A Day Trip to Santa Cruz

From Panajachel or San Pedro, Santa Cruz and nearby Jaibalito can be reached on a boat ride highlighted by magnificent views of a majestic skyline and mysterious volcanoes.

You'll find Santa Cruz more lush and tropical than San Pedro, a lot more laid back than Panajachel. Nice afternoon breezes and greater variety in flowers, lizards and birds also set Santa Cruz apart. And it is difficult to find a spot in this town without an inspirational view of the lake and volcanoes.

Water Sports: Kayaks, Scuba, Party Boat

Kayaks can be rented at Los Elementos Adventure Center and Day Spa, which is the home of Lake Atitlan's only pontoon boat. There are three cruises daily from either Santa Cruz and San Pedro. It can be rented for private parties. The Day Spa offers massages and other services.

 

At the main dock, Iguana Perdida ("lost iguana") is the place to go for water sports such as water skiing, scuba and snorkeling. Water skiing, when the lake is not too choppy, costs Q250 an hour.

Scuba diving starts at Q25 for a "fun dive." It's a PADI facility, where you can also take courses in high altitude diving and open water, among others. But the main thrills are exploring underwater volcanic formations and "hot spots" where you can feel the heat from the lava below the lake.

Hiking around Santa Cruz

A steep hike up to the village can include a visit to the church and then on up to the waterfall overlooking the town. (If staying overnight, you could hike three hours up to Solola.) Or instead of continuing to the village, you can walk down from the mirador (good location for a picnic) down a narrow dirt path to the west dock.

Here a stroll through the garden leads up to Isla Verde, a cozy hotel and its Casa en la Aire ("house in the air") restaurant. Another path winds along the shore back to the main dock and the small bay of Paxanax.

Along the way, the lapping of the surf makes you feel as if you are at the ocean. There are small, rocky beaches near Isla Verde and Paxanax.

There is a local Spanish school that offers a week's lodging with a family (lodging can be upgraded to a hotel room).

Santa Cruz Lodging and Restaurants

Hotels and Resorts

Hotel Isla Verde is an "Eco-chic hotel" with hillside cabanas that all have splendid views of the volcanoes and lake. There's a juice bar at the new lakeside deck and a restaurant that has the feel of a tree-house.

Iguana Perdida, in addition to inexpensive dorms, has rooms with private bath for Q50-250. Luxury holiday homes and villas are situated around nearby Paxanax, with its own dock.

Casa del Mundo and Volcano Lodge are in the Jaibalito area.

Dining and Drinking

The restaurant at Hotel Isla Verde features international and fusion cuisine made with organic produce from the hotel's garden on the property. The hotel features dishes such as avocado stuffed with tuna and chicken or tofu teriyaki, and will pack a picnic box.

In Jaibalito, enjoy global fusion cuisine with a Guatemala spices influence at Ven Aca

Getting to Santa Cruz

Water taxis take 15 minutes from Panajachel, 30 from San Marcos and 45 from San Pedro. You can elect to get off at any of the several docks, unless the water is choppy that day. A trail connects Jaibalito with Santa Cruz.