Top Things to do in Santiago Atitlan
10 Things to do in Santiago Atitlan That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala including Avesa Quantum Spa, Birding Atitlan Expeditions, Adventure and Nature Tours, Finca Xetuc, LeeAnn Heinbaugh - Iliana, Colonial Church, Cojolya Museum and Store, Mystical Yoga Farm, Kitequate. Kitebiard School, Iglesia Parroquial Santiago Apostol.
Restaurants in Santiago Atitlan
1. Avesa Quantum Spa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Full service day spa with handmade organic products. Holistic therapy spa including body and facial ozone treatments, lipo-laser body shaping, massage, body scrubs, custom shore side organic facials and more. Licensed and skilled therapists.
2. Birding Atitlan Expeditions
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
Santiago Atitlan known like the birds's house because many years ago there are many birds for type of the house that they people and birds love them and now you can always see the birds in specific places around Santiago Our objetive is to be your best option to have contact and to give you the best nature and the culture.
3. Adventure and Nature Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Salvador Coquix Lacan is the founder of Adventure & Nature Tours since 2008, he was born and raised in a town that is located south east of Lake Atitlan, that town its named is Santiago Atitlan and he is descendant of the Mayan Tzutujil ethnic. Salvador started learning English from scratch in 2011 with a volunteer who came to Santiago Atitlan and he was working with an asociation ANADESA. In 2012 He was able to have a conversation in English, so he started touring at Lake Atitlan since then. After a couple of years he wanted to do tours in other areas of Guatemala, so he went to a tourism school in Guatemala City to get a license as a national tourist guide. In the 2016 he had a training about birdwatching that was supported by Adubon Society. Now is guiding groups, taking private tours around lake atitlan and as well touring over all Guatemala! Now we are a great team of tour guides who work together in our area. Our partners can take groups and perform any kind of activity
4. Finca Xetuc
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
Looking for a fun experience for the whole family? Finca Xetuc offers horseback riding trails and hiking through the outskirts of Santiago Atitlan. Breathtaking views start right at our farm which overlooks the lake and mountains while we tack up and introduce riders to their horses in one of our gardens. Gourmet breakfast, lunch, or cocktail rides are also available upon reservation.
Reviewed By Oferarily - Tel Aviv, Israel
We hiked with Juan and had lunch with Nancy and Jim. Stayed a few hours afterwards and enjoyed every minute . We are fortunate to have experience the nature, the fantastic meal and most of all getting to know Jim and Nancy.Their life story can supply high quality content for a few sessions in a successful Netflix series ! For us the Finca is a must experience in Guatemala
5. LeeAnn Heinbaugh - Iliana
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
I love my adopted town! With over 30 years of experience we are able to offer an in depth and intimate experience of the Tzu'tujil Maya traditions, art, and vibrancy that is Santiago. I've been blessed to participate and learn from elders, shamans, and know this wonderful place as my adopted home and community. "Not a toursits tour?" Right! With us you'll take the time to truly experience, learn, meet local folks, and participate a bit in ritual if you like.
6. Colonial Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By maritimeexplorer - Nova Scotia, Canada
As most people know, Santiago is the Spanish equivalent of St. James and this rather unprepossessing looking church is, in English, Saint James the Apostle Church. It dates all the way back to the 1540's and lies in the shadow of the mighty Atitlan volcano which rises to 11,598 feet (3,535 metres) which in the Rockies would be a good sized mountain. The steps you see are actually over a thousand years old and once led to a Mayan temple which the Christians of course destroyed to build the church atop in an act of religious oneupmanship. But it didn't actually work as I entered what is one of the most fascinating churches I've ever visited anywhere. Tony our guide took us on a tour of the interior which has more than a few things of passing interest starting with the various saints decorated by groups that are unique to Guatemala, the cofradias. These are religious brotherhoods that date back to the Spanish conquest and were originally intended to help spread Catholicism and stamp out native beliefs. Instead they have morphed into something similar to the krewes of Louisiana who each have their own distinct colours and symbols. The entire church is lined with these brightly coloured figures. Sometimes things are not as they first seem to appear. I've included a photo of the pink cofradia. But take a closer look at the Virgin Mary. She's got two babies, not just the usual one. Here's where things get tricky and try as I might, I can find no one coherent explanation for the two babies. Here is Tony's version. The second baby is actually Judas. Yes, you read that right. For Mayans, the death of their religion at the hands of the Spanish priests was not cause for celebration or a great awakening, but rather an execration. The one figure from Christianity that many of them could embrace was Judas who was responsible for getting Christ killed and thus in their eyes, more powerful than Jesus. There are umpteen versions of the story and they are all bizarre. The altar of the church is fairly standard, but what's behind it is not. The apse has some beautiful woods carvings and a very nice trinity which at first glance looks like an old guy on a motorized scooter. One a more serious note, there is an important monument near the church entrance that is worth examining and learning the story of Father Stanley Rother. He was an American priest who came to Santiago Atitlan and during the civil war, defied the authorities and stood up for the Mayan people that were frequently the target of massacres during this time. For that, he paid with his life and has been recognized as a genuine martyr in every sense of the that word. Although his body is buried in his native state of Oklahoma, Stanley Rother's heart is buried here and that seems appropriate because he gave his heart and his life to the Tz'ujutil people. While I might not agree with religious proselytizing, no one can dispute the goodness of this man's intentions to help the poor and downtrodden. In this world where Catholic priests are just as often seen as predators rather than protectors, it is comforting to know that that some truly follow the true teachings and example of Jesus, even if it costs them their lives. Beside the church is the rectory and Tony points out the very spot where Rother was murdered by a government backed death squad in 1981. Sadly that was not the end of the violence. In 1990, eleven more people were killed in Santiago Atitlan by the army which had a base nearby. That event caused such an international uproar that the base was closed and since then life in this small place has returned to a semblance of normalcy.
7. Cojolya Museum and Store
8. Mystical Yoga Farm
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 23 reviews
The Mystical Yoga Farm is a self-directed Spiritual Community that is focused on self-sustainability, growing fresh organic food, growing healthy yogi’s, teachers and healing practitioners. Our desire is to heal the earth and its inhabitants through connection with nature and Spirit, the source of all of creation.We offer:Apprentice Program is for individuals looking for in-depth involvement in a working spiritual community learning and experiencing mystical farming methods, yoga, healing arts, and spiritual practices. It varies in length ranging from one week to six months. Personal and Group Retreats The farm is an ideal location for your time of personal retreat, offering solitude and magical scenery, perfect for relaxation and reflection.
Reviewed By violetvisions - Nevada City, United States
The Mystical Yoga Farm is absolutely delightful ~ whimsical and enchanting with flowers, beautiful plants & colorful and cultural art GALORE. The staff is incredibly endearing, hospitable and so much fun to be around - they don't just host you, they take you in as a part of the farm family and welcome you to participate in all of the transformational activities, from unique yoga classes to potent ceremonies, fireside music sessions to chocolate making to paddleboarding on the lake at sunrise... every single day at the farm is full of surprises and awakens you to the true bliss of the pleasures of life. Speaking of pleasures... the food is AMAZING. The cook is incredibly diverse and creative and does not compromise immaculate taste while cooking vegan. The meals are family buffet style and when eating as a community, you get the chance to connect with people from all around the world. Be prepared to *unplug* because the farm is run on solar power & has no wifi - this is a place to connect deeply with the earth, your inner-most being, and make friends for a lifetime. I first came to the farm as a guest for a yoga retreat and fell so in love with it after a week that I stayed for 3 more months. I've traveled all over the US, Costa Rica & Hawaii visiting conscious communities & never have I found anything that can compare to colorful experience of being at the Mystical Yoga Farm. The cove on the lake where it is located is rich with spiritual energy, is the birthplace of many Mayan myths, and the surrounding town people still speak their native language! You'll have an authentic experience at the Mystical Yoga Farm, unlike any other place on the lake, San Marcos, or Guatemala at large. It's worth the voyage. Carve out extra time for your stay--you won't want to leave!
9. Kitequate. Kitebiard School
The first kiteboarding school in Guatemala
10. Iglesia Parroquial Santiago Apostol
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
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