In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Guatemala
Sololá
Spend a half‑day in Sololá to see the lake view cemetery and market; add one night if you want easy access to pick‑up hikes.
Sololá is the departmental capital of the Western Highlands, a small town with a central park, market and bus hub. It serves as a convenient base for a quick lake‑view stop or a night before heading to Panajachel or other lakeside villages.
- Country
- Guatemala
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GTQ
- Money
- Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q). Cards work in Antigua hotels and restaurants; markets, lake villages and shuttles often need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget Q150–250 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Tigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 122/123 · Tourist assistance 1500
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; power cuts in storms.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.; Guides (Tikal, volcanoes): Q50–100 per person per day.; Shuttle drivers: Q10–20.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | Q5–10 |
| Taco with fried onions | Q5–8 |
| Bus within town | Q2–5 |
| Pick‑up to lakeside village | Q5–10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GUA · La Aurora International Airport
- Main international gateway, about 3 h bus to Sololá
Typical fares
- Bus Sololá → Panajachel
- about Q5, 10 min (check)
- Pick‑up to remote village
- Q5–10, schedule varies (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The downtown area is walkable in about 2–3 hours. Buses and pick‑ups depart from Central Park to Panajachel, Lake Atitlán villages and the university.
See and do
Known for
- Cemetery with lake view
- Central Park market
- Universidad del Valle nature trail
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Panajachel | Bus from Central Park, about 10 min, Q5 (July 2024) | ≈15 min |
| Universidad del Valle | Bus from Central Park, about 10 min, Q2 (≈200 GTQ) (July 2024) | ≈20 min |
| Lake Atitlán villages (e.g., San Juan La Laguna) | Pick‑up from Central Park, schedule varies, cost Q5–10 | ≈30–45 min |
Sleep
- Local hotels near Central Park
- Small, clean rooms similar to Panajachel; budget‑friendly.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis-kuul-pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra-see-as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan-to kwes-ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don-de es-ta el ba-nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; in villages a softer handshake; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Photography: Ask first and accept a no; avoid: Photographing children
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Flash during ceremonies
- Bargaining: Smile, make an offer, walk away politely; avoid: Haggling over a few quetzales with weavers
Scams and watch-outs
- Los Encuentros bus stop has poor toilets and food stalls; keep change for the Q5 fare.
- Pick‑up schedules to remote villages are limited; confirm return times in advance.
Generally safe during daylight; watch for limited restroom facilities at bus hubs and be cautious after dark on isolated roads.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sololá yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cemetery with lake view
- Central Park market
- Universidad del Valle nature trail
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Municipal website: munisolola.gob.gt/
- Wikivoyage: Solola, revision 4910541 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4910541
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/solola). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.