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The Complete Guide to Santa Catarina Palopo: Lake Atitlan’s Vibrant Blue Village

By: Author Caroline Ikeji

Categories Guatemala, North America, Travel Guides

Headed to Lake Atitlan and interested in visiting Santa Catarina Palopo? Here’s everything you need to know about this vibrant blue village, from the best things to do in Santa Catarina Palopo, how to get there, and tips for visiting.

When choosing which towns to visit in Lake Atitlan, I came across some photos of the colorful houses of Santa Catarina Palopo and was immediately intrigued. I’m always drawn to colorful places, and like with San Juan la Laguna, I immediately knew I wanted to visit.

Many of the homes and buildings in the town are painted in various shades of blue, adorned with an array of traditional motifs and patterns. The buildings were painted as part of a town initiative to encourage tourism and stimulate the economy, and well, it worked because it definitely made me want to visit!

Santa Catarina is one of the smaller villages on Lake Atitlan, but it is one of the most beautiful. Along with the blue buildings, there are some incredible lake views as well, making it worth a stop on your Guatemala itinerary.

I also loved seeing the slice of local life in Santa Catarina, which is primarily inhabited by the indigenous Kaqchikel Maya people. You’ll see the women walking around in their intricately woven traditional outfits, and you may even spot a few weaving on their backstrap looms.

While there may not be a whole lot of things to do in Santa Catarina Palopo, it’s well worth a visit to admire the blue houses and get a unique view into Mayan life.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Santa Catarina Palopo, including what to do, how to get there, and other helpful tips!

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About Santa Catarina Palopo

Santa Catarina Palopo is one of the dozen towns that surround the shores of Lake Atitlan, which retains a very strong cultural heritage. Its 6000 residents are primarily the Kaqchikel Maya people, and you’ll see its residents wearing the traditional dress, with the women wearing huipiles (woven blouses) in varying shades of blue, long skirts, and headwraps.

When the Spanish colonizers arrived, the village became a production center for cochineal, a red dye made from insects that was highly valued in Europe. Over the years, the town relied on traditional industries to survive, from coffee farming, fishing, and agriculture, but these started declining thanks to environmental changes.

The town started struggling, as these sources of income dried up, and at one point over 70% its residents lived in poverty.

To help solve this problem, journalist Harris Whitbeck came up with a plan to help revitalize the town, creating what would become the Pintado El Cambio project. This initiative helped transform the town, painting its 850 houses into various shades of blue, with a variety of traditional Mayan motifs.

Each family got to choose their own paint color and designs, and in return, residents help paint their house, keep the area around their house clean, and send their children to the local school.

In turn, this helped drive tourism to Santa Catarina Palopo, stimulating the local economy, therefore bringing many families out of poverty.

Where is Santa Catarina Palopo and How to Get There

Santa Catarina Palopo sits on the northeastern shores of Lake Atitlan, about 4 kilometers from the main tourist town of Panajachel  (aka “Pana”). In order to get to Santa Catarina, you’ll have to arrive in Lake Atitlan first, usually via tourist shuttle to Pana from Guatemala City or Antigua.

From here, you have a few options to get to Santa Catarina:

  • Tuk tuk from Panajachel: There are tuk tuks available for hire near the main dock in Pana, and they can take you straight to the main square in Santa Catarina. Fares vary, but usually run about 20Q per person.
  • Lancha (water taxi): Taking lanchas is a common way to travel around the lake, although it’s not as common in getting to Santa Catarina, since not all boats go there. Note that the boat leaves from a different dock in Pana. If you’re coming from one of the other towns, it may be easier to get a private boat. We took a tuk tuk from Pana on the way there, but ended up getting a private lancha for 300Q on the way back since it took us directly to our accommodations in Santa Cruz.
  • Carro (pickup truck) from Pana: Another option is to take a carro, which is basically riding in the back of someone’s pickup truck, and a common way for the locals to get around. This is the cheapest way to get to Santa Catarina, and you can catch one from El Amate Street for 10Q.

A few more things to know about visiting Santa Catarina Palopo…

  • You can see the town in a few hours: The town is pretty tiny, so it will only take you a few hours to walk around, take pictures of the blue houses, have lunch, and check out the Central Cultural and Pintando El Cambio.
  •  Bring cash: Cash is king in Santa Catarina (and Lake Atitlan in general), and credit cards are rarely accepted (I don’t think I used one at all while I was in Lake Atitlan). Most of the ATMs you will see in Lake Atitlan are the yellow 5B machines, which accept foreign debit cards but have high fees. Also don’t wait until the last minute to get cash, as the machines sometimes run out.
  • Respect the locals: Remember that you’re a visitor, and it’s important to respect the local customs and rules. Do not photograph them without asking (especially important for children, as trafficking is still a big issue in Guatemala). And absolutely do not flirt with them – it is forbidden for Mayans to engage in romance with non-Mayans.
  • Brush up on your Spanish: English isn’t very commonly spoken here, so knowing some basic Spanish will *very* helpful.
  • Spanish is a second language for the locals: Santa Catarina Palopo is home to the Kaqchikel Maya people. So, Kaqchikel  is their first language, and Spanish is usually their second language. Because of this, you’ll find that people speak Spanish more slowly and simply than in other regions, which means that it’s a fantastic opportunity to practice!
  • Don’t drink the tap water: The tap water is not safe to drink in Guatemala. Most accommodations provide filtered water, or you can purchase bottled water.

For more tips on planning your Lake Atitlan trip, be sure to also check out my guides on the best things to do in Lake Atitlan, and the best Lake Atitlan towns to visit!

10 Things to Do in Santa Catarina Palopo

Wander the streets

Honestly, Santa Catarina Palopo is pretty tiny, and there’s not a whole bunch of things to do. It’s the kind of town where you wander around and see what catches your eye, rather than ticking off a list of attractions.

So, just stroll through the colorful streets, take in the views, and enjoy witnessing the slice of local life and culture!

Take photos of the colorful houses

This is what Santa Catarina is known for after all – the vibrantly painted blue houses! Many of the buildings in town are painted in varying shades of blue, adorned with traditional Mayan motifs picked out by each family.

It’s what makes the town unique, so as someone who loves color, one of my favorite things to do in Santa Catarina Palopo was to photograph these unique houses.

The paint colors were inspired by the natural beauty of Lake Atitlan, the surrounding volcanoes, and the native plants of the region. The patterns are derived from Mayan textiles, and each has a meaning behind them.

Look closely, and you might see the quetzal (the national bird of Guatemala), butterflies, deer, cats, and various flora and fauna.

You can start by strolling around the main plaza, and then strolling around the narrow streets surrounding it. I loved the tiled staircase, and the little alleys leading up to the Central Culturo.

Stop by Pintando El Cambio

And to learn more about what you’re looking at, I highly recommend stopping by at the Pintando El Cambio (or “painting the change”) headquarters. This is the organization behind the blue houses, starting a community project responsible for painting all the buildings and homes in Santa Catarina.

The project was created to revitalize the area, in order to promote tourism and bring about social change through art and design. It reminded me of the project behind the Casas de Colores in Puerto Rico.

You can find a small museum and showroom here, where you can learn more about the project, and what each of the colors, symbols, and motifs represent. The designs are inspired by traditional huipiles, traditional textile patterns that are unique to each village, that you often see woven into the blouses that local women wear.

Visit the Central Cultural

One of the most interesting things to do in Santa Catarina Palopo is to visit the Central Cultural, where you can learn more about the town’s history and culture, as well as the Kaqchikel people who live there.

The center can be a bit hard to find, as it’s located in a narrow street and the signage isn’t super obvious. There was a lady handing out fliers and encouraging people to come in the main square, otherwise we wouldn’t have known about it.

It’s a great first stop in Santa Catarina Palopo, as it will give you some context to your visit. At the Central Cultural, you can get a tour and learn more about the Maya Kaqchikel people and their traditions.

We got a weaving demonstration, got our fortunes read, and you can even try on some gorgeous traditional Mayan clothing. 

There’s also a cafe up on the top floor where you can enjoy a snack of beverage, while enjoying some amazing views of the lake and blue houses on the hillsides.

It’s free to visit, but donations are greatly appreciated. Or, you can dine in their cafe ormake a purchase in their shop, which sells an array of traditional handicrafts – I got a beautiful pair of hand-woven earrings for 50Q.

Shop for handmade textiles

The towns of Lake Atitlan are known for their beautiful handwoven textiles, and Santa Catarina Palopo is no different. These intricate works of art are woven on a backstrap loom using traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations. 

One place to shop for handmade textiles is the Central Cultural, as mentioned above, but I also saw some vendors on the street leading up to the main dock. You’ll see a variety of beautiful merchandise for sale here, from clothing, blankets, scarves, purses, and more.

You may even be able to see some of the women at work, which is super fascinating to watch! 

Admire the views

For a unique perspective of the town, head up to a viewpoint. You’ll enjoy some spectacular views of the lake, as well as the vibrant blue buildings that cover the hillsides.

Depending on the view, you might be reminded of Chefchaouen or even Lake Como.

You can head up to the Mirador de Santa Catarina, located about a kilometer from the town square. It’s about a 15 minute walk, or you can take a tuk tuk. It’s easiest to stop on the way in or out of town from Panajachel.

From here, you can take in some incredible views of Lake Atitlan and surrounding volcanoes – you can really see how big and blue the lake is!

Another amazing view is from the rooftop of the Central Cultural, from where you can see the town’s blue houses covering the hillsides, as well as a glimpse of the lake. You can also get a similar view from Artesanal café or Restaurant El Mirador. 

Soak in the Agua Termales Hot Springs

While Lake Atitlan has 3 volcanoes surrounding it, there aren’t really any natural hot springs in the area. The exception is the hot water coming straight out of the ground at Agua Termales in Santa Catarina.

They aren’t really a hot spring in the sense that they aren’t baths that you can sit in, but they are still pretty cool. While you can’t swim in them, you can definitely soak your feet. And if you want to go for a swim, the surrounding waters are pretty warm.

It’s kinda a mystery as to why the water is so hot here, but one theory is that there’s a magna chamber nearby heating the waters.

To get here, take the trail leading from the main docks that leads directly to the springs (about a 10 minute walk).

Visit the main square and church

If you take a tuk tuk into town, you’ll likely get dropped off in the Plaza Principal, or central plaza. You’ll find an array of colorful buildings here, along with bougainvilleas, leafy plants, and perhaps some colorful banners hanging above.

In the center of the square, Iglesia de Santa Catarina Palopo, the town church. The yellow and white church has a charming facade with colonial influences.

If you wish, you can pop in and see the inside of the church, which has a few statues and decorations.

Relax at the Tzampoc resort

This resort, which has recently gotten popular, sits just outside of Santa Catarina Palopo and is known for its stunning infinity pools, which has insane views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes.

The hotel is pretty small and has only 6 rooms, but even if you aren’t a guest, you can purchase a day pass for 200Q. If you want to spend some time relaxing and taking in some epic views, this is the perfect place to do it!

Visit the neighboring town of San Antonio Palopo

If you’re looking to visit another town on the eastern side of Panajachel, you can also visit San Antonio Palopo. This small village sits about 30 minutes away from Santa Catarina, so you can combine the two in one day.

San Antonio Palopo’s specialty is their handcrafted pottery and ceramics, made using traditional techniques that have been passed down for generations. You can visit the ceramics shops around town, or if you want to dive in further, take a workshop so you can learn more about the pottery-making process.

Sadly, I didn’t get to visit San Antonio Palopo but I’d love to on a future visit, as it’s another place to get a peek into the daily life of the indigenous Maya people.

Planning your Guatemala trip? Be sure to also check out my 7 day Guatemala itinerary for tons of helpful tips!

Where to Stay in Santa Catarina Palopo

Honestly, most people visit on a day trip from one of the other towns in Lake Atitlan. However, if you want to enjoy a slower pace of life and soak in the authentic local life, staying in Santa Catarina Palopo may be a good option.

There aren’t a whole lot of accommodations in Santa Catarina, but you’ll find a number of upscale boutique properties here.

Here are a few highly rated options:

  • Villa Santa Catarina: We actually ended up having lunch here and thought it was such a beautiful property! The pretty yellow hotel is located right next to the town’s main dock, with beautiful lake views, a pool, and a lovely garden area.
  • Hotel Casa Palopo: One of the most luxurious hotels around Lake Atitlan, Hotel Casa Palopo is a lakeside retreat with balcony rooms, immaculate grounds, and unparalleled lake views. 
  • Tzampoc Resort: Located just outside of the town, this resort boasts the most amazing infinity pool with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes. The resort only has 6 rooms and is getting pretty popular, so make sure you book early.

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