2 hours and 30 minutes from Antigua by bus, Panajachel is the main town on the banks of Lake Atitlán.

Central America

Guatemala

Panajachel

4 hours by bus from the capital Guatemala City, volcano-bordered Lake Atitlán is considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Lago de Atitlán

The most captivating town in Guatemala, "my" town.

Quetzaltenango

At 40km from Panajachel, it takes 1hr 30min to get to Chichicastenango by Chicken Bus.  If you want to explore one of the country's most vibrant markets, make sure you're there on a Thursday or Sunday.

Chichicastenango

The village may look similar to all the others in the region, but the San Francisco el Alto weekly market certainly helps it to stand out. It's one of a kind!

San Francisco El Alto

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After spending more than a year in Guatemala, I can say without any hesitation that San Francisco el Alto is the most beautiful and most impressive market of the entire country. Although this small village of around 60,000 inhabitants at the gates of the Altiplano does not look like much during the rest of the week, it's the main economic engine of the whole Totonicapán region. Every Friday at 4am, hundreds of thousands of traders come from neighbouring areas and flock to its streets with the hope of selling their crops. Since the time of colonisation, trade in San Francisco el Alto has just kept on growing to the point where it has become a true local tradition. Located about fifteen kilometres from, and overlooking the city of, <a href="/guatemala/holidays/places/1188-quetzaltenango/">Quetzaltenango</a>, the second largest city in the country, San Francisco el Alto is positioned very strategically. It's the commercial hub linking together the highland provinces with the Pan-American road which serves Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango and Retalhuleu, further south. The goods sold there are as rich and diverse as those sold at neighbouring market in <a href="/guatemala/holidays/places/1184-chichicastenango/">Chichicastenango</a>, but what sets it apart has to be the origins of its visitors. Indeed, in contrast to "Chichi" which has long been developed for tourists, the San Francisco el Alto market is organised both by and for indigenous peoples. Stretching over several kilometers and occupying every corner, the stalls sell a variety of products ranging from household appliances to food, through to clothing, seeds, potteries and even animals. The upper village square is another favourite of mine because it brings together a real menagerie of goats, cows, pigs, ducks, dogs, rabbits, etc. You probably already know that this little stop off the beaten path is unmissable for me while on holiday in Guatemala, provided I have the time to take a detour over there and can visit on a Friday.

The village may look similar to all the others in the region, but the San Francisco el Alto weekly market certainly helps it to stand out. It's one of a kind!

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for family tours with kids

Family tour ideas in Guatemala

Guatemala has long been hailed as one of Central America’s best destinations for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-adventure-holidays/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-adventure-holidays/">getaway with the family</a>. Its many colonial cities make excellent day-trip destinations, where families will be able to meander the cobbled streets, discovering tasty food and hidden gems along the way, as well as visiting interesting museums and galleries.&nbsp;Add a horse-riding trip through the jungle&nbsp;on one of our&nbsp;<a data-destination-id="81" data-internal-link="destination">tailor-made Guatemala tours</a>, or hike up to a&nbsp;volcano, where, once you reach the top, you’ll be able to toast marshmallows on the hot lava rocks (which definitely beats any campfire!).&nbsp; <h3>Best things&nbsp;to see and do in&nbsp;Guatemala with kids</h3>This gem, nestled right in the centre of Central America contains so much to interest family travellers. Begin your adventure by learning about the history and culture here, which is a history so fascinating that it will captivate kids too. Visit ancient Mayan villages, such as <a data-place-id="1256" data-internal-link="place">San Juan La Laguna</a>, and learn all about the warriors, priests and every day people who were all part of the great civilisation that ruled here. Continue on to see some local markets before visiting the Santo Tomas Church and a traditional mask factory. All of these activities can be specially adapted to make them more interesting and interactive for younger travellers, so no matter your kids’ ages they will enjoy their cultural experience. Now that you’ve had your dose of culture you can explore <a data-place-id="1198" data-internal-link="place">Guatemala City</a> to enjoy the bustling squares and marketplaces, as well as try some truly delicious local food. Animal loving families won’t be disappointed by the variety of native animals in Guatemala. To get a closer look, visit the jungle to see howler and spider monkeys as they swing from the trees above you. Here, you’ll also find ancient temples hidden in the vines and undergrowth, as well as larger structures. Take an early morning walk as a family and climb to the top to watch the sunrise over the jungle canopy and make a memory of your trip together that you will never forget. Discover ancient civilisations at <a data-place-id="1195" data-internal-link="place">Tikal</a> as you and your kids play Indiana Jones for the day, scrambling over twisted roots and Mayan ruins which remain in tact today.&nbsp;Here, you can also learn how chocolate was first made and enjoyed by the Mayans, thousands of years ago. If you’re lucky, you may even get to do a chocolate tasting; something which any child is bound to love.&nbsp;Take an artisanal class as a family and learn how to make local food, or even baskets and bags. For some down time at the end of your trip, spend some time at the beautiful <a data-place-id="24406" data-internal-link="place">Lake Atitlan</a>, where you can kayak or take a boat ride through the glistening waters. Guatemala is definitely a destination for the whole family!<h3>Best time to visit&nbsp;Gutemala as a family</h3>Often referred to as the land of eternal spring, Guatemala’s climate is famously fantastic and makes it a great destination for families, with warm days to be enjoyed almost all year round. The rainy season falls between May and October, with September and October getting the worst of it. Even during these two months, however, the rain usually only lasts an hour or two and usually falls during the afternoon, meaning it is easy to plan around and rarely disrupts day trips or family adventures. When planning <a data-document-id="5181" data-internal-link="article">when to go</a>, the temperature depends heavily on altitude and so will vary a lot depending on where you choose to visit, with higher altitude becoming colder at night but rarely experiencing humidity. In fact, the freshness in these location means that they are often family favourites since very hot weather could be straining on young children. Areas which are at lower altitudes can become muggy. If you plan to visit a lot of locations, travelling around the country, then we recommend packing a variety of clothing to make sure that you and your family are prepared no matter where you decide to go. <h3>Family holiday tips for travelling to&nbsp;Guatemala</h3>With a little research and knowledge you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your family trip to Guatemala, here a few tips and tricks to ensure that everything runs smoothly on your holiday. <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Guatemala has so much to see and do that its important not to fall into the trap of trying to do too much in too little time. Make sure you allow adequate time to enjoy yourselves and to take things at a pace that will suit everyone and not leave you exhausted at the end of your trip. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Check in with your GP before leaving to see what vaccinations and medications you will need before and during your trip. Make sure you pack mosquito repellent to avoid the annoyance of itchy bites later on in your trip. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Learn a few key phrases. Learning some choice words and phrases can be extremely handy should you find yourself in a situation where no one speaks English. Learning a new language can also be a great new challenger for your children. If nothing else, it always goes down well to greet locals in their own language. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">As when visiting any foreign country, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and tourist traps where pickpockets and robberies can be common. There are some areas which you will need a guide to visit, who will help to keep this kind of thing from happening to you. </li></ul>

Start planning your family tour in Guatemala

The best tailor-made Guatemala tours for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect family holiday with a local expert in Guatemala

Family holidays in Guatemala

Family Tours

Family Holidays in Guatemala | Child-Friendly Tours

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for honeymoon tours

Honeymoon tour ideas in Guatemala

The best tailor-made honeymoon tours and experiences in Guatemala, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect honeymoon in Guatemala with a local expert

Honeymoon in Guatemala

Honeymoons

Honeymoon Tours in Guatemala | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for two week tours

Two week tour ideas in Guatemala

The best two week tours to explore Guatemala, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect two week tour with a local expert in Guatemala

Two weeks in Guatemala

Two Week Tours

Two Weeks in Guatemala | 14 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for one week tours

One week tour ideas in Guatemala

The best one week tours to explore Guatemala, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect one week tour with a local expert in Guatemala

One week in Guatemala

One Week Tours

One Week in Guatemala | 7 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for hiking and trekking tours

Tour ideas for trekking and hiking in Guatemala

The best hiking and trekking tours and excursions in Guatemala, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect hiking tour with a local expert in Guatemala

Hiking in Guatemala

Hiking & Trekking

Hiking & Trekking Tours in Guatemala | Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for nature holidays

Tour ideas for exploring Guatemala's nature

The best tours and excursions for exploring Guatemala's nature, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect nature holiday with a local expert in Guatemala

Nature in Guatemala

Nature & National Parks

Nature Holidays in Guatemala | Explore Guatemala's Nature

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for history and heritage tours

Tour ideas for visiting Guatemala's historical sites

The best tailor-made tours to see Guatemala's historical sites, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect history tour with a local expert in Guatemala

Historical sites in Guatemala

History & Heritage

History Tours in Guatemala | Guatemala's Best Historical Sites

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for Winter tours

Winter tour ideas in Guatemala

The best tailor-made tours to visit Guatemala in Winter, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect winter holiday in Guatemala with a local expert

Winter in Guatemala

Winter Tours

Winter Holidays in Guatemala | Winter Sun & Winter Breaks

The best local travel agencies in Guatemala for lake holidays

Tour ideas for exploring Guatemala's lakes

The best tailor-made tours for visiting Guatemala's lakes, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

Design your perfect tour of Guatemala's lakes with a local expert

Lakes in Guatemala

Lakes & Lake Districts

Lake Tours in Guatemala | Explore Guatemala's Lakes

San Francisco El Alto Holidays

San Francisco El Alto: How to get there?

San Francisco El Alto: See when to go?

San Francisco El Alto: For how long?

San Francisco El Alto: What to see nearby?