Panajachel
📍 Solola · Nearest city: Santa Catarina Palopo (2 km)
61 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2064 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
14.73130, -91.12830Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-05-02 16:06 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Very favorable day for XC, cloud base ~965 m, wind 11 km/h, precipitation 1.9 mm.
base ~965m · wind 11 km/h · precip 1.9mmNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~922 m, wind 10 km/h, precipitation 2.3 mm, beware of thunderstorms (high CAPE)!.
base ~922m · wind 10 km/h · precip 2.3mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
🗓️ Best season to fly (2024 climatology)
Monthly climate score: historical avg of temp, wind, rain and cloud cover. Green = optimal month.
⭐ Best month: Feb (100/100, 22°C, 10mm lluvia) · Worst month: Nov (45/100, 191mm lluvia)
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 5 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.91 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.51 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2069 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 4.3° |
| Slope aspect | 111° (E) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
On lake Atitlan Above the town of Santa Catarina just south of Pana by 2K. Can take a taxi to launch for about 5-7 dollars then pay $2. to launch at the seminary. Ridge soaring by a lake makes glassy conditions with some 200mps cloudsuck. There is another launch at the Mirador (north of town) access by bus for $1.
Nearby sites
San Andres Panajachel (63) · San Pedro (49) · Atitlán Volcano (26) · Paramotor Club (34) · Chipoton (35) · Palin (34)