How To Get From San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan Best Way – You can go by shared van, bus and private transfer.
What Is The Distance From San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan?
The distance from San Cristobal to Panajachel is 445 kilometers. Click here to book online Guatemala activities and day trips
The travel time by car from San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan is around 9 hours. You will have to cross the border but it’s a really fast and easy process.
What Is The Best Way From San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan?
The best way from San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan is by shared van for $75 USD you can book online and it will take around 11 hours.
What Is The Cheapest Way From San Cristobal to Panajachel?
The cheapest way from San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan is by bus for $25-30 USD and it will take around 14-16 hours.
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WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE ATITLAN
A total of $10-20 USD would be the range of your budget for accommodation in Lake Atitlan. There are hotels mid-budget $40-60 USD and you can find luxury accommodations starting from $80 USD.
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HOW TO GET FROM SAN CRISTOBAL TO LAKE ATITLAN
SHARED VAN FROM SAN CRISTOBAL TO PANAJACHEL (BEST WAY)
The best way from bus from San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan is by shared van. The vans are leaving early morning and is the best way for travelers you can book online.
The shared van fare is $75 USD and it will take 11 hours from your accommodation in San Cristobal to your final destination in Panajachel.
BY BUS FROM SAN CRISTOBAL TO LAKE ATITLAN (CHEAPEST WAY)
The cheapest way from San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan is by local bus and shared vans. There are no direct public buses going, only shared vans or shuttle buses for tourists (you can book online).
You will have to transfer so many times. First you will have to take a collective from San Cristobal to Comitan. From Comitan to to Cuauhtemoc. It will take around 3 hours and it will cost around $6-7 USD. You will have to get a shared taxi to cross the border around $1 USD.
Once you cross the border you will have to get a shuttle going from the border to Lake Atitlan around $25-30 USD and it will take 7-8 hours. Or you will have to go to Huehuetenango, from Huehuetenango to Xela and from Xela to Lake Atitlan.
If you wake up early morning and the transfers are going well maybe you will take 14-16 hours to reach Lake Atitlan and you will spend $30 USD or even more if you take a shared taxis or the shuttle bus direct to Lake Atitlan.
If you are patient you will get local transportation everywhere without booking a shared van online or a direct shuttle from the border but maybe you will not be able to reach in the same day
BEST WAY FROM SAN CRISTOBAL TO LAKE ATITLAN – SHARED VAN VS BUS
The best way from San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan is by shared van for $75 USD you can book online and it will take around 11 hours. You will avoid all the hassle and you will get to your destination in the same day!
The best way from San Cristobal to Lake Atitlan is by local buses for $30 USD if you go on a tight budget and it will take around 14-16 hours or even longer depending on the transfer and waiting time.
Make sure you leave early morning to reach in the same day to Lake Atitlan. If not you can stay overnight in Xela and continue your trip next day to Lake Atitlan. It will be really helpful for you if you can speak basics in Spanish language!
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Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.