Location: Panajachel
Top Things to do in Panajachel
The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Panajachel, Western Highlands
Panajachel (Spanish pronunciation: [panaxaˈtʃel], Pana) is a town in the southwestern Guatemalan Highlands, less than 90 miles from Guatemala City, in the department of Sololá. It serves as the administrative centre for the surrounding municipality of the same name. The elevation is 1,597 metres (5,240 ft). Population was 11 thousand in the 2000 census, estimated as 15,000 now (Insituto Nacional de Estadística de Guatemala), and has approximately doubled each of the last few decades. The town of Panajachel is located on the Northeast shore of Lake Atitlán, and has become a centre for the tourist trade of the area as it provides a base for visitors crossing the lake to visit other towns and villages.
Restaurants in Panajachel
1. Simoneta Mixology Cantina
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
First mixology cantina in Panajachel, we'll probably make the best cocktails you've ever tried with fresh and local grown fruits, vegetables, spices, bitters, herbs and lot other artisanal-made ingredients. Visit us for a whole new experience in prepared drinks at a cozy place with good music and a friendly staff that'll make you feel like home.
2. JABEL TINAMIT Spanish School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
We offer effective and fun ways to learn Spanish in Guatemala and online. Located in Panajachel by the stunningly beautiful Lake Atitlan, our school is the only Spanish language school in Panajachel, Guatemala, that is Mayan owned. You can learn Spanish in one to one classes, or with a small group of friends. We also provide online Spanish lessons. We're sure you will have a great time learning Spanish with us in Guatemala.
Reviewed By EvaSUK - Bedford, United Kingdom
We were traveling around Guatemala when my husband put forward the idea of intensive Spanish lessons for one week. Why not? We researched various schools and Jabel Tinamit seemed to get overwhelmingly positive feedback. I can honestly say it was one of the happiest and most rewarding times of our lives. We only planned to stay 1 week and ended up staying 3 - and would have stayed for months if we could have. The set up is so efficient and effective and the team felt like family. We had 4 hours of one to one classes in the morning and had our afternoons free. I cannot recommend their professionalism, humor, hard work, techniques and passion enough. I would also recommend a homestay as that really made us converse in Spanish and we grew very close to our host family in Pana (Magda and her family are incredible). The school itself is like a small paradise: I had my classes on the roof and most days looked out to the Lake and volcanoes wondering "Am I really here?". We took part in the activities and loved them all (cooking class is fantastic - thank you Elizabeth and Julia). We have continued with online lessons because we couldn't say goodbye - if you are lucky enough be taught by Gladys, you are in for a treat. She is the best teacher I have ever had, period; she feels like a friend. The online component is also very good; we are making progress despite the distance and the teachers are very flexible. Please choose Jabel Tinamit, you will speak Spanish in no time and have an unforgettable time in the process! Thank you all, Eva
3. Exhale Body & Mind Spa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
We are a health and beauty spa specializing in natural hair and skin treatments, massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and waxing.
Reviewed By S4350JWkat - Panajachel, Guatemala
Exhale is absolutely the best salon/spa in Panajachel! I got my eyebrows done and my first bikini wax. Sory was amazing and super kind! I wanted to practice my Spanish and she helped me some. She also speaks very good English and gave me some recommendations of things to do and see I. Panajachel and the surrounding cities! I would go back in a heartbeat! This spa is amazing and I recommend to all!
4. Multicolores
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Multicolores is a non-profit association of Mayan women artists who design and create hooked rugs and embroidered art. Working with 9 groups of women in 7 communities in the Guatemalan Highlands, Multicolores offers creative education, fair pay, and health and leadership programs to artists. Visit Multicolores’ headquarters to shop our exclusive gallery of contemporary textile art.
5. Casa Cakchiquel
6. Thirteen Threads Fair Trade Store and Maya Women's Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Thirteen Threads (Oxlajuj B'atz') is a non-profit organization that provides a market for local indigenous women to sell their handmade products for a fair wage at our Fair Trade Store. It is one of the only fair trade markets in Panajachel. All products are of top quality and unique designs, and provide a brief history of the producer's cooperative. Products include textiles, jewelry, coffee an chocolate. Our store hours are from 9am-6pm Monday-Sunday, and we are closed from 12-2pm daily. We also provide day tours to many nearby communities to meet with women's cooperatives, hear their stories, and explore their craft. Tours are available 7 days a week and require 24 hour notice to reserve. If you are in town, stop by for a visit!
7. La Galeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
La Galeria celebrates the arts as a whole and provides at the same time a center for local and international artists. We sell a vast range of art work at attractive prices, rare and fine art pieces for collectors as well as unique frames of our own design. The building, a piece of art in itself is located in the heart of Panajachel. Since 1973 we also organize community events, concerts, theatre, cabaret, art movies etc. Our additional show of unique folk art began in the 1920s and continues to this day. Come by for an excellent cup of cappuccino or espresso and get inspired.House recommendations: Cappuccino -
Reviewed By jacobom762
it is an Art Gallery and cafe. it has a permanent exhibit of a great Guatemala Artist, her name is Nan, born in Guatemala, moved to Germany, married there, had children, came backto Guatemala and she has painted some beatiful pictures which are shown in the Gallery. Here son Thomas, her daughter-in-law and their son take care of the Gallery, in which also they have some concerts of classical and non classical music, different performers. on weekends they also serve pancakes breakfasts, during the week there is also a cafe/tea area. i believe it is closed on wednesdays. It is a very interesting place to visit and lppk at the art from NAN. worthwhile, you will not be dissapointed
8. Mayanke, Ceramica Pintada a Mano
9. Church of St Francis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By colonial23 - County Galway, Ireland
Wow, the altar was so beautiful and they placed the baby Jesus in the manger. The energy in the church was so peaceful and amazing and the priest so loving. It was a truly spiritual night for me.
10. Museo Lacustre de Atitlan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By singingvegan - Panajachel, Guatemala
This museum is tiny, but it's worth the visit if you're interested in artifacts from the Lake Atitlan area.
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