Which town is the Best for me at Lake Atitlan????

Panajachel is a great base to visit other villages by boat like Santiago, Santa Cruz and Jaibalito... From Pana you can also take a pick-up truck to Santa Catarina Palopo. There is the nature reserve in Pana with hanging bridges, waterfalls, butterflies, a few monkeys and coatis and extreme ziplining. On Tuesdays and Fridays you can go to Solola from Pana (a short bus ride away) for the very colourful market (and take a look at the cemetery as well). Pana itself is touristy but does have the original village as well with a church and a few markets. And Pana has great shopping as the Maya people from the surrounding villages come there to sell their handicrafts. Pana has an amazing view of the lake with the 3 volcanoes and has amazing sunsets.

Then you could move to Jaibalito or Santa Cruz, both isolated traditional villages. Great views. You can still visit places by boat but you have to go to Pana or San Pedro first. The walk between Santa Cruz and Jaibalito is great. If you want to walk on to San Marcos that may be better with a guide, just ask your hotel.

Or you could choose San Juan for your second destination, close to San Pedro. San Pedro is touristy by the lake but you can also walk up the hill to the village and the church. You could consider hiking up Indian Nose.

Pana, Jaibalito and Santa Cruz have by far the best views of the volcanoes. And Jailbalito and Santa Cruz are isolated enough you sometimes feel like you have the lake all to yourself.

San Marcos is a bit further by boat, and is chock full of countercultural types, often taking rather strange classes (each to their own). San Juan is a favorite of lots of visitors, because most of the gringos are only day visitors, and it really is a nice town with real Mayan cultural presence.

But maybe you should stay in San Pedro for at least one night, because going from there early in the morning you can climb Volcan San Pedro, and that is definitely the best view you can get of the lake.

From the way you describe it, San Marcos sound pretty ideal for you... plenty of great accommodation, good vibe, tourist infrastructure but not overwhelmed like Pana.

Yes, people will always harp on the "hippies" and "strange" people who go there to do yoga, crystals, etc., but that's just one just one part of the town... lots of other laid back people like it because many of the houses are along quiet footpaths in the forest or in otherwise very attractive locations. Check AirBnb for some listings, you'll be surprised.

As I'm sure others will mention, San Pedro also gets a bad rap and really is not all about partying... plenty of older/quieter people enjoy it there as well and are in bed by 8. It's also a very special town, but staying in a place like San Marcos means you can take a day trip over there and see how it feels.

I love Pana myself. Better, than any of the other villages. Everyone comes there to sell things and Yes there are tourists but I really don't notice them. Photos on wolf calls.com. I love sitting on the side of the lake and watching the lights come on in the villages around the lake and the moon come up. Lots of nice places to eat also. Also if you wisit old Pana you will see the original part of the town and you wont see tourists. I suggest you first come and stay in Pana and then visit the villages around the lake and see them all and then choose where you want to spend the most time.

You're lucky not to notice them, because sometimes there are literally 100's walking up and down the same tourist street. Most of the vendors are from nearly Palopo (though you're right that you can find people from all around the lake if you check in the stores, which is a plus). The original part of Pana is unfortunately not that attractive and is pretty much overwhelmed with traffic... walking around is a nightmare. I agree it's interesting though, and a great place to go for restaurants or to stock up on supplies.

Have you ever stayed in San Marcos or Santa Cruz in a quieter spot for comparison? Hey, I don't mind a night or two in Pana, especially when there's a fiesta on, but being there for more than a day or two when there are such better options seems so sad to me. Plus there's the fact that Pana is really the only town on the lake which is considered (at least by locals) to have "lost" its original culture, whereas in the other towns you can still immerse yourself in Tzu'tujil or Kakchiquel living.

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I think i will just wing it and catch a boat to villages and see how it feels. Thinking that maybe Pana or San Marcos would be best for me but I will consider San Pedro now too!:)

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