Panajachel is a beautiful city on Lake Atitlán. Check out our guide for the best options to travel from Guatemala City to Panajachel.
The charming city Panajachel (also known as Pana) is the gateway to Lake Atitlán.
You can go shopping on Calle Santander, paraglide over Lake Atitlán, go on epic hikes, visit nearby villages, explore the Iximché Mayan Ruins, etc.
Check our guide for the best options to travel from Guatemala City to Panajachel.
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How far is Panajachel from Guatemala City?
The distance from Guatemala City to Panajachel is 67 miles or 108 kilometers.
Transportation Options from Guatemala City to Panajachel
The following table outlines all Guatemala transportation options from Guatemala City to Panajachel:
Method | Travel time | Price |
---|---|---|
Bus from Guatemala City to Panajachel | 4+ hours | |
Shared Shuttle from Guatemala City to Panajachel | 4 hours | USD 42 |
Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel | 3 hours 30 minutes | USD 215 |
Rental Car from Guatemala City to Panajachel | 3 hours 30 minutes | |
Taxi from Guatemala City to Panajachel | 3 hours 30 minutes |
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Guatemala City to Panajachel. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.
Getting to Panajachel from Guatemala City
1. Public Bus from Guatemala City to Panajachel
Journey Duration: 4+ hours
Are you traveling on a small budget and/ or looking for an adventure?
Then taking the public bus from Guatemala City to Panajachel might be your best option.
We recommend taking the public bus only when speaking Spanish and traveling with small luggage.
Be aware that the buses don’t have air-condition and can be quite full! We don’t recommend taking the bus after dark!

Journey Duration: 4 hours
Atitrans offers three daily shared shuttles to Panajachel. The driver will pick you up at your hotel in Guatemala City and drop you off at Calle Santander y Embarcadero público in Panajachel.
The vans are equipped with air-conditioning and the price for a one-way ticket is USD 42.
Atitrans shuttle departure times:
- 06:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 01:30 PM

3. Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel
Journey Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
The most comfortable way to travel to Panajachel is by private transfer. The driver will pick you up at your hotel at your preferred time and drop you off at your hotel in Panajachel.
We recommend this option, especially for families and groups. Depending on the number of people you are traveling with, the price per person is actually not much higher than for a shared shuttle.
Prices for a private transfer to Panajachel:
- 1 to 3 passengers: USD 215
- 4 to 6 passengers: USD 245
- 7 to 9 passengers: USD 275
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Guatemala City to Panajachel. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.
4. Driving with Rental Car
Journey Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
As the distance between Guatemala City and Panajachel is only 67 miles or 108 kilometers, traveling by rental car is also a great option.
The big advantage of traveling by rental car is that you can visit places on the way, stop for lunch, and don’t have to worry about luggage limitations (as long as it fits in your car).

5. Uber or Taxi
Journey Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
You can also take a taxi to Panajachel. We recommend you agree on a fixed price before getting in the cab!
