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PANAJACHEL: Filled with culture, folklore, customs and traditions, this town is the most important of the 19 municipal towns in the department of Solola. Thus making it one the most important tourist centers in the whole country. There are many things to do and see here, like the dance of the little blacks. The town's annual celebrations and processions, all with spectacular colors and fireworks include "The dance of the Convite, "The passing of Christmas Eve", the processions of "Holy Week", and "The run of Baby Jesus" (6th of January). The main street, Calle Santander, is where you can find the majority of commerce and artisan work, the Catholic Church was built in 1567 and is located in Panajachel's Center. It has two waterfalls; the TZALA is 40 meters high, and the waterfall of Panajachel is 100 meters high. The cave of NIMAJAY is where you find certain Mayan ceremonies happening every day. The mountains of Panajachel used to be home to many animals including coyotes, deer, mountain cats, rabbits, fox, zorrillos, weasels, raccoon, armadillo, and tepezcuintle
SAN JORGE LA LAGUNA :The Mayan inhabitants of this town are of "Kakchiquel" origin; their yearly celebration is held on the 23rd of April. In honor of Saint George this day unfolds with an impressive procession, colorful traditional dress, customary dances of the Mexicans, the conquest of the Spanish, the burning of the devil etc. Other events include the running of Baby Jesus, All Saints Day, the Nativity, processions of Holy Week, Day of the Virgin of the innocent. The locals, in a purely indigenous ceremony honor Saint Simon with processions a week after their annual festival.
SANTA CRUZ: The yearly festival in this town is from the 7th to the 11th of May, in honor of "Elena of the Cross". During this week one can participate in the traditional dances of the town, including a special flying monkey dance on a maypole. The town is located on the shores of the lake, 500 meters up on a hill. In town you can find hotels, restaurants, diving businesses and boat launches. The language is the Mayan Kakchiquel and from town there are beautiful views of the lake and the three volcanoes of San Pedro, Santiago , and Toliman. Here they cultivate mostly with corn and beans. The typical dress is elaborate and worn by local women daily.
SAN MARCOS: The yearly festival of this town is the 25th of April, and it's in honor of the evangelical, Saint Mark. During the festival one can witness the traditional dances of the town, with masked dancers and incense in the air. There are many nice hotels, restaurants, beaches and even spiritual centers for meditation and reflection. One can arrive by boat or road and because the town is set on the lake shore, there are fantastic views of the lake and her volcanoes.
SAN PABLO: This lake town is home to a different Mayan Group called the Tzutuhil. Among the local cultivation of cotton, coffee, corn, and beans, there are attractions including the lake shore beaches, the whitewashed and Old Catholic church, and the yearly celebration which lasts from the 23rd to the 25th of January in honor of the apostle Paul.
SAN JUAN: This small Mayan Tzutuhil town offers crystal-clean waters and nature-filled shorelines. San Juan is an ideal place for a swim or a hike up the mountains. With just a handful of hotels, this town is a good place to see the untouched indigenous Maya culture. The yearly celebration is the 24th of June, held in honor of John the Baptist.
SAN PEDRO LA LAGUNA: : This town is Maya Tzutuhil in origin and its beaches are perfect for swimming or renting kayaks and canoes. There are a large number of hotels, restaurants and artisan shops thus making it a very popular, and consequently cheap, destination for the traveler. Hovering above San Pedro is its Volcano carrying the same name and standing at 3020 meters. Summiting the volcano is popular among tourists and the views from the top are spectacular. The climb lasts between five and seven hours and hosts a great variety of flora and fauna. Once you arrive in Panajachel you can go to Kukulkan Travel and arrange the hike or any desired Guatemalan adventure.
SANTIAGO ATITLAN: This town is located on the southern end of the lake and surrounding the town are all three of the lakes dramatic volcanoes Tolimán (3,158 m), Atitlán (3,537 m), and San Pedro (3,020 m). Close to town there is a Quetzal reserve, an ideal place to appreciate the highlands and views of the lake and the plains to the pacific coast.
Santiago is an indigenous town abundant in tradition and culture. Tzutuhil is the local language and the most important traditions include the veneration of Mayan saints called Maximon (mash-i-mon) and Rilaj Mam. These two saints are considered to be very important for the Mayan religion and are worshiped every day. Santiago Atitlan is considered one of the principal tourist centers of Guatemala for its natural beauty, its market, the traditional dress and its church dated built in 1547.
SAN LUCAS TOLIMAN: This town is considered the doorway to the pacific as its located on the south eastern tip of the lake and the roads lead to the coast. The town's name comes from the Volcano Toliman (last erupted in 1541) and its home to large expanses of coffee farms. The locals speak a mixture of cakchiquel and tzutuhil. Here you will find hotels, and restaurants to enjoy during the yearly festival on the 18th of October. On this day you will see the different processions and parades, the dances whilst surrounded by a great variety of flora and fauna.
SAN ANTONIO PALOPO: This indigenous "Cakchiquel" town is situated on the lake shore in a beautiful mountainous part of Atitlan . This town is located but nine Kilometers along the lake from Panajachel and makes for a beautiful bike ride destination. The habitants of the town are principally farmers and artisans. The principal tourist sites in town are the various view points, the public beach, the Catholic Church and the artisan cooperative working with ceramics.
SANTA CATARINA PALOPO: Located 4 kilometers along the lake from Panajachel, Santa Catarina is a small Cakchiquel town located on the shore of Lake Atitlan . It's known for its traditional dress of different shades of blue and green that both women and men wear. The town is a nice destination for bike rides or boat rides from Panajachel.