Getting Here Getting to Guatemala Getting to Lake Atitlan Getting to Santiago Atitlan Getting to the Posada Getting to Guatemala Many International carriers offer frequent flights to Guatemala's "La Aurora" International Airport in Guatemala City, the nation's capital.While most carriers offer similar prices, we have found that the budget airline Spirit Air often has the best ticket prices, particularly during off-season. As with travel to any vacation destination, money can be saved by reserving flights early in advance, and by travelling outside of peak vacation season. Guatemala's peak tourist seasons are around Semana Santa (Easter week), June-July, and late December through to early January (Christmas Holiday). In 2007, a round trip coach ticket from California to Guatemala ranged from as high as $750 during Christmas peak season, to as low as $210 in February.

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As arriving in Guatemala's International airport can be hectic, many travellers elect to arrange for a shuttle to meet them at the airport. Arranging a shuttle is particularly advisable for night arrivals, as the sprawling capital can be more difficult to navigate effectively later in the evening. ( The Posada heartily recommends that night arrivals to not stay in the capital, but rather at a hotel in the Baroque city of Antigua. It is only forty minutes from the capital by taxi, one of the most charming cities in Guatemala, and a hub for many buses and shuttle services to other areas of the country.)

Getting to Lake Atitlan

Although Lake Atitlan is only 40 miles West from the capital, curving roads and mountainous volcanic terrain result in about 100 miles of road and over 3 hours of driving. The towns of Panajachel and Santiago Atitlan are the two primary arrival points on lake Atitlan, and can be reached by bus, shuttle, rental car, helicopter or biplane.

Buses
Buses leave for Atitlan from the capital on an hourly basis from the Rebuli in zone 1, and many other locations throughout the city. Travellers interested in the authentic Guatemalan transportation experience will enjoy the colorful but cramped company of locals, backpackers, and livestock as these retrofitted elementary school buses make their way out to the lake. A word of caution: if you are planning to travel with a great deal of baggage, were born with long legs, suffer from claustrophobia, experience road sickness, or just fear for your life when exposed to erratic driving, you may prefer an alternate form of transportation. Bus fare to lake Atitlan will generally run under $10 per person, and will take 3-4.5 hours.

Shuttles
Guatemala has a number of door-to-door shuttle services that service Guatemala City, Antigua, Panajachel, and Santiago Atitlan. As these shuttles will meet you at the airport or your hotel and drive you directly to your destination (usually picking up a few more passengers along the way) in a van-sized vehicle with reasonable seating space, most of our clientele considers them to be well worth the added cost (usually about $25 per person from Guatemala City to Panajachel). For those travellers interested in travelling directly to the Posada de Santiago, there is the Santiago-based Shuttle Servicios Juanon. As there are a limited number of shuttles, reservations are best made far in advance. (In December of 2007 a shuttle service was about $90, divided equally among passengers. The van comfortably sits up to nine passengers. Again, inquire ahead if you are hoping to reduce costs by joining a shuttle that already has other passengers.)

Rentals
For those planning to do a great deal of driving while in Guatemala, a rental car is often an extremely enjoyable option. Many reasonable rental services are available right outside the Airport, offering a nice selection of cars for around $20-$50 dollars a day. Those driving to the Posada will enjoy a much shorter trip (3 hours), and a choice of routes. On hot days, the highland route offers incredible vistas and some interesting scenery through wild windy roads. On cooler days, early mornings, in cars with good air conditioning, or for those prone towards car-sickness, the coastal route provides straight well-maintained roads through the sugar-cane growing coastal plain of Guatemala, until finally climbing the back of the Lake Atitlan volcanic basin. Both routes take a little over three hours to reach Santiago Atitlan from the capital.

Air
For affluent travellers and the impatient, it is possible to reach lake Atitlan by air in less than half an hour. Helicopter and biplane reservations can be made from the airport. Although certainly more expensive than land travel, the dramatically reduced travel time and incredible vistas can often be well worth it, especially for those with plentiful funds but limited time. A taxi can be reserved to meet arriving guests from the airstrip, about ten minutes away from the Posada de Santiago.

Helicopter Tours
Helicopter Travel
Helicopter Travel 2

Getting from Panajachel to Santiago Atitlan

Santiago can be reached from Panajachel by bus, car, ferry, or water taxi. As the winding road around the Eastern shore of the lake can take over an hour, almost everyone prefers the 15 water taxis. Speed boats with seats for about 15 people, the taxis wait along the shore of Panajachel's main dock, waiting to fill with passengers. Upon arrival at the docks, unless you appear Latin and bear no tell-tale touristic tokens (sun-glasses, large bags, khaki shorts, etc), you will be immediately encouraged to pay for a 'ticket' or an 'exclusivo.' The tickets are of no value, and best avoided. 'Exclusivos' are water taxi's hired exclusively for your party: you will not have to wait for or tolerate other passengers, and you will be dilivered directly to the Posada docks, but you will be expected to pay accordingly (anywhere from Q125-250/$15-$35). If you don't mind waiting twenty minutes, ask for a 'Collectivo por Santiago.' Collectivos will charge around $3-$4 per person to Santiago for the 15-20 minute trip. ( Do not be alarmed if you are told the collectivo is gone or not running: you are just talking to a captain that is hoping to take you somewhere else. Politely ignore that person and continue towards the boats, where the actual captains will speak with you. )

Getting to la Posada de Santiago

Once in Santiago Atitlan, there will be no shortage of friendly Tuk-Tuk (Red golfcart-like taxis) drivers willing to take you to the Posada de Santiago for about $1 a person. Those with little luggage may prefer walking; a colorful fifteen minute walk across the pueblo's main textile streets, by the market, passed the four hundred year old catholic church, and along the majestic sourthern shoreline cliffs. A map is included: if lost, everyone in Santiago knows where the Posada is located, and will be happy to point the way. (If anyone has elected themselves to be your guide, whether you find this helpful or not, they will expect a small payment on arrival. If you find this helpful, offer them Q5; otherwise, firmly discourage their company early.). It is also possible to get to the Posada by speedboat or canoe. Many of the local speedboat captains will be happy to transport take you on a five minute ride to our dock for about $8. The diehard environmentalist or romantic inclined might prefer to approach a Tzjutujil fisherman and ask for a ride in his canoe. This will take about half an hour, but offers a heartwrenching view of the volcanoes and hidden coves of children swimming and women washing clothes against rocks. A canoe can safely hold about two travelers in addition to the chauffeur. The price for the ride should be settled in advance, and could cost anywhere from Q15-35 (2-5 dollars) per person.