The drive from Guatemala City Airport to Lake Atitlán is approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and your final destination on the lake. Key factors include: Traffic: If you leave during peak hours (4:00 PM–6:00 PM), traffic in and around Guatemala City can add significant delays. Route: Most travelers take the CA-1 highway or other well-traveled routes to reach Panajachel, the main gateway town to Lake Atitlán. Destination on the Lake: From Panajachel, you may need to take a boat (“lancha”) to reach villages like San Marcos, San Juan, or Santiago Atitlán, which adds additional travel time (around 30-60 minutes by boat).