Looking for Adventure?

So you've booked your trip to Panajachel, Guatemala, on the Most Beautiful Lake in the World, Lake Atitlan. You're looking forward to relaxing, sightseeing, kicking back with some tequila and new friends...but you also crave adrenaline. You're a thrillseeker and wanna feel that rush. Well, I got ya covered. Here are five heart-thumping things to do around Panajachel. 😄

Ziplining at Reserva Natural Atitlán.

1. Feel the need for speed? Try out the ziplines at Atitlan Nature Reserve located just outside Panajachel. There are two separate zipline packages. Cables X-tremos costs Q250 and includes 8 ziplines. It takes about 1.5 hours.  Cables Ultra X-tremos costs Q375, has 7 lines, including one that is 860 meters long 😱, and takes about 2 hours. The cost of the ziplines includes your entrance fee to the park.
If not everyone in your group wants to zipline, the Nature Reserve is a great place to hike through the forest. (Entrance fee Q70 adults, Q40 children under 12.) There are several cable bridges that can be unnerving to cross at first but soon become quite fun. Spider monkeys lounge and leap through the trees. Groups of coatis scurry along the ground. And there is a greenhouse dome full of butterflies to admire.
Please note that you have to hike quite a distance uphill to get to the starting area for ziplining. Also, there is a 250-pound weight limit for the Ultra X-tremos zipline.

"The ziplines here are a real hoot. Very professional and safe. The hike up to the first one goes through beautiful jungle with lush flora and fauna, including monkeys. The most breathtaking is the first cable, which is also the highest up the mountain. Once you're past the treetops, the view of the lake is spectacular and a bonus rush." -- H.W. of AYUDA

Alyssa of Hiptipico soaring with the birds above Lake Atitlan
Read her blog here.

2. Do you like to get high? No, not THAT kinda high. 😜 I'm talking about paragliding! I recommend Realworld Paragliding located in Panajachel on Calle Santander in the Centro Comercial San Rafael. They are friendly, professional, and highly experienced. They want you to have the best gliding experience ever! Price for a tandem flight is Q700. Your flight can last between 20 to 45 minutes depending on weather conditions. You need to be physically fit enough to run a bit before takeoff. There is a maximum weight limit of 110 kg (242 lbs) and a minimum weight limit of 30 kg (66 lbs).
I often admire the brave souls floating through the sky over my house and landing on the beach. I could never do it! I'm too scared of heights. But maybe you'd love to throw yourself off a cliff?

"When you meet [the RealWorld] team, you instantly feel they are a close-knit family. Not only do you feel their spirit, but you are instantly comforted by their expertise. For me, walking into an office and meeting someone who is about to have me run off a cliff and fly into the clouds -- requires a lot of trust. That is RWP's most charming point. Their people. And you will have an amazing and unforgettable experience." -- Alyssa of Hiptipico

🎵 Under da sea, under da sea ... or lake 

3. Wanna see a whole new world? Lake Atitlan has a unique SCUBA diving experience for you. The only licensed diving operator on the Lake is ATi DiVERS at La Iguana Perdida in Santa Cruz. A one-day "Discover SCUBA Diving" course is $65. For those who have gone diving before, a refresher course is only $10. Fun dives are $37 for a one-tank dive and $70 for a two-tank dive. There are fish, crabs, and sunken hotels, as well as a dive that takes you to underwater hot springs.
Please be aware that SCUBA diving in Lake Atitlan is considered high altitude diving and you must take the necessary precautions before and after diving to avoid decompression sickness.

"Diving at altitude in fresh water is a very different diving experience to the ocean. This is diving for the pure pleasure of experiencing the sport of diving. In Lake Atitlan it is magical and mysterious; another world experience! Highly recommended!" -- Francesca of Mayan Lake Realty

View from the summit of San Pedro Volcano. Photo courtesy of The Wanderlusters. 

4. Interested in a slow burn adventure? Hike to the top of the San Pedro volcano. Sorry, the volcano is not active so there is no lava. (Maybe that's a plus for you?) Take a tuc-tuc from the town of San Pedro la Laguna to the entrance of the park for Q10, then pay the Q100 entrance fee. A guide will take you the first 20 minutes and then you're on your own. Don't bother paying for a guide from a travel agency. It's unnecessary. The trail is well-marked.
Plan for this hike for early in the morning. I believe the park opens at 7am. Reaching the summit can take between 3 and 5 hours, depending on your fitness level. Then you have to come back down as well! There is often rain in the afternoon, so you want to get to the top before the clouds move in, and get back down before the rains start. Bring lots of water and food for lunch. This is an all-day hike and quite challenging!

"Because the volcano is taller than many of the mountains surrounding the lake, you can see past the lake and feel like you are standing above the clouds. A pretty cool sensation." -- E.S. at Atitlan Living

Get in. I dare you.

5. Do you crave the ultimate adrenaline rush? Put your life in someone else's incapable hands and ride a chicken bus. Yes, indeed, this is one of the most heart-stopping adventures you will have in Guatemala. Plus, this is the cheapest activity on our list. A chicken bus from Panajachel up to Sololá is only Q3. The ride up is not the best part; it's the ride DOWN that is thrilling! For even more fun and twisty curves at breakneck speeds, take a chicken bus from Pana to Xela or Antigua (opposite directions, each about 2.5 hours away). The winding roads, blaring music, and amped up drivers will either make you laugh or cry. Public transportation has never been more exciting!

"Almost every time I've ridden a chicken bus, I feel it might be my last day on Earth. Not necessary a fun feeling, but certainly an iconic Guatemalan experience. You may want to kiss the ground when the ride is over!" -- Cee

Comment below if you've done any of my top five exciting things to do at Lake Atitlan and let others know what you thought of your experience. Whichever adventure you choose, be safe and have fun! 😎

BONUS: Mister Jon's Restaurant in Panajachel wanted me to be sure to include the "greatest chicken bus song ever"! Here ya go!