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4 Best Kayaking in Guatemala Spots You Need to Visit
Looking for the best spots to go kayaking in Guatemala? You’ve come to the right place!
I love kayaking. For me, it’s about the connection to nature, the closeness to water and forest. Kayaking in Guatemala is one of my favorite things to do!
There’s a dichotomy to it for me as well. A sort of serenity kicks in as you glide along the surface, but there’s also a rush when you navigate the powers of white water rapids.
Whatever kind of kayaking you seek to do, Guatemala is a great place to do it.
Introduction to Kayaking, in Guatemala & Elsewhere
Before we get into the best spots in Guatemala for kayaking, it’s important to understand a little bit more about the sport itself.
If you’re familiar with all this, feel free to skip ahead, but if not let’s dive right in.
There are different types of kayaking, kayaks, and water. We’re going to cover all three here just briefly to give you an overview. That way you have at least some idea of what you might want to try out if you’ve never kayaked or have little experience.
I could nerd out all day about this topic, but we’ll stick with the most well-known and popular forms of kayaking. They include recreational, sea, surf, white water, and fishing. Let’s down generals here.
Recreational kayaking is a broad term meant mostly for any kind of kayaking down on flat water (no waves or white water) while white water kayaking is exactly what it sounds like. Just think white water rafting, but with a kayak instead.
Sea and surf kayaking are both done in the ocean. The sea is out on the open ocean, but surf kayaking is basically surfing but with a kayak.
Fishing kayaking may be the most versatile of them all. You can do it basically anywhere you can find fish. That might mean a pond, a lake, a river, or the sea.
Kayaking Terms
There are as many types of kayaks as there are types of kayaking.
However, generally speaking, there are two main types referred to as sit-in and sit-on-top. With sit-in kayaks, you have a cockpit where you get down inside while a sit-on-top kayak is open.
In regard to water, there are three types: flat, white water, and waves. Flat water is what it sounds like, with no turbulence, and typically safe for beginning kayakers.
White water is rapidly moving, often with obstacles, and quite dangerous so it’s only appropriate for more experienced kayakers.
Waves come in lots of sizes so it’s important to understand the weather and the area where you’re kayaking on the sea (or perhaps larger lakes with waves such as the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan near Chicago).
Best Kayaking in Guatemala
There are four main places to go kayaking in Guatemala. Let’s discuss each of them in more detail.
1. Lake Atitlan
There is a lot to know about Lake Atitlan. Located in southwestern Guatemala near Antigua, it’s the deepest lake in Central America. Atitlan, or Atitlán, is a word that originates from the Nahuatl language meaning “between the waters.”
It is quite possibly the most famous tourist attraction in all of Guatemala, in addition to Tikal, and is certainly extremely important to the country as a whole.
The lake is shaped partially by the presence of three nearby volcanoes (Atitlan, Toliman, and San Pedro) of which you can get an incredible view while kayaking in Guatemala on the water.
Much of the land around the lake was made into a national park in 1955.
Lake Atitlan is also easily the most popular spot in all of Guatemala for kayakers. Some of the towns surrounding the lake are not even reachable by road, but rather only by plane or water.
A number of routes and towns are particularly high-traffic places for kayaking tours. In practice, this results in a number of kayaking locations that are located on the lake.
Some can even be done on a day trip from Antigua. Here is a list of some of the more popular ones, but there are other combinations as well if you want to explore them.
🛶 Panajachel
Panajachel is located on the northeast shore of Lake Atitlan.
👉 One of the more popular tours from here is to the Santa Catarina Hot Springs, but combination hiking and kayaking tours are also very popular.
Most kayaking in Guatemala tours around Panajachel can be done as either half-day or full-day options.
🛶 San Pedro La Laguna
San Pedro La Laguna is on the southwestern shore of the lake. San Pedro is one of the more touristy towns around Lake Atitlan. Part of the reason for this is its location in one of the three local volcanoes, shockingly named San Pedro.
👉 When you kayak there, you get one of the better views of the volcano.
It’s great for pictures and a little feel of danger. Don’t worry though, the volcano shouldn’t erupt while you’re there.
👉 You can also hike to Indian Nose on a kayaking tour!
Want to enjoy kayaking in Guatemala for more than one day on Lake Atitlan?
👉 This overnight kayaking excursion from Antigua offers hiking and adventure, too!
🛶 San Antonio de Palopó
San Antonio de Palopó is located on the eastern shores of the lake. While not as popular as Panajachel, it is a sleepy village with its own beauty and some lovely water to kayak.
🛶 San Juan La Laguna
San Juan La Laguna is located on the southwest side of the lake. This town is unique in that foreigners may not own homes or land. That means there is more of an indigenous feel to the area.
When you kayak there, it becomes evident fairly quickly. Both on the water and the shore, you will be able to experience a more authentic Guatemala.
🛶 San Marcos La Laguna
San Marcos La Laguna is on the western shore of Lake Atitlan. While it is a relatively small village of only a couple of thousand residents, there are some beautiful blue ways to visit. One of the most popular is the Rocks.
Located near San Marcos itself, the Rocks is a perfect spot to get out of your kayak for a bit. You can swim or cliff jump. It’s also just great for sunbathing and enjoying the water.
🛶 Santa Catarina de Palopó
Santa Catarina de Palopó is well known for its hot springs. It’s a great place to kayak to and disembark for a wonderful, warm dip. Natural geysers are present as well.
🛶 Santa Cruz La Laguna
Santa Cruz La Laguna is located on the northern shore of Lake Atitlan. This side of the lake is mainly mountainous, providing wonderful backgrounds for pictures while on the water.
2. Rio Dulce
The Rio Dulce is located in the Izabal area of Guatemala. It is actually part of a national park named after the river. The river drains into the ocean.
Besides Atitlan Lake, the Rio Dulce is the most popular kayaking spot in Guatemala. To kayak the entire river from the beginning to the ocean can take several days, but it depends on your speed as well as water and weather conditions.
👉 This tour shows you all the top sights in Rio Dulce…by traditional wooden kayak!
You can also just rent kayaks in Rio Dulce and paddle around the river and nearby mangroves for a while if you don’t want a multi-day expedition.
It is a wonderful paddling spot for viewing flora and fauna. Rich vegetation is found on both sides of the river. Fauna includes various bird species, deer, manatees, crocodiles, and much more.
3. Lago Izabal
Lake Izabal, also known as the Golfo Dulce or the Sweet Gulf, is actually the largest lake in Guatemala.
It forms a waterway with the Rio Dulce and drains into the Caribbean Sea. Lake life includes some truly beautiful but elusive animals including howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and even the jaguar.
4. Laguna Brava
Laguna Brava is located on the northern border of Guatemala near Mexico. Situated in the mountains, it has beautiful views and some lovely waterfalls to enjoy as you float on by.
Kayaking in Guatemala: FAQs
Do you still have questions about kayaking in Guatemala? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.
What are the best kayaking tours in Guatemala?
The best kayaking in Guatemala tours are on Lake Atitlan and the Rio Dulce. These are the most popular locations and thus have the most companies running tours and providing rentals there.
What kayaking tours in Guatemala are good for avoiding crowds?
Lake Atitlan and the Rio Dulce are also generally good for avoiding crowds. The majority of tourists remain in Guatemala City or Antigua.
Although it’s only a three-hour drive to the lake from the city, the winding mountainous roads often dissuade many from exploring outside of the city. Driving in Guatemala isn’t for the faint-hearted!
Can kids go kayaking in Guatemala?
Yes, kids can absolutely go kayaking in Guatemala! Kayaking is a very family-friendly activity. Depending on the tour company, kids 5-12 are usually welcome!
👉 This Lake Atitlan tour offers swimming and kayaking for families with kids 5+
Is Guatemala safe for tourists?
In general, yes, but it depends on where you are in the country. It is always best to check on the advisory from your home country. For American citizens, you should check their website.
What are the best places for kayaking and canoeing in Lake Atitlan?
The places listed above are the best spots for kayaks, canoes, and even paddle boards. There are other options, but your best bet is to reach out to guide groups or companies to check with conditions and weather forecasts.
How long should I stay at Lake Atitlan?
As long as you want! The lake is quite large and you could take months to explore all of the villages surrounding it. I generally recommend staying for at least three days but a week would be ideal.
Why is Lake Atitlan special?
There are so many reasons that make Lake Atitlan special. One reason is its importance to the locals as well as tourists.
There are a number of Mayan cultures and villages as well as tourist towns nearby. It’s a natural beauty blended between two worlds.
How deep is Lake Atitlan in Guatemala?
Lake Atitlan is 1120 feet deep at its deepest point. The average depth is about 720 feet.
Is swimming required for kayaking?
Yes and no. When kayaking in Guatemala, or elsewhere, you should always wear a life jacket in case you capsize. Having said that, it’s still a good idea to be able to swim but not mandatory, just safer.
How do you get to Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City?
Lake Atitlan is about 75 miles from Guatemala City. While you are driving through windy mountains, you can still get there within three hours and enjoy it for a day trip adventure. Feel free to stay longer though!
👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!
Conclusion: Kayaking in Guatemala
Guatemala is like a secret garden, hidden away in the lush green mountains and blue Caribbean seas of Central America.
It has much to offer in the way of tourism, and travel there is its own sort of therapy.
Kayaking your way through its blue waterways is one of many wonderful ways to enjoy your time in Guatemala.
This post was contributed to Our Offbeat Life by Seth of DracoAmethystus! Seth writes is a published author who also loves nature travel and kayaking.
