Kayak in Panajachel - Best Routes for Adventure

Grab a paddle and get ready to kayak in Panajachel. You’ll set out on the water, making whirlpools with your paddle, while the Atitlán watershed rises like a volcano-studded bowl in every direction.

With 360º views of tree-clad slopes, sheer ridges, and eye-catching volcanoes, this is one activity you won’t want to miss. Meander through quiet bays populated by fancy chalets, pull up at scenic shorelines for a private swim and sunbathe, or make one of the towns around the lake your midway destination.

Kayaking (or canoeing) on Lake Atitlán is one of my favorite activities, one I’ve done on multiple occasions and always enjoy.

Discover the best kayak routes from Panajachel, where to rent, what to take, and important safety tips.

This post is a 12-minute read.

Panajachel Kayak Routes

A paddle stretched out over water that reflects the green of the surrounding cliffs. In the background, the blurred green shore is visible. — Kayaking in Panajachel’s Buenaventura Bay.

From Panajachel, you can toodle along the shore and public beach or paddle further afield.

If you follow the shore east, you can reach Salpores Beach, Santa Catarina Palopó, and San Antonio Palopó. If you head roughly west, you can paddle the Buenaventura Bay, continue alongside El Jaibal, or even go as far as Santa Cruz la Laguna.

How far you go in either direction is up to you, your arm muscles, and the weather.

Kayak in Panajachel – Shoreline to Los Salpores

The image shows a map of the Panajachel shoreline kayak route. This route covers most of Panajachel, heading east toward the final strip of beach in town: Los Salpores.

If you don’t want to go too far, one of the easiest routes for kayaking Pana is to head east along the shore toward Los Salpores Beach. I enjoy seeing the town from the water, crossing the cold muddy outlet of the Panajachel River, and winding along to Los Salpores Beach.

If you fancy a dip, Los Salpores is a perfect spot to pull up on shore and swim for a bit.

A dog pants happily in the foreground while two human feet stick out over a choppy lake with a volcano wreathed in clouds in the background. — Stops can make your kayak trip more fun.

There tends to be a lot of boat traffic along Panajachel, so be extra observant and cautious, especially when you’re crossing through the boat and ferry launches. Not all boat captains are respectful of kayakers.

Panajachel to Santa Catarina Palopó Route

The map shows a route to Kayak from Panajachel to the town of Santa Catarina Palopó. There are hot springs just around the tip of the Santa Catarina Bay where kayakers can stop for a warmer swim.

Another excellent route is to kayak from Panajachel to Santa Catarina Palopó. Once you’ve left Pana behind, you’ll paddle alongside steep cliffsides interspersed with mansions and manicured lawns.

Once you round the tip of Santa Catarina Bay, keep an eye out to your left for the hot springs. These hot springs are also accessible on foot. You’ll see a boardwalk leading around the bay. It ends in a rocky wall and steps. If you want to stop, pull your kayak up on the concrete boat ramp to the right of the hot springs.

Since the lake has been changing in water level, some of the hotter pools get mixed with cold lake water but you should be able to find a few thermal outlets.

A woman in a canoe looks to the side in the foreground while the background shows a green tree-clad ridge, nestling a colorful town that rises from a reedy shore. — Paddling to Santa Catarina Palopó is always scenic, whether you kayak or canoe.

Santa Catarina Palopó is especially scenic from the water, with its tranquil bay populated with rickety wooden docks, thick clumps of reeds, and a shore made up of grass and shade trees.

Keep an eye out for birds. You’re almost guaranteed to see American Coots—small black water birds with white bills and red eyes. My dad and I also spotted a green heron along the shore here with iridescent green wings.

Panajachel to San Antonio Palopó Kayak Route

This map shows the kayak route from Panajachel to San Antonio Palopó. The route follows the eastern shoreline, traversing several bays and inlets before reaching the town of San Antonio.

If you want to kayak further afield, you can continue on from Santa Catarina Palopó to San Antonio Palopó. This section consists of steep cliffs, mostly unpopulated, with rocky inlets and tree-clad slopes.

Once you round the point into San Antonio Bay, you can stop on the bouldery shore for a swim or continue towards town. San Antonio’s shoreline is equally scenic, with the Catholic church rising from the center cluster of buildings, catching the light on its white paint. Terraced onion fields and deep ravines add to the beauty of the landscape.

The image shows Lake ATitlán, with dark rippled water and a volcano rising stark and blue across the water. In the foreground is a canoe pulled up on rocks and a woman wading into the lake. — This rocky shore on the east side of the San Antonio Palopó Bay is a nice spot to swim.

If you are ready for refreshments, pull up to the public docks and visit Tekoa Spaces. Friends of mine run this hotel and restaurant. They have a taco bar, desserts, and a coffee shop (with their own roaster).

Distance: It’s 6 kilometers from Los Salpores Beach to Tekoa Hotel in San Antonio Palopó (12 kilometers roundtrip). If you only go to the tip of the bay rather than all the way into town, it’s about 5 kilometers (approx. 10 kilometers roundtrip).

Although I don’t list further kayak routes on this side of the lake, you can continue along the shore for as long as you’d like. Getting all the way to San Lucas Toliman would be a good challenge.

Kayak from Pana to the Buenaventura Bay / El Jaibal

The image shows a map of a kayak route from the Panajachel Kayak Rental to Buenaventura Bay west of Panajachel, passing the site of a shipwreck, a private beach of the Atitlán Reserve, and a shoreline made up of rocky shelves which are adequate for swimming and picnics (although securing the kayaks there can be a bit tricky).

One of the easiest Panajachel kayak routes is in Buenaventura Bay. It is protected from the wind, so it tends to be smoother and less windy than more exposed portions of the lake.

Multiple hotels populate the north part of the bay, but on the western side, they give way to a steep shoreline lined with shelves of rock.

During a recent kayak trip with friends, we found a low shelf on the western side of the bay and pulled our kayaks onto it. We spent over an hour swimming, sunbathing, and eating a picnic lunch there before returning to Panajachel.

A dog sits in a kayak, tongue out and panting happily, while in the background is a shelf of rock and two girls with the kayak they've pulled out of the water. These are the rock shelves on the west side of the Panajachel Bahía or Buenaventura Bay, and are a fun spot to stop, swim, sunbathe, and picnic. — Pulling our kayaks onto the rock shelves of the Buenaventura Bay.

While we were there, the wind picked up and the lake got choppy, so getting our kayaks back off the rock shelf proved a little tricky. I got into the water and had one of my friends pass me the kayak. I swam it out so it wasn’t in danger of getting bashed against the rocks, and draped myself over the front while my other friend hauled herself in from the water. My first friend passed me the second kayak, which I had my dog jump into. Then I swam it up the shore to a spot where I could stand before jumping in. (I didn’t want to risk losing my phone and wallet in deep water if I accidentally tipped). We all made it in without incident, and enjoyed the challenge.

The private beach that belongs to the Atitlán Nature Reserve is another nice spot. It’s easy to pull up on the sand and swim from there. It’s the last strip of sandy beach after the Riviera de Atitlán towers. (They are the two huge towers on the left side of the bay.)

A yellow-striped kayak lies crosswise at the edge of a lake. Across the water, two volcanoes stand sharp and blue against the edge, while the sky is filled with puffy and fish-scale clouds. — Stopping for a swim at a beach in San Buenaventura Bay.

If you want to go further, you can kayak up the shore to El Jaibal. It is a river delta lined with a few trees. There is a settlement along the shore on the eastern side, but it is otherwise unpopulated. It isn’t the best place to swim, but the views are nice.f

Note: If you are new to kayaking or the weather isn’t good, you can stick to the Panajachel Public Beach. This large area is marked out by buoys that boats are not allowed to cross. It’s quite close to the rental place, so you don’t have to worry about getting too far away. This article has good tips for kayaking beginners.

Kayak from Panajachel to Santa Cruz la Laguna

The image is a map of the Panajachel to Santa Cruz la Laguna Kayak route. It cuts across the mouth of the Buenaventura Bay west of Pana and then follows the shoreline past El Jaibal to Santa Cruz.

If you’d like to kayak further along the western side of the lake, you can go as far as Santa Cruz la Laguna or even further. It’s up to you and your arm strength.

The shore along Santa Cruz is breathtaking. Ridges march down from the peak of the Atitlán watershed, cut through with rivers, ravines, and jagged switchback roads. The shore changes from sheer cliffs to quiet bays (often populated by a luxury hotel) to gradual slopes to wooden boat docks surrounded by softly swaying reeds.

Paddleboard in Santa Cruz la Laguna — The Santa Cruz la Laguna shoreline is beautiful and an excellent kayaking destination.

If you make it all the way to Santa Cruz, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from along the waterfront. Learn more in my blog post about things to do in Santa Cruz.

Feel free to continue kayaking towards Jaibailito and Tzununá. However, keep in mind that the lake tends to get choppy from about noon on. The wind picks up and the water churns into swells and troughs that come at you from all directions. This makes kayaking more difficult.

Depending on your kayaking skills, you may struggle to make it back to Panajachel. I don’t say this to scare you but to encourage you to get an early start and keep an eye on weather conditions. If the wind and waves pick up, make your way back along the shore rather than cutting across open water. Follow the safety tips I mention below.

Panajachel Kayak Rentals

The image shows the volcano-studded
far shore of Lake Atitlán with a waterfront path in the foreground branching to the left and right. In the center is a round building painted with a mural of the lake cupped in a woman's arms. — My preferred Panajachel kayak rental spot

If you’re looking for a cheap kayak in Panajachel, I recommend visiting Don René’s Kayak Rentals.

It is located along the waterfront path between Santander and Rancho Grande. If you go all the way down Santander, you’ll hit the lakefront.

Go left and walk along the paths until you pass the “I Love Pana” photo op, and the public bathrooms. When the path splits, take the right-hand fork to continue on the path closest to the water. You’ll come upon a small round building painted in murals labeled “Kayak Rentals.”

Note: His life jackets are ragged but functional.

Price to Kayak in Panajachel

The last I checked, the price was Q35 per person per hour. I haven’t asked if he has half-day or full-day rates, but feel free to inquire.

Payment is in cash only.

Kayak Rentals Amenities & Hours

There are lockers where you can leave your belongings and a small changing room area behind a curtain.

Kayak rentals are available from 7 am to 5 pm daily.

Tip: If you only want to kayak for an hour, be sure to ask what time you need to be back to avoid paying extra. You may also want to ask whether or not they accept payment for 30-minute increments.

Kayak in Panajachel with Your Dog

If you rent a kayak from Don René’s Kayak Rentals, ask for the “dog kayak.” The extra space inside allows you to paddle easily without your dog getting in the way.

A woman and dog get situated inside a kayak on Lake Atitlán, while a man holds it steady and hands over the paddle. There is extra space for the dog in front of the paddler. Volcanoes are visible across the lake. — The “Dog Kayak” from Panajachel Kayak Rentals.

My dog is used to adventures, so she got inside without complaint. Sometimes, she’ll keep her tail tucked for the first fifteen minutes or so, but soon, she laps water from the side and grins at her surroundings.

Since my dog doesn’t like swimming, she doesn’t jump out. At least, not usually. One time, she launched herself out of the kayak chasing an American Coot and was shocked to get wet. Fortunately, we were close to shore. She swam to the edge where I picked her up.

What to Take When You Kayak in Pana

It’s best to travel light. If you are only kayaking for an hour, you can get away with the bare minimum. I wear my bathing suit, sandals, and a hat when I kayak in Panajachel.

However, if you’re planning on a longer outing, I recommend the following:

Water bottle
Hat and/or sunglasses
Sunscreen (pre-apply and re-apply if you’re out for a while)
Ziplock or dry bag with phone and wallet (optional, if you want to take pictures)
Picnic lunch (optional)
Rope for securing the kayak for stops (optional)

Lake Atitlán Kayaking Safety Tips

A woman wearing a hat and lifejacket sits in a kayak overtop tranquil turquoise water. Besides the kayak, you can just see the edge of her water bottle and a plastic bag with her phone. — Paddling Panajachel to the rock shelves of Buenaventura Bay.

Wear your life jacket!

Opt to kayak in the morning for the smoothest conditions. The lake tends to be glassy in the morning before getting wavy and windy anywhere from mid-morning to noon and typically stays that way for the rest of the day. As a rule, the earlier you leave the better. Kayaking Lake Atitlán is especially nice at the start of the rainy season (around May), but it can be enjoyed year round.

That said, it can also be a lot of fun to kayak in the afternoon if the waves aren’t too crazy. A friend and I kayaked to El Jaibal in the afternoon and had a blast. Warm water splashed into our kayak, thunder rumbled across the lake, and the mountains behind us were wreathed in fog.

Note: The wind that rises in Lake Atitlán is commonly referred to as the “Xocomil” (pronounced show-co-meal). There are many legends about the origin of the wind.

Be wary of boats, especially when crossing boat lanes or going near the ferry and public boat launches. If you aren’t sure if a captain has seen you, steer clear. If needed, wave your paddle and shout.

If the weather gets windy and the water choppy, stay within swimming distance of the shore and make your way along the inside of the bays rather than cutting across them.

Inexperienced kayakers have been blown out towards the middle of the lake and have had to be rescued by boat. Don’t let this happen to you!

Avoid getting out of (or back into) your kayak unless you are close to shore so that you can swim it to the edge to get back in without tipping it over.

This is basic, but don’t run the kayak aground or scrape it over rocks. You don’t want to damage the hull.

A black and brown dog with doberman eyebrows smiles into the camera. The dog is sitting inside a kayak, with blue-and-green water behind it, and a distant green shoreline. — I love kayaking from Panajachel with my dog.

Conclusion

Nothing beats paddling along the scenic shore of Lake Atitlán in Panajachel. The scenery is breathtaking, and the rhythmic dip of the paddle is tranquil and relaxing. It’s a great way to escape the busyness of Santander, with vendors hawking their wares and boat captains wracking up business.

Looking for other things to do in the area? Check out my posts on:
Things to Do in Lake Atitlán
Things to do in Santa Cruz la Laguna
Where to Stay in Santa Cruz la Laguna
Things to do in San Juan la Laguna.

Paddle along the shoreline, or explore the lake to the east or west of Panajachel. Stop for a swim, sunbathe, and picnic, or work your arms the whole time.

An outing in a kayak in Panajachel is one of the best ways to enjoy the lake.