Hiking Mario Mendez Viewpoint to Panajachel
This tour will take you to the small, idyllic village of Santa Catarina on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Along the way you'll see forests, agricultural fields, a colonial-style church, and even hot springs.
- Duration:
- 5 hrs
- Available Days:
- Every day
- Schedule:
- 8:00 AM
- Hotel Transport Included
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
From the Mario Mendez Montenegro Viewpoint in Panajachel, this tour takes you on a 2-hour descent down the mountain to the small village of Santa Catarina. You’ll walk through a forest of pine, avocado, loquat, and peach trees. This hike allows you to appreciate the greenery of the Guatemalan highlands.
In Santa Catarina, the tour will stop by the local colonial-style church. Then we will explore the town and see the local textiles and costumes. You can buy crafts or simply admire the wide selection of locally-crafted souvenirs. Santa Catarina is a rural town, and sustains itself mostly through agriculture by growing corn, beans, onions, and flowers.
You have the option to visit the hot springs in the area. Bring a bathing suit if you feel like swimming or relaxing in the warm water. Afterward, the group will hike the asphalt road out of town and back to Panajachel.
Attractions Visited
The Atitlán Nature Reserve is located along the shores of Lake Atitlán outside the town of Panajachel. This private reserve offers all kinds of fun activities, including hiking, zip lining, swimming, and more.
Read more:Atitlán Nature Reserve
Santiago Atitlán is one of the more traditional towns along Lake Atitlán, and its market is a good place to witness the intersection of local culture and commerce. The best days to visit the market are Friday and Saturday.
Read more:Santiago Atitlan Friday Market
What to Bring
Camera, hat, binoculars, hiking clothes and shoes, bathing suit and towel (optional), and sunscreen.
What's included
Bilingual guide, transportation, and lunch (sandwich, water, juice and biscuits).
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.
Similar things to do
The San Pedro Volcano was declared a national park in 2006. The volcano is covered with tropical forests and takes about 4–5 hours to reach the summit along a well-maintained trail.
Acatenango is a twin-peaked stratovolcano. The volcano erupted between 1924 and 1927 and again in 1972. Volcanic ash from these explosions traveled as far as 15 miles away. Larger eruptions also occurred some 2,000 and 5,000 years ago.
The San Pedro Volcano was declared a national park in 2006. The volcano is covered with tropical forests and takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach the summit along a well-maintained trail.
