Major city · Guatemala
San Antonio Palopo
Half-day trip from Panajachel or San Pedro: see the ceramics, walk the lakeshore, then move on. One night only if you want quiet and a kayak.
San Antonio Palopo is a quiet Maya village on Lake Atitlán with few tourists, known for its ceramics and traditional dress. It has two small hotels and a couple of restaurants. Most visitors come for a few hours from busier lakeside towns; one night is enough if you want the calm.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, landslides possible)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for San Antonio Palopo110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Antonio Palopo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyVery safe by day; the main risk is walking alone on unlit roads after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (Then a shuttle to Panajachel (about 3 h) and a boat or taxi to San Antonio Palopo (about 30…
- Getting aroundWalk: the village is small.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedDorm bed (B&B or hostel), a night, per personGTQ 100
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (lakeshore hotel), a night, per roomGTQ 400
- High-end bedPrivate room (lakeshore hotel), a night, per roomGTQ 600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 450 · High GTQ 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (Then a shuttle to Panajachel (about 3 h) and a boat or taxi to San Antonio Palopo (about 30 min).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jun (22 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Antonio Palopo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
15 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
22 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
20 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
20 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
22 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
18 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the village is small. To reach other lakeside towns, take a boat from the public dock or a tuk-tuk to Panajachel.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Panajachel
goDoor to door: 30–45 min
Boat or tuk-tuk, about 30 min
Main transport hub, shops, restaurants, and boat connections.
San Juan La Laguna
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Boat, about 20 min
Art galleries, coffee tours, and textile co-ops.
Santiago Atitlán
goDoor to door: 30–45 min
Boat, about 30 min
Largest lakeside town; market and Maximón shrine.
Santa Catarina Palopo
goDoor to door: 15–20 min
Walk or tuk-tuk, about 15 min
Smaller village with a viewpoint and ceramics.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lakeshore
The two hotels and the B&B are on or near the water; quiet, with lake views.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q350–600 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (lakeshore hotel)1 × 1 night × GTQ 400 | GTQ 400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 450 | GTQ 900 |
| Boat from Panajachel (one way)2 × GTQ 25 · check | GTQ 50 |
| Tuk-tuk from Panajachel (one way)1 × GTQ 50 · check | GTQ 50 |
| Kayak rental (per hour)2 × GTQ 50 · check | GTQ 100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 150 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 825 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 1,650 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights and shuttles from Guatemala City excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a local comedor | Q30–60 |
| Bottle of water | Q5–10 |
| Ceramic piece (small) | Q20–100 |
| Boat to Panajachel (one way) | Q25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The village is quiet and cautious; smile and greet locals.
- No ATM in town: bring cash (quetzales) from Panajachel or Sololá.
- Rainy season (May–Oct) can make roads slippery and boats less reliable.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
San Antonio PalopoSan Antonio Palopo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Panajachel → San Antonio Palopo: about Q25, 30 min
- Tuk-tuk Panajachel → San Antonio Palopo: about Q50 per group, 20 min
Say or show
- Buenos días / Buenas tardes — Hello
- Gracias — Thank you
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much?
- ¿Dónde está el muelle? — Where is the dock?
Spanish is the main language; some Maya (Kaqchikel) is spoken locally.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Antonio Palopo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, landslides possible) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about San Antonio Palopo
Loading…
Was this useful?