzankujil reserve and a boat stop.
Getting there
Shuttles, buses and lake boats.
On Thursdays and Sundays you can reach the Chichicastenango market as a day trip from Panajachel.
Santa Cruz La Laguna: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Santa Cruz La Laguna?
By public boat from Panajachel. The route also stops at Jaibalito, Tzununá, San Marcos, San Pablo and San Juan. A published fare is Q25 (April 2025). Confirm the price before you board.
Can I take a cooking class in Santa Cruz?
Yes. A local organization lists a 2.5-hour class with a 3-course meal and a drink for $40 (Q308) per person, minimum 2 people (March 2025 listing). Contact the operator to reserve.
What is in Tzununá?
It is a stop on the public boat route. Ask your lodging about the way from the pier to the door and about help with luggage.
Can I visit the painted houses of Santa Catarina Palopó?
Yes. The village has painted façades, a plaza with a church, steep streets and a pier. Which houses are painted on the day is not guaranteed, so treat the walk as a stroll rather than a checklist.
Is the lake safe for boats?
Wind and waves can change the schedule. A boat capsized near Santa Cruz on 27 January 2026. Wear the life jacket and ask locals about the conditions.