How to get to Atitlán depends on where you’re starting. The paintings themselves are beautiful, but the view of the lake and surrounding mountains is equally as outstanding. Once you reach the top, you’ll see that the entire deck is painted as one giant mural, with bright colors depicting the rich agricultural traditions of the region: there are women picking coffee, men harvesting corn, and many other scenes. This viewpoint takes about a 30-minute hike to reach, and as you ascend, you’ll notice that the stairs begin to change, getting more and more colorful. ![]() Here you’ll enjoy walking the streets and admiring the street art, but the real gem of San Juan is the Mirador Kiaq’Aiswaan. San Juan is a charming small town next to the large backpacker haven of San Pedro. The tour cost 60 quetzales (less than $10 USD). It ended up being quite interesting, and the guide took me to a traditional Maya temple of sorts, a cool lookout, and an artists’ collective. There are many guides on tuk-tuks offering tours, which I initially thought would be a total scam - and decided to do anyway. While you’re here, consider exploring the town to learn more about the culture. Even after going to some fantastic markets in Antigua, I still think the selection of artesenías in Santiago reigns supreme. Shopping for handicrafts is the name of the game here, including a variety of textiles, leather goods, and wood-carved statues, among other items. It’s known for its unique art style, and you’ll see lots of shops selling original paintings. Though Santiago is technically the largest town on the lake (I previously thought it was Panajachel but was corrected by a local guide), it retains its strong cultural identity. If you’re in a pinch for time, make it Santiago. If you opt out of a tour, make sure not to skip out on visiting at least one Mayan village.
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