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Panajachel

Lake Atitlán

Panajachel is located in the Guatemalan highlands at 1500 mts of altitude and offers an incredible view of the volcanoes San Pedro (3000 mts), Toliman (3200 mts) and Atitlan (3500 mts) that serve as a frame to the lake of Atitlan. Panajachel is also the starting point to visit different towns in the surroundings: Santiago Atitlan, Santa Catarina and San Antonio Palopó famous for the quality of their fabrics. During the Conquest period the shores of the lake witnessed a great battle in which the Spaniards and their Cackchiquele allies defeated the Tzutuhiles who were the natives of the region.

The Spaniards set up a church and monastery in Panajachel soon afterwards and used the village as a centre for the conversion of the Indians of the region to the Catholic faith. The original facade of the church is still standing and is one of the jewels of the colonial style in Guatemala.

Panajachel or Pana as it is known by the locals, is a town full of small surprises, the spectacular view, the climate, the tranquility, the friendliness of its inhabitants, etc. You will find a great number of quality restaurants and hotels, it has nice places of nightlife. You will be able to visit the surrounding villages, nature reserves, walk along the shore of the lake or simply go shopping since Panajachel’s main street is one of the best places to go shopping in Guatemala.