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Private tour in Panajachel Lee B

Lake Atitlan - Mayan Village Tour

5.0

(11) reviews

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Lee B.

4.9

Guide rating

25

Reviews

Tours delivered

5 hrs

Avg. response time

I look forward to sharing Guatemala and leading adventures with the goal of providing a genuine immersion to Guatemalan culture. I help you connect with the authentic essense of the Mayan culture and its people, deepening your understanding of the world, its cultures, and yourself. My goal is to inspire and guide those who travel to Guatemala, and will guide you in your quest to connect with the people and experience their culture. I am a life-long adventure traveler, always looking for the path less taken. In 2005, I settled on the shores of Lake Atitlán and fell in love with the lake and its people. I have years of experience as an adventurer; rafting, hiking, biking, rock climbing, camping, and teambuilding.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Lee B.

Overview of your Panajachel tour

Full day trip takes you from one end of Lake Atitlan to the other. Travel by private boat to the villages of San Marcos, San Juan and Santiago, with time to explore each village. 
Easy walking involved. Your first stop is San Marcos, where we stop for a walking tour and optional cliff jumping. Then we depart the north shore for San Juan, the "Swiss village" of Lake Atitlan. You will spend approximately 2 hours on a guided walking tour where you visit art galleries, woman's weaving cooperatives, and a medicinal and curative plant garden. Lunch is at a local comedor. Your third stop is Santiago. The bay of Santiago is a photographer's dream. We take a tour along the shore of the bay before we start our walking tour. Your first stop is a visitor center that offers insight into the life of the Tzutujile Maya. There are interpretive displays on the history of the traje (traditional clothing), spiritual beliefs and Maximon. We we tour the local church, market, historical sites, and visit Maximon.

Recent Reviews

Colin H.United States
February 2025

What an amazing tour! We thoroughly enjoyed our day on the water and experiencing the villages with Lee’s backup guide, Edwin. He shared so much experience and insight as he showed us the coffee process, introduced us to local artisans and an amazing chocolate tour and weaving. We truly felt immersed in the Mayan history, culture and learned so much along the way. Our private boat and the ability to customize our experience and activities was an added plus! This is truly one of the best tours we have experienced in all our travels!

Preethi K.United States
March 2024

We spent a fabulous day with Lee on Lake Atitlan. He took us around San Juan la Laguna--where he took us to a small, less crowded women's weaving collective, a cacao demonstration, a honey farm, and an excellent coffee shop my family is still raving about--and San Pedro La Laguna. He's fantastic!

Erin T.United States
March 2023

Lee made the Lake Atitlan area come alive with his knowledge of the people and their customs!! He has vast knowledge of the region. Highly recommend.

Thomas A.Panama
August 2019

Lee is definitely the guide to use if you want the real Lake Atitlan experience. He knows the history and culture of each of the small towns that surround the lake. If you want kayaking, paddle boarding, and hiking, he can provide it. If you want sightseeing, culture, local cuisine, he knows it. Lastly, when you go to buy some of Guatemala's incredible weavings, he will take you to all the best weavers. Wonderful tour!

Jeffrey M.United States
July 2017

We've always had a great experience with Tours by Locals but this one was exceptional. Lee is a walking / boat-riding encyclopedia: with great insights rather than fact recitation. Extremely personable. Very accommodating of all our particular interests, idiosyncrasies, and tempo / pacing preferences. He made excellent choices in showing us 3 villages (San Marcos, San Juan, and Santiago) with very different "personalities". We could not have asked for a better guide or a better day. Thanks, Lee !

Tina H.United States
June 2014

Great tour with Lee(a transplanted American). The absolute highlight was a home cooked lunch at a locals' home in San Pedro on Lake Atitlan. Anita & her family were fantastic hosts & great cooks!!! Lee was prompt with his replies and pulled together a great last minute trip for me. Once he met me, he was tuned in to what my interests were & catered to them and had great advice. I recommend Lee and would book with him again.

Your Panajachel tour itinerary

I will meet you at centrally located hotels or holiday rentals in Panajachel or Santa Cruz. I can meet you at the public boat docks in Jaibalito, Tzununa, San Marcos, San Juan, and San Pedro. Write me to ask more information about pick up from other locations. Once we meet up, we will spend the day together traveling by boat from village to village. Each of the Mayan villages are different and together we will decide what fits your specific interests. This is a custom tour that can be modified to make the experience uniquely yours. We will spend seven hours together exploring the villages and learning about the Mayan culture.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

Travel by private boat.

What's included
Other: Full day tour to 3 villages with a variety of activities. You will have the chance to swim, cliff jump, visit local families, and many historical and cultural sites. Private boat and guide.
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: We recommend sun protection such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A light jacket is helpful in cooler weather.
Meeting location

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Off The Beaten Path
Boat
Tour reference number
26872
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Santiago Atitlán best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers who want to explore the rich culture and history of the Mayan villages around Lake Atitlan. It's ideal for those interested in a mix of cultural experiences, including art galleries, weaving cooperatives, and historical sites. The tour is also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible. With minimal walking involved, it's a great choice for seniors or those with mobility concerns.

Can this private tour in Santiago Atitlán be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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