Santa Catarina Palopa is a charming village situated on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Less commercial than some of the other towns on the lake, this one still exudes Mayan tradition, evident in its narrow streets and adobe houses, and residents who are prone to donning traditional garb.

There are no roads in the town except for the one that connects it to nearby Panajachel and Santa Maria Palopa. Most of the 1,300 or so people that live here are descendants of the Cakchiquel Maya and make their living from the land, though the tourist industry is slowly making its way to Santa Catarina Palopa.