Reserva Natural Atitlán is a nature reserve and adventure park on the former San Buenaventura farm, 1.5 km from central Panajachel on Lake Atitlán. Entry is Q80 for adults and Q45 for children under 12, and it is open every day from 8:00 to 17:00. Inside are three short trails with hanging bridges, a butterfly dome, a lake shore, two zip-line circuits (Q310 and Q450) and a cable-suspended bicycle (Q190); the zip lines and the CableBike include entry.
All prices, hours and specifications on this page are from the reserve’s own website, atitlanreserva.com, read on 25 September 2026. Guatemala.com’s article of 3 July 2025 gave an entry price of Q70 for adults and Q40 for children, so the fee has risen since; older figures on other sites may be out of date. A Reservio online-booking page listed for the reserve in search results returned a page-not-found error when we checked, so the phone and WhatsApp numbers below are the working contact.
Quick summary
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Where | Antigua Finca San Buenaventura, Panajachel, Sololá |
| Distance from central Panajachel | 1.5 km; 15-minute walk from Calle Santander |
| Hours | Every day, 08:00-17:00 |
| Entry, adults | Q80 (US$10.50 on the Spanish page) |
| Entry, under 12 | Q45 (US$5) |
| Zip lines, Cables X-Tremos | Q310, entry included |
| Zip lines, Cables Ultra X-Tremos | Q450, entry included |
| CableBike | Q190, entry included |
| Zip-line departures | 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00; arrive 30 minutes early |
| Camping, adult | Q145 for 2 days / 1 night |
| Phone | +502 7762-2565 / 7762-2564 / 7762-2566 |
| +502 5413 5625 | |
| Where to sleep | Panajachel (or at the reserve) |
What you pay
| Ticket | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry, adult | Q80 | Trails, hanging bridges, coati platform, butterfly house, play area, lake shore |
| Entry, child under 12 | Q45 | Same as the adult entry |
| Cables X-Tremos (zip lines) | Q310 | All the reserve’s attractions |
| Cables Ultra X-Tremos (zip lines) | Q450 | All the reserve’s attractions |
| CableBike | Q190 | All the reserve’s attractions |
| Camping, adult, 2 days / 1 night | Q145 (extra night Q115) | Trails, bridges, butterfly house, play areas, lake shore, group discount on the zip lines |
| Camping, child 12 or younger | Q110 (extra night Q95) | Same as the adult camping |
| Tent rental | Q40 per person | |
| Firewood / barbecue | Q30 per bonfire / Q35 per day (bring your own charcoal) |
The reserve’s Spanish attractions page notes that entry is already included for guests who stay overnight at the reserve and for anyone doing the Cables or the CableBike. In practice, if you plan to ride the zip lines, do not buy a separate entry ticket.
The zip lines: X-Tremos or Ultras
The reserve runs two circuits. Both end in an optional low-ropes course over the river.
| Cables X-Tremos | Cables Ultra X-Tremos | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Q310 | Q450 |
| Number of zip lines | 8 | 7 |
| Total zip-line distance | 1,300 m | 2,381 m |
| Cable length | 90-320 m | 90-860 m |
| Height above the ground | 25 m | 55 m |
| Total tour time | 1 hour 30 minutes | 2 hours (1 hour 50 minutes on the Spanish page) |
| Walking | 450 m, 80 m of climb | 900 m, 136 m of climb |
| Weight limit | Not stated | 250 lb, because of the speed of the cables |
The reserve describes the X-Tremos as crossing waterfalls, canyons, the valley and the coffee grove, and as a good introduction to the longer ride; the Ultras run toward the tip of San Buenaventura bay with the longest cables and, in the reserve’s words, the most breathtaking views of the lake, and include a walk along an old trail once used by merchants of the lake basin. The reserve also has a trial cable where you can test your brakes before the circuit.
The CableBike
A bicycle that runs on a cable across the San Buenaventura valley, with the rider in a harness clipped independently to the cable above.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | Q190, entry included |
| Cables | 2 per CableBike |
| Cable length | 250 m (500 m round trip) |
| Maximum height | 18 m |
| Ride time | About 15 minutes |
| Walk to the start | 240 m, 35 m of climb |
The reserve’s tip: the cable sags in a gentle arc, so the bike rolls on its own at first and needs pedalling at the end. Pedal at a good pace from the start.
The trails
Three loops, with the times the reserve gives:
| Trail | Time | What is on it |
|---|---|---|
| Coati Trail | 20 minutes | Coffee grove, four hanging bridges, a 23 m waterfall, the coati observation deck |
| Full Ride | 1 hour | Coffee grove, six suspension bridges, an oak stand, valley and lake views |
| Shore Path | 45 minutes | Three hanging bridges, coffee grove, oak stand, reforested area, the private lake shore |
The reserve says at least three troops of coatis live on the property, alongside squirrels, foxes and birds, and asks visitors to treat them as wild animals, not pets.
The butterfly dome
The reserve’s Geo-Dome is 1,879 m³, which the reserve says holds at least 1,000 butterflies of 12 species, including morphos, which the reserve says need at least 10 m of height to fly. The reserve also runs a laboratory where it handles eggs, larvae, caterpillars and chrysalides; the reserve says 85% of its butterflies emerge healthy. Entry to the dome is part of the standard ticket.
Getting there
- On foot: 15 minutes from Calle Santander, 1.5 km, per the reserve.
- Moto-taxi (tuk-tuk): about 5 minutes to the Visitor Center, Q10 per person per the reserve.
- By car from Guatemala City: 144 km, about 2.5 hours on the Pan-American Highway (CA-1); 3 miles past Los Encuentros, take the left toward Sololá and Panajachel, then turn right into the San Buenaventura valley. The reserve lists free parking.
For the trip to the lake itself, see our Lake Atitlán towns guide and things to do in Panajachel.
Where to sleep: Panajachel
The reserve is 1.5 km from central Panajachel, and the first zip-line departure is at 9:00 with check-in 30 minutes earlier. The reserve puts Guatemala City 2.5 hours away by car, so making that first departure from the capital means leaving by about 6:00. A night in Panajachel removes that. The reserve also rents rooms and has a campsite if you would rather wake up inside it.
Live availability in Panajachel:
Where to stay in Panajachel
Compare Booking.com, Airbnb and hotels on one map. Drag the map and set your dates to see live availability and real prices.
Affiliate links — if you book, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A workable half-day
| Step | Time | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Walk or tuk-tuk from Calle Santander | 5-15 minutes | Reserve’s directions |
| Gate opens | 08:00 | Reserve |
| Check in for the zip lines | 30 minutes before departure | Reserve |
| First zip-line departure | 09:00 | Reserve |
| Zip lines | 1 h 30 (X-Tremos) or 2 h (Ultras) | Reserve |
| Butterfly dome and one trail | 20 minutes to 1 hour for the trail | Reserve |
| Gate closes | 17:00 | Reserve |
More around Lake Atitlán
- Lake Atitlán paragliding · Cerro Tzankujil, San Marcos · Maximón in Santiago Atitlán.
- San Juan La Laguna weaving workshops — natural dyes and the backstrap loom, a boat ride from Panajachel.
- Panajachel · all activities.
Affiliate links — if you book, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the entrance to Reserva Natural Atitlán?
Q80 for adults and Q45 for children under 12, per the reserve’s own attractions page (read 25 September 2026); its Spanish page also gives the dollar equivalents, US$10.50 and US$5. Entry covers the trails, hanging bridges, coati observation platform, butterfly house, children’s play area and the private lake shore. Guatemala.com’s July 2025 article gave Q70 and Q40, so the price has gone up since then.
How much are the zip lines at Reserva Natural Atitlán?
Q310 for the Cables X-Tremos and Q450 for the Cables Ultra X-Tremos, per the reserve’s zip-line page (read 25 September 2026). Both prices include all the reserve’s attractions, so you do not pay the Q80 entry on top. Tours leave at 9:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 and the reserve asks you to arrive 30 minutes early.
What is the difference between the X-Tremos and the Ultra X-Tremos?
The X-Tremos are 8 zip lines totalling 1,300 m, with cables of 90 to 320 m at 25 m above the ground, about 1 hour 30 minutes in total. The Ultras are 7 zip lines totalling 2,381 m, with cables of 90 to 860 m at 55 m above the ground, about 2 hours in total (1 hour 50 minutes on the Spanish page), and a 250 lb weight limit because of the speed. Figures from the reserve’s zip-line page.
What is the CableBike and how much does it cost?
A bicycle hung from a cable that crosses the San Buenaventura valley. It costs Q190 including entry; the ride is two 250 m cables (500 m round trip), up to 18 m high, about 15 minutes, per the reserve’s CableBike page.
What are the opening hours?
Every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., per the reserve’s own site (read 25 September 2026).
How do I get to Reserva Natural Atitlán from Panajachel?
The reserve says it is 1.5 km from the centre of Panajachel: a 15-minute walk from Calle Santander, or a 5-minute moto-taxi ride at Q10 per person to the Visitor Center.
Can you camp at the reserve?
Yes. The campsite page lists Q145 per adult for 2 days and 1 night (Q115 each extra night) and Q110 for children 12 or younger (Q95 each extra night), with tents for rent at Q40 per person. Camping includes access to the trails, bridges, butterfly house, play areas and lake shore.
