Panajachel's New Zona Viva

The heart of Panajachel’s new zona viva pulses with energy by day and by night, come rain or come shine. This neighborhood boasts the town’s greatest variety of places to dine, drink, dance and be entertained.

In addition, the Comercio Dorado at the intersection of Avenida Santander and Calle Principal showcases Pana’s top book store, a world class coffee shop, laundry and other businesses.

The zona viva begins at the Comercio Dorado, runs up Principal to Panajachel Meats at the Palapa, then heads north up Calle Arboles just past the Circus Bar. It’s shaped somewhat like an inverted pyramid, as seen on the map on page 14. People who lived here in the 90’s will recall this vicinity was Panajachel’s original zona viva, long before the boom along Avenida Santander.

Dining in Pana’s New Zona Viva

At the entrance to Comercio Dorado, Cafe La Parada brews some of the town’s top coffee; the house coffee is superb, as are the espresso and cappuccino. It is a convenient place for a light breakfast or lunch. They serve sandwiches, pastries, croissants, fruit salads, tea, juices, beer, wine and an assortment of other desserts. Great view of the street scene.

Lunch options start with Cheros Pupuseria, where the Salvadoran-style pupusas make a good snack or a filling dinner. The roast chicken is also very good. Cheros will deliver to your home or hotel (7762-0254).

Across the street, Pana Meats specializes in USA-style sub sandwiches and has a new setting at the Palapa de Rumba. Besides great hot sandwiches like the new Spotted Pig and the Cuban, Pana Meats is perfect for people-watching.

Partying in Pana’s New Zona Viva

This area is Pana’s “nightlife central,” home to clubs and bars such as Disco Aleph, Chapiteau, Cheros, Rumba Discoteque and Circus Bar. Most discos open at 7 PM, and the action starts to kick in around 10. (Travelers with outdated guidebooks: Rumba is in the former location of Disco Socrates.) Rumba has excellent drink specials before 10.

Special events like the Heineken Green Series” night at Rumba in July attract throngs of party-goers, though every weekend is a party here, with crowds spilling out into the street after dark.
Cheros Pupuseria is a lively place to hang out after dark, but still quiet enough that you can carry on a conversation. Also a good spot for watching the “parade” pass through the heart of the zona viva.

Disco, Live Music

For dancing to the DJ's beat, go next door to Disco Aleph for a hypnotic light show at the dance floor. Music ranges from Regueton and Merengue to Electronic and Salsa Duranguense. Disco Aleph offers some of the best tequila prices at the entire lake: Q10 for a shot, even less for six doubles. Aleph is open 7 PM-1 AM, except Sundays.

Swirling lights, lasers, fog and a three-level ornate stage distinguish Chapiteau. With an upstairs area, it is the largest dance place in town, it was a popular spot “back in the day.”Now under new management for several months, Chapiteau presents a wide range of entertainment, from live jazz and Cuban drums to cabaret and local talent show.

Circus Bar, which offers new organic meals as well as pizza, has nightly entertainment. Weekends feature the Vagabundos (rumba-flamenco fusion), Circus Bar All Stars and a Latin Ensemble.
Live bands or other entertainment takes placeevery night.

Shopping

Besides buying and selling books, Book Stop Bookstore in the Comercio Dorado has a rental library and a helpful bulletin board.
Laundry, Wi-Fi

Also in Comercio Dorado, the Il Bucato Laundry has coin machines and drop-off. Wi-Fi is available in the Dorado at Solomon’s Porch. Also cheap and less-crowded Internet cafes near Apart-Hotel on Calle Arboles.

Hotels

The Apart-Hotel is just past the Circus Bar on the right. The best deal in town, and only a ten-minute stroll, is Posada Los Encuentros.

More in the Zona Viva

Other places to check out in Pana’s new zona viva. include La Rosticeria, Casablanca and Atlantis restaurants, Planeta La Du, Solomon’s Porch and Dina’s Chocolates, among others.
If you haven’t partied in this part of town, then you haven’t partied in Panajachel, so put the new zona viva at the top of your “things to do in Pana” list.