Lake Atitlan: Shopping in San Pedro, San Marcos, Panajachel

Panajachel, the gateway city at the lake, is also one of the top shopping spots in Guatemala. Avenida Santander is lined with stalls selling Maya-made clothes, wallets, purses, bedspreads and belts. You'll also find designer boutiques and tons of cheap T-shirts, Cuban cigars and other bargains on this street.

Deals get better closer to the lake. Don't miss the many stalls off the street. Sunday is the big market day, when Maya from around the region arrive with their best wares and prices.

Shopping in San Pedro and Santiago

San Pedro has fewer shops and no real market other than for produce. Artisans sell jewelry and clothing in the Zone, where a few small shops are located.

Disenos is a fashion boutique that opened in December, 2007, and carries two lines by international designers. It's up the hill from Maria Elena.

The street uphill from the Panajachel dock leads to a leather shop and some art galleries. Other galleries are found on the street going up from the Santiago dock.

Santiago is another good place to go for Maya textiles. On the same side of the lake as San Pedro, Santiago can be reached by boat or by car from the international highway.

Shopping in San Marcos

San Marcos has even fewer shops than San Pedro. 2012, however, has a great variety of clothes and tapestries from India, hand blown glass smoking accessories and papers, and handmade semi-precious jewelry.