In Sololá, a straightforward visit to the town opens onto a broader regional setting: the Central America Tower brings together a museum, clock mechanism, and viewpoint, while the Department of Sololá offers further highlights, including Lake Atitlán and Santiago Atitlán.
Central America Tower: Museum, Clock Mechanism, and Views
The 26-meter-high tower houses a museum with historical objects from the Department of Sololá and Guatemala. The Central America Tower also preserves its original clock mechanism. Visitors can explore all four floors. From the tower, you can see Sololá and Lake Atitlán. The collection, mechanism, and views come together in one place during a visit.
The tower is listed as open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Before visiting, check that the opening hours and access suit your plans. Guided tours and translations into other languages are offered; it is best to check in advance whether they will be available during your visit.
Feria Patronal and Market in Sololá Town
The Feria Patronal in Sololá includes sporting activities, food fairs, and exhibitions of handicrafts and agricultural products. Sports, food, and products from local crafts and agriculture bring a range of activities to the festival. If you plan to visit for a specific activity, check the event dates in advance.
The public market may also factor into your plans. A municipal development plan from 2010 placed it in the center of the town during the 2011–2018 planning period, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Ask locally for current market days.
The Broader Regional Context of the Department of Sololá
If you plan to explore beyond Sololá town and visit the Department of Sololá, Lake Atitlán and Santiago Atitlán are also destinations in their own right. Lake Atitlán lies in an ancient volcanic caldera that formed about 84,000 years ago. Boat trips on the lake offer views of volcanoes, mountains, and Maya villages along the shore.
In Santiago Atitlán, the statue of Maximón, also known as Rilaj Mam, is not permanently on display as an attraction. A religious brotherhood looks after it, and its location can change depending on the ritual calendar. If you want to include the statue in your trip, ask locally where it is currently located.
The waterfront in Santiago Atitlán offers a glimpse of life on the lake: boats pass by, children play at the water’s edge, and volcanoes rise in the background. From Santiago Atitlán, visitors can book a boat trip around the bay or to other parts of the lake. Public and private boats connect Lake Atitlán with San Marcos La Laguna, San Juan La Laguna, Santa Cruz La Laguna, and Santiago Atitlán, among other lakeside towns. Check locally which tours can be booked and for specific departure times.
When choosing a hotel, it helps to first decide what kind of trip you want: will Sololá itself, with its tower, museum, and Feria, be the main focus, or would you also like to include Santiago Atitlán and the lake? These are different geographic areas to focus on.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Panajachel, Tzununa, Cerro de Oro, Pasajquim, Santiago Atitlán, San Lucas Tolimán, San Juan La Laguna, San Antonio Palopó.
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