Major city · Guatemala
Santa Catarina Palopó
Spend a half‑day exploring the village and its onion fields; stay only if you need a quiet night (budget Q30‑50).
Santa Catarina Palopó is a tiny lakeside village on Lake Atitlán. It can be visited in a few hours for a walk, a visit to the onion fields and local artisan shops. Overnight stays are cheap but not necessary unless you prefer a relaxed pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, clear lake views)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, road slips)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 0
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Santa Catarina Palopó110 ▾
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 Santa Catarina Palopó, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; stay aware of water quality at hot springs and confirm boat fares before boarding.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122/123 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 (In Guatemala City; about 2.5–3 h by shuttle to Panajachel, then boat to Santa Catarina Palopó.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walk‑only; use public boat pickups (fletes) from Panajachel to reach the town (Q5–10 each way).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBudget hospedaje bed, a night, per personGTQ 30
- Mid-range bedHotel Villa Santa Catarina double room, a night, per roomGTQ 694
- High-end bedHotel Villa Santa Catarina double room, a night, per roomGTQ 694
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 50 · Mid GTQ 300 · High GTQ 700
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 (In Guatemala City; about 2.5–3 h by shuttle to Panajachel, then boat to Santa Catarina Palopó.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Catarina Palopó: 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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
15 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
16 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
15 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 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
The village is walk‑only; use public boat pickups (fletes) from Panajachel to reach the town (Q5–10 each way).
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: ≈20 min total
Public boat pickup (flete) from Panajachel dock, about 10‑15 min on water
Main hub for transport, shops and restaurants.
San Antonio Palopó
goDoor to door: ≈15 min total
Public boat pickup passes through; same route as to Santa Catarina
Nearby village with similar views.
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.
Hotel Villa Santa Catarina
Rooms about Q694 per night; basic amenities.
Budget hospedajes
Hostels or guesthouses Q30‑50 per night.
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
- Q30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q200–400 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hospedaje bed2 × 1 night × GTQ 30 | GTQ 60 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 50 | GTQ 100 |
| Boat pickup from Panajachel (one way)2 × GTQ 10 · check | GTQ 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 18 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 99 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 198 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat pickup (one way)Check for tourist rate. | Q5–10 |
| Meal at lakeside restaurant | Q30–60 |
| Hand‑woven tapestry | Q100–300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hot‑spring water is currently unsafe due to bacterial rise – avoid swimming.
- Public pickups may be crowded; confirm the driver is going to Santa Catarina.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Santa Catarina PalopóSanta Catarina Palopó
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
US consulate in Guatemala City; see /guatemala for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Panajachel → Santa Catarina Palopó (boat): about Q5–10 each way (check)
- Hotel Villa Santa Catarina room: about Q694 per night
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?
- Quisiera una habitación por una noche — I would like a room for one night
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 Santa Catarina Palopó. 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 (dry season, clear lake views) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, road slips) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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 Santa Catarina Palopó
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