Lake Atitlán Ferry Schedule, Map + Finder 2026

Panajachel to San Pedro costs tourists Q25 and takes 45 minutes. Boats leave when full, so there is no timetable.

• Towns on the north side: Q10 to Q25, a boat every 15-30 minutes.
• Santiago Atitlán: Q15 or Q25, a boat every hour.
• San Lucas Tolimán: Q30, three boats a day, one on Sundays.

I rode these boats for a month in June 2025, and local friends help me keep the times current. Pick your two towns below.

New to the lake? Start with the Lake Atitlán guide and the San Pedro La Laguna guide.

This local guide includes 👇:

Lake Atitlán Ferry Route Map

Panajachel which locals know as Pana is likely the first town you'll land in Lake Atitlán. From this gateway town, you can springboard to other towns using these public boat routes.

• 🟠 Orange Route – Regular boat between San Pedro, San Juan, San Pablo, San Marcos, Tzununa, Jaibalito, Santa Cruz, and Panajachel. Boats stop at nearly every town.
• 🟢 Green Route - Direct express boat between San Pedro and Panajachel only available early in the morning.
• 🔴 Red Route – Direct express boats from San Pedro and Panajachel to Santiago Atitlán (and vice versa).
• 🟣 Purple Route – Public boats between Panajachel and San Lucas Tolimán but only private boats between Panajachel, Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó.

Ferry Schedules

Panajachel to San Pedro Boat Schedule (And Back)

The boat duration is a rough estimate dependent on total stops, weather, and traffic. In general, every stop to a small town takes 5 minutes including waiting time which sums up to 45 minutes. Boats travel daily.

Panajachel to San Lucas Tolimán Boat Schedule (And Back)

Boats in this route are less frequent than the popular route on the northern part of the lake going to San Pedro.

What Time Do the Boats Stop Running?

The last public boat leaves San Pedro at 5:30PM and Panajachel at 7:30PM, and boats to the smaller towns can stop earlier. There is no fixed schedule, so always ask the captain what time the last boat leaves.

If you miss it, don't wait for a boat that may never come. The captains who are left will quote you the maximum fare, or a private boat starting at Q300.

Check for a tuk tuk or a public bus to your town instead, but know that the last buses leave around 5PM and tuk tuks may not want to take you. See the tips below for more.

Ferry Prices

Fares range between Q5—Q25. The prices listed in the ferry schedule are what local friends advised me to pay as a tourist. Locals & residents pay less because they travel every day.

Despite the rates shown above, I was told to pay the rates listed in the schedules above which is roughly Q5 above the local rate. Your experience may vary depending on your ethnicity and if you have a big backpack, unfortunately.

Sadly, those are just the rules in Guatemala. I was also told by local officials that if I spend a month in the lake, I can apply for a sort of pass to receive the same rates as locals but I didn't follow up.

Are Private Boats Worth It?

In general, you can get around with public boats. But if you fit any of the following criteria, you should consider hiring a private lancha/boat.

• You stay at a hotel that is isolated
• You are traveling with a big family or group of people
• You are short for time and want a private tour
• You have a flight arriving late at night or early in the morning

Private Boat Prices

Private boat fares start at Q300. The price depends on the distance and the size of your group.

Tips To Avoid Being Overcharged

Locals pay a cheaper rate because they live there. It's a very debatable subject but it's important to know that this is not our country and we must follow their rules.

The more foreign you look and the bigger your backpack, the more you will get charged.

Here's what I recommend for tourists:

1. 🚫 Don't ask for the price like EVER. Asking lets the captain charge you the maximum fare.
2. 🤔 Know the exact price of your boat trip.
3. 💵 Carry small bills and give the exact amount. Captains don't carry much change.
4. 🚤 Pay after your boat ride and not before. Some captains at the docks force you to buy a ticket before boarding at a fixed rate, so just pay the proper rate when you arrive.
5. 🧑‍✈️ Pay the boat captain and not the assistant.
6. 🧭 Tell the captain where you're stopping. If it's a small town like Jaibalito or Tzununa, they might skip it.
7. 👋 Wave to the boat when you're at a small village. Captains won't stop if there are no potential passengers.
8. ☀️ Don't wait for the last boat. You'll be at the mercy of the captain charging you the maximum fare, which happened to me, so try to leave before the sun goes down.
9. 🛺 Have a backup plan. If you miss the last boat, check for a tuk tuk or public bus, but the last buses leave around 5PM and tuk tuks may not want to take you.
10. ⛴️ Avoid midday boats. The lake is calmer in the morning, so leave before midday if you want to avoid bouncy rides.

These tips will signal to the boat captain that you know the boat/lancha system. If you pay the exact amount, say thanks and walk away, the boat captain will know that you know what's up. This is the way.

Ferry Terminal Docks

There are public and private docks at most large towns. Larger towns have two public docks to cater for different destinations.

Where to Stay by the Ferry Terminal

Staying close to the dock saves you a walk with your bags and makes early boats easier. Use the map to compare places near the Panajachel docks.

Ferry Mafia Story

When I first arrived at the lake, I was with my travel partner and one of the first things that bugged us was that tourists were getting overcharged everywhere. It was easy to become distrustful with locals but over time we learned how to navigate it.

The first problem with the boat system is that there are no signs showing official prices. That sucks for foreigners because most of the travelers are coming for a one-time experience and splurge on everything. I'm not that type of traveler yet unfortunately.

Yes, I'm on a budget but I also want to support locals while being treated fairly.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.