If you’re looking for a fun and exciting activity while in Guatemala, try a Lake Atitlan zipline on a dormant volcano.
To learn the best ways to get to Lake Atitlan read How to get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan.
Lake Atitlan Zipline Locations
There are two main facilities to zipline around Lake Atitlán, Canopy San Pedro in San Pedro la Laguna and Atitlán Nature Reserve in Panajachel.
Lake Atitlan Zipline: Canopy San Pedro
How to get there?
Canopy San Pedro is located on the Volcán San Pedro, which is a dormant volcano. If you are not staying in or around San Pedro, you will likely need to take a ferry to the town. From Panajachel the public ferry costs 25 Quetzal ($3 USD) per person and takes about an hour.
The building is located up the mountain and requires taking a 5-10 minute TukTuk from the town. The price of the TukTuk up can be negotiated down to Q20 per person, but expect to pay Q25 for the return trip. There will be cabbies waiting at the facility to take you back down the mountain.
How much does it cost?
The cost is Q200 per person (roughly $25 USD) and is paid in cash only.
What to know before you go ziplining
Message the company ahead of time to confirm a reservation. In slower seasons they can fit you in right away, but during busier months you may need to reserve earlier. The fastest way to do this is via WhatsApp which can be found on their website. They have English speaking employees for both reservations and the zip line guides.
Wear appropriate clothes and shoes. From the entry you will hike 10-15 minutes up the mountain to reach the first zipline. Wear something you can easily move around in and can get a little sweaty. I recommend wearing sneakers or similar shoes that you will be able to hike along the trails. Sandals are not ideal unless they are fully secured to your feet (like Tevas) and you are able to walk along uneven terrain in them.
What to expect from Canopy San Pedro zipline
This company has (2) ziplines that, as stated above, you will have to hike up the mountain for 10-15 minutes to reach. There will be a guide with you the whole time, who will tell you when and where to go. They also do the zip lines with you and follow you through the experience. Our guide even took a video of my friend and I doing our side by side ziplines. There was a larger group in front of us, so the whole process was about an hour from start to finish.
Before you do your first zipline you’ll be able to look over the panoramic views of Lake Atitlan and take photos. The view from the top was truly incredible. While you’re ziplining, you’ll get to fly above the valley and canyons below.
This was my second time ziplining (first was in Costa Rica) and my friend’s third time. This company was very professional and safe. We had full safety gear and didn’t have any issues through the experience.
Lake Atitlan Zipline: Atitlán Nature Reserve
The second option for a Lake Atitlan zipline is the Atitlán Nature Reserve in Panajachel
How to get there?
Reserva Natural Atitlán is just north of the main “downtown” area of Panajachel. From most locations in Pana, it is a 25-30 minute walk, or a very quick TukTuk ride to the visitor center. As always, pre-negotiate your prices.
If you are not staying in Pana, you will need to take a TukTuk from a nearby town, or take the ferry, then catch a TukTuk at the boat launch.
How much does it cost?
The prices at this establishment are higher than Canopy San Pedro. They have two options for “cables” (zip lining).
- The X-Treme Cables Q280 ($36 USD)
- Ultra X-Treme Cables: Q410 ($53 USD)
What to know before you go ziplining
This company offers tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. They ask you to arrive 30 minutes prior to your reservation time to walk through instructions and safety procedures. You can book tickets directly through their website.
Which tour should you book?
X-Treme Cables
The X-Treme Cables tour is the easier of the two options. This tour lasts around 90 minutes and has less vertical ascent and hiking to reach the zipline locations. This tour has visitors flying over the lush valley below .
Ultra X-Treme Cables
The Cables Ultra X – Tremos tour is the more “extreme” of the two options. You will have a longer hike and twice the vertical incline to reach the cables. The tour also lasts 30 minutes longer, for a total of almost 2 hours. With the higher incline you will have views out over the lake as well as the coffee grove below.
Both options at the Reserva Natural Atitlan also have an optional ropes course with hanging bridges. For more information between the two options review the details here.
Which zipline option should you pick?
If you want scenic views with an adrenaline rush, you will have a great time on a Lake Atitlan zipline. The Lake Atitlan Nature Reserve has more to do, but is a longer commitment for your day, and is a higher price point.
If you’re already planning to visit San Pedro la Laguna, then the Canopy San Pedro is a quick and fairly inexpensive option for a unique activity.
Additional posts on Guatemala
- How to get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan
- Why Renting A Car in Guatemala City is the Best Way to Ruin a Vacation
- A Genuine Review of the Hotel Villa Santa Catarina
- Views and Vibes: The Best Antigua Guatemala Bars
- How to get from Guatemala City to Antigua
- The Best Things to do in Antigua Guatemala
