Can You Swim In Lake Atitlan Without Getting Sick (2025)

I thought Lake Atitlan was the perfect place to relax in the water. However, the longer I was there, the more stories I heard about cleanliness, pollution, and sewage. My thought process quickly changed from a morning dip to can you swim in Lake Atitlan?

If you are planning to travel around Guatemala, you will see Lake Atitlan listed everywhere as a must-visit, and it is. However, not all is what it seems.

You will commonly see photos of people cliff-jumping from the famous point in San Marcos La Laguna or jumping straight in from a pier.

The problem is, the closer you get to this spot, the more stories you hear, and you will quickly question whether or not it’s safe for swimming.

Though how true are these stories, really? From my not-so-fortunate experience, there is some truth about them, but you should still take what you hear with a grain of salt.

Did I get sick traveling in Guatemala? Yes. Was it from swimming in Lake Atitlan? No. Was it from swimming at Semuc Champey? Again, No. It was actually from a small McDonald’s we had as a lunch stop.

So YES, YOU CAN SWIM IN LAKE ATITLAN, but there are definitely some precautions worth taking which we will get into. But long story short, you’re safest spots will be El Jaibalito, Los Elementos Adventure Centre, Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve, and Playa La Finca.

Can You Swim In Lake Atitlan And Not Get Sick? What You Need To Know…

tourists jumping off one of the piers around lake atitlan in the questionable waters

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Lake Atitlan Water Temperature

Let’s start with the basics. Is it even warm enough to swim when you are traveling Lake Atitlan? Well, the water stays at a relatively consistent temperature all year round of 21°C / 70°F.

Perhaps this means nothing to you because until I started diving, I didn’t think twice about the numerical water temperature. I would dip my foot in. If it didn’t send a cold shock through my body, we were good.

Well, after diving in Honduras and Belize, where the waters were a lovely 28°C / 82°F, I can say the waters in Lake Atitlan are rather chilly.

Nevertheless, the temperature is mild enough, so you can certainly plunge yourself in and enjoy a bit of a swim, but I wouldn’t say you will happily frolic in the waters all day long.

looking over the lake atitlan to free cerveza hostel — looking over the lake to free cerveza hostel

tasha amy looking out wishing I knew the answer to can you swim in lake atitlan — hanging out on the pier with views out over the lake

Where Are The Best Spots To Swim In Lake Atitlan?

Next up, where can you actually swim? Well, we can break down this question into two different parts.

The first is the physical, as in the location or villages where it is safe to swim, and the second is the so-called rules that you should follow to keep safe.

What Villages Are Safe For Swimming?

Unfortunately, some areas of Lake Atitlan are not safe to swim in. This is mainly around the larger villages, where there is a lot of pollution and runoff from the nearby houses.

Also, near or around the piers is a big no-no for two reasons.

The first is because you don’t want to get hit by a boat. Seriously, this is a possibility. You can see them much easier than they can see your little head bobbing around, so it’s best to be on the lookout.

Secondly, because of the fumes and diesel lingering in the water.

The villages to avoid best include Panajachel, San Pedro la Laguna, and Santa Cruz La Laguna. This is just because these are the largest spots with the most traffic and pollution issues.

However, in saying this, you will definitely see people still swimming there.

During part of my adventures, I stayed in Santa Cruz La Laguna at Free Cerveza, which has a pier out the front. Most days, you would find people swimming around and jumping off, but we heard horror stories of many getting sick.

Rather than swim, a friend and I decided to take a kayak out and stumbled on a heap of dead fish just floating on the surface. We asked a staff member at the hostel and were told it was because of pollution from a nearby river.

For the same reason, be cautious of the fish caught on the lake at nearby restaurants.

Nevertheless, it is safest to swim at San Marcos La Laguna and the smaller villages around the lake.

Obviously, you don’t want to swim around the pier areas in San Marcos or in any of the smaller towns. One of the best things to do in San Marcos is cliff jumping into the water from Cerro Tzankujil nature reserve.

The most popular places for swimming are:

El Jaibalito
Los Elementos Adventure Centre
Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve
Playa La Finca

What To Know Before You Go Swimming

Well, there are no rules regarding swimming here in Lake Atitlan per se, though there are some more common-sense things you ought to know to stay safe.

As mentioned briefly above, it is not advisable to swim near the public piers or in the main lanes of boat traffic (you will quickly learn how close they come to the shore).

This is for the safety of you, the boat captain, and those onboard. They don’t want to make sudden maneuvers to avoid a person.

If you are swimming in the wrong place, you will very quickly find this out.

looking over lake aititlan with two people braving the water, and water taxis, in front of santa cruz la laguna — looking over lake aititlan with two people braving the water

Algae Bloom Around Lake Atitlan

An algae bloom, also known as cyanobacteria, first appeared in Lake Atitlan in 2009, during which time it covered over half of the lake.

Usually, the lake is deep blue, with water so clear you can see down to 50 feet in some places. However, in the presence of an algae bloom, you will notice a thin film of green algae covering the surface.

Many studies have been done regarding this, how it is occurring, and how it can be stopped.

It is because of nitrogen and phosphorus in agricultural fertilizers and untreated sewage running off into the lake through heavy rains and landslides.

Though algae blooms aren’t just common in Lake Atitlan, they are a worldwide problem in freshwater. I grew up hearing this in the lakeside town of Taupo in New Zealand.

In addition, people are also dumping their garbage directly into the lake. You can commonly walk around the shoreline and see washed-up piles, and it’s not pretty. Because there are no regulations with this, and a lot of the community has grown up doing it, it becomes normal to them.

There has been quite an effort to correct this over the past 10 years, but it is a timely and pricey initiative.

The Issue Of Sewage

Now, this is a bit of a controversial subject. Whether raw sewage goes into Lake Atitlan or if it is simply grey water.

Unfortunately, it is pretty normal to see grey water trickling down the streets of the lakeside towns towards the shoreline. That one is obvious, and it’s not good.

Though our question is regarding raw sewage.

Jose, who runs Amigos del Lago de Atitlan, a private NGO consisting of holiday homeowners, claims that raw sewage is running into the lake at a metric of 300 liters per second. Even though that is just his estimate, it is still a large claim.

There are wastewater treatment facilities here that treat sewage and grey water that aren’t diverted into the street. But even still, the post-treated water isn’t that great, being still cloudy and foamy.

There are talks about funding more wastewater treatment plants, though concerns over funds to build and charges to use them have put those ideas on hold.

the busy shoreline around san pedro la laguna

What Kind Of Sick May I Get

The Global Press Journal made the following statement regarding Lake Atitlan.

“Experts confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria in Lake Atitlan in 2009. The toxic strains of the bacteria can affect the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and skin of both humans and animals, and it has been linked to degenerative brain diseases.”

This obviously doesn’t sound very promising, but not everyone gets sick swimming in Lake Atitlan. Some do and some don’t. The best thing you can do is not put your head under the water and definitely don’t swallow any.

One common illness you can’t prevent, except by not getting in the water at all, is rashes. If you do swim and get a rash, I recommend going to a local pharmacy for treatment.

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What Is Being Done To Fix It?

So you can obviously see there are issues regarding pollution and the algae blooms.

Unfortunately, there is quite a divide between the local community holding onto its roots and the often out-of-town people trying to fix the issues. The indigenous people here really value the lake, and it is pivotal to their culture.

Understandably, when people who were not raised there point out issues, they propose charging locals fees for water treatment plants they cannot afford. It is easy to see why they don’t agree.

In the short term, the best things we can do are correctly dispose of trash, recycle, and ensure that your accommodation uses sustainable practices.

If you are interested in the conflicts between the Indigenous people and tourists around the lake, I recommend this video, which touches on it with a bit of comedy thrown in as well:

Montezuma got his revenge in Guatemala (ch 9)

Watch this video on YouTube

swimming out to local fisherman on lake atitlan — swimming out to local fisherman

cliff jumping into the cold waters around lake atitlan — cliff jumping into the cold waters

Where to Stay In Lake Atitlan

There are plenty of lovely villages around Lake Atitlan where you can stay. I recommend choosing a couple you want to visit and then checking out accommodation options.

Panajachel: Panajachel is the main town on Lake Atitlan. There always seems to be a constant stream of shuttles arriving and departing, with travelers walking down to the docks. Selina is an excellent hostel here and is a popular option for digital nomads. There is even a pool onsite!

San Pedro La Laguna: This is another popular town worth checking out. It is undoubtedly a backpacker hub with plenty of hostels and affordable cafes and restaurants.

San Marcos La Laguna: If you are more of a free-spirited type or quite into the yoga scene, you may want to consider basing yourself in San Marcos. There are so many accommodation options here, and some are truly incredibly beautiful, with amazing views out to the volcanos. If you are a bit of a party person, Mr Mullets is a must!

San Juan La Laguna: Undoubtedly, this is the place to experience the area’s arts. It is also a great place to do some shopping and buy authentic souvenirs. There are definitely fewer tourists here, so it’s nice to get away from all the crazy and come here for a breather.

Santa Cruz La Laguna: Another popular spot is Santa Cruz La Laguna. This has skyrocketed in popularity with backpackers over the last couple of years, thanks to the affordable hostels. You can find the popular Free Cerveza, which gives summer camp vibes, and it is pretty cool you get to sleep in a teepee. Secondly, there is La Iguana Perdida, which was the first hostel in the area and has a really homely feel.

Selina Atitlan

The perfect stay for backpackers and digital nomads. Dorm rooms start from $22.00 per night.

BOOK NOW

Mr. Mullets

A party hostel perfect for those wanting to let loose and make friends. Prices start from $12.00 per night.

BOOK NOW

La Iguana Perdida

A lovely homely hostel right by the pier. Dorm rooms start from $11.00 per night.

BOOK NOW

Free Cerveza

Enjoy summer camp vibes and tipi dorm rooms. Prices start from $16.00 per night. BOOK NOW

Ultimate Things To Do Around Lake Atitlan

Seeing as Lake Atitlan is such a popular place to check out in Guatemala, you know there are so many things to do.

Here is a quick little list of some of the best options:

Studying Spanish: Studying Spanish in Guatemala is one thing many backpackers do here, but even more so at Lake Atitlan. This is because of the relaxing atmosphere, beautiful scenery over the lake and volcanos, and super affordable prices.

There are an assortment of Spanish schools in many towns, and some even offer outdoor learning with incredible views.

Hike: There is an assortment of hikes available where you can capture the best views this area has to offer. Whether you hike a Volcano, do the popular Indian Nose hike, or simply go to a viewpoint.

Yoga: Lake Atitlan is yogi heaven, and that’s not just San Marcos. You will find yoga classes in nearly all the towns around the lake. One of the most popular is called Eagles Nest, which has one of the best views you could imagine from its studio.

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FAQs About Keeping Safe While Swimming At The Lake

Is Lake Atitlan safe for tourists?

Lake Atitlan is a pretty safe tourist destination in Guatemala. However, some towns like Panajachel and San Pedro La Laguna can feel a bit sketchy at night, so it’s best to leave valuables locked away when exploring.

Is it okay to swim in Lake Atitlan?

It is generally safe to swim in Lake Atitlan, though there are some things worth considering before you do. This includes the water quality because of pollution and sewage. Some towns also have public swimming areas, and San Marcos, with its nature reserve and diving platform, is a popular and safe spot for swimmers.

Is Lake Atitlan contaminated?

Yes, Lake Atitlan is contaminated. In 2009, due to large amounts of cyanobacteria, it was officially declared a contaminated water source.

Wrap Up: Can You Really Swim In Lake Atitlan?

Swimming is undoubtedly a must when in Lake Atitlan. I mean, it’s a big body of water, so of course, I want to go for a dip!

However, because of bacterial issues, avoid swimming near big towns such as Panajachel, San Pedro, and Santa Cruz.

Instead, head to San Marcos, more specifically, Reserva Natural Cerro Tzankujil, considered the safest place to swim.

LIKE IT? PIN IT!

When I was heading to Lake Atitlan I was excited to swim, be surrounded by volcanos, and relax. Though the longer I was there the more stories I heard regarding cleanliness, pollution, and sewage resulting in sick travelers. My thought process quickly changed from going for a morning dip to can you swim in Lake Atitlan, like will I get super sick?

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Photo credit: “DSCN0806” (CC BY 2.0) by Micah MacAllen . “On The Dock” (CC BY 2.0) by Jon Hurd . “Tyler Jumping Off of A Cliff” (CC BY 2.0) by Micah MacAllen .