A Kaqchikel town of hand-painted pottery, backstrap and foot looms, and farming terraces overlooking the lake, about 20 minutes from Panajachel.
Hand-painted pottery and foot looms
San Antonio Palopó is a Kaqchikel town of steep streets and terraced fields on the eastern shore of the lake. It is known for its hand-painted pottery, sold in family workshops and exported, and for weaving that combines the backstrap loom with the foot loom, something unusual on Atitlán.
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The first to arrive found the lake, the volcanoes and the forest; others came after, and each arrival left its mark.
Sources: es.wikipedia.org · guatemala.com · atitlanvida.com
Family workshops where you can watch cups, plates and vases being shaped, hand-painted and glazed; some, like MayanKe, offer classes.
Classes from Q50 to Q55 per person according to a 2026 source cited by Atitlán Vida; confirm at the workshop.Getting there →A cooperative and family looms near the center where huipiles, shawls and tocoyales are woven and sold.
Getting there →The town's main church, starting point for processions; silence is requested during Mass.
Getting there →Docks and a tourist boardwalk on the lakeshore, good for photography.
Getting there →
A 30 to 45 minute walk along an unmarked trail to some waterfalls.
No entrance fee according to Atitlán Vida.Getting there →View of the lake and Cerro de Oro, best in the morning light.
Getting there →Sources: globalpressjournal.com · atitlanvida.com · guatemala.com
San Antonio de Padua: June 13. The June 13 fair brings processions, marimba, dances, traditional food and sports; there are cofradías (religious brotherhoods) of San Antonio and San Nicolás. In February seeds are blessed in thanks for the harvest, in November families visit the cemeteries and fly barriletes (kites), and every December 25 since 1965 the village of Agua Escondida goes out in a convite (festive masked parade) in colorful costumes.
Sources: guatemala.com · atitlanvida.com · guatemala.com
Sources agree that Maya dress endures, especially among women, who wear the huipil (traditional woven blouse), corte (wrap skirt), tocoyal (woven head ribbon) and shawl; Atitlán Vida describes deep indigo tones, while older sources speak of huipiles with a red or white central panel. Men used to wear a shirt with red sleeves and an overlapping wool rodillera (wrap) in place of trousers; sources don't confirm whether it is still worn. Garments are woven on both backstrap and foot looms.
Sources: atitlanvida.com · deguate.com · es.wikipedia.org
The eateries near the church serve wood-fired dishes, mojarra (a lake fish) and broths, according to Atitlán Vida. During the June fair traditional food is sold.
Sources: atitlanvida.com · guatemala.com
Hotel sencillo frente al lago con terrazas y restaurante de comida casera, conocido por sus empanadas y desayunos.
Ecohotel y spa solo para adultos en la orilla del lago, accesible únicamente en lancha, con temazcal, masajes y kayaks.
Hotel con restaurante en la orilla sur del municipio, accesible en lancha, con piscina infantil, jardín y vista al lago.
Taller de cerámica pintada a mano, la artesanía característica de San Antonio Palopó.
Taller de cerámica de colores ubicado cuesta arriba desde los muelles del pueblo.
Iglesia colonial encalada en una terraza con vista al lago, sede de la fiesta patronal del 13 de junio.
Plaza frente a la iglesia, centro social del pueblo; el domingo es día de mercado.
Cascada en el barranco sobre el pueblo, a 30-45 minutos a pie entre terrazas de cebolla; sin señalización.
Mirador a corta distancia del centro con vista hacia el Cerro de Oro y el perfil del 'Elefante Dormido'.
Agencia rural de Banrural en la aldea Xequistel, en la ruta hacia Godínez, con servicios bancarios básicos y pagos.
