San Pedro La Laguna is a pretty lakeside town sitting on the west shore of Lago de Atitlán. It has become a popular spot among travelers who visit from around the world to experience the lake’s beauty and the town’s charm. Here are some great activities to do during your visit!
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1. Admire the Street Art
Many of the streets in San Pedro La Laguna are lined with pretty murals. You’ll just happen across art as you wander about the town. We saw quite a few along the main street and down the surrounding streets where many of the hotels and restaurants are.
We also walked up to Arte Mirador Vista de Pájaro, which showcases some pretty murals from local artists. After following a set of vibrant stairs up the hill, we reached the building where the viewpoint sits and were greeted by Rosa. She was such a kind woman who told us all about the artists in San Pedro, local life in the area, and some things to do during our visit. There was some pretty artwork in the building and a viewpoint to look out over the city a bit. It costs 10Q per person to visit this viewpoint.
2. Wander the Shops
San Pedro La Laguna has various shops where you can find souvenirs and crafted goods. There is no main craft market area as in Panajachel or San Juan, but there are quite a few souvenir shops in the heart of town along Calle del Colibrí, the main street that runs parallel to the shore, and tucked along the narrow streets that run off it. You can find shops selling various items, such as coffee, textiles, art pieces, and more.
If you want more of a local market experience in San Pedro, head up the hill to the Mercado Municipal. There, you’ll find fruit, veggies, meat, and more. We also encountered somewhat of a street market as we walked from 7a Ave towards the Mini Super Andy grocery store. There were many vendors set up along the street selling anything from fruit and flowers to home goods and ice cream.
3. Head Out on the Water
San Pedro La Laguna is a great place to get out and enjoy the beauty of Lago de Atitlán. There are opportunities to swim, kayak, jet ski, and cruise around in a private lancha.
As you walk through town near the shore, you’ll see some kayaks and jet skis lined up or buildings along the waterfront advertising rentals. Ask the price, confirm the time allotted for your adventure, and head out on the lake. Make sure to have cash to pay. Some accommodations also have equipment available for guests.
There are also some companies, such as Kayaks & Adventures Hito and Jet Skis & Kayaks Diego, that you can reach out to online or via WhatsApp in advance to inquire about reserving equipment. Some of these places also offer guided excursions if you’re interested.
Note that the water tends to get choppy in the afternoon with the winds and lots of boats out and about. So if you want to kayak or paddle board, it’s better to go earlier in the day.
We kayaked from San Pedro to Playa La Finca on afternoon – read more about it here!
4. Visit the Tz’unun Ya’ Museum
Tz’unun Ya’ is a small museum that highlights the area’s geography, history of San Pedro, and the Mayan culture and people who have long lived in this area. It’s a great way to get a general background on the area when you visit!
The museum is small, but only costs 35Q per person to enter. It is open 9am-5pm on weekdays.
5. Take in the Views from the Miradors Around Town
The views of Lago de Atitlán are stunning from many points around San Pedro, including the shoreline, various restaurants and hotels, and the miradors around town.
These miradors tend to offer nice views of the city and lake from a higher vantage point, so check some out as you explore! Some options to visit include Mirador Kayibal, Mirador Plaza Maravilla, Mirador el Vuelo del Águila, and Mirador Colibrí. Note that some may charge a small fee to access them, so bring some cash.
6. Zipline at Canopy San Pedro
Looking for an even higher viewpoint with a little adrenaline rush? Head to Canopy San Pedro to zipline! This spot is a ways up the hill from San Pedro, but you can take a tuktuk up if you aren’t feeling like making the long walk up.
Once at Canopy San Pedro, you’ll get your equipment and make a short trek to the course, which consists of two ziplines. If you make a reservation in advance, it costs Q200 per person for foreigners. For more info, visit their website.
7. Hang out at Parque La Puerta Hermosa
We’d say a visit to any city’s main park/square is a must do when traveling. Like many main parks in Central and South America, Parque La Puerta Hermosa has well-manicured greenery, pretty pathways and fountains, shaded benches, and a church sitting nearby. You’ll also find a ‘Yo amo San Pedro’ sign here.
Families and friends gather here, especially in the evenings and on weekends, to hang out. Vendors sell snacks and drinks around the square. It’s a pretty spot to stop by both during the day and when it’s lit up at night.
8. Relax in Los Termales
Los Termales are a set of manmade tubs with pretty views of the lake. They have a cold plunge pool too, and offer drinks and massages. You can also bring your own drinks.
The pools are not naturally heated like some of the thermal pools in the area, so visit the location and reserve your tub at least 30 minutes in advance so they can fill the tub and warm it up. A 1-hour tub reservation for 2+ people costs 100Q per person. There are other prices for massage and sauna combos.
9. Take A Spanish Lesson
Guatemala is a great place to learn and practice Spanish as we found the accent and speed easier to understand than in some places we’ve been (like Chile). In fact, many people travel from around the world to learn Spanish here, which has resulted in many Spanish schools popping up around the lake. Plus learning is even more enjoyable with Lago de Atitlán as your backdrop!
Various accommodations offer Spanish lessons. But you can also inquire about courses through the schools in San Pedro, such as Guatemaya Spanish Academy, Coopertiva, or San Pedro Spanish School.
10. Learn to Cook Guatemalan Dishes
In addition Spanish classes, you can also take a cooking class in San Pedro La Laguna! The dishes of the area are highly influenced by Mayan culture as many of the communities around the lake are of Mayan descent. Classes will teach you about traditional ingredients, cooking methods, and common dishes as you get to prepare and enjoy your own dish.
Some options to check out include Guatemaya Cooking Class, Mayan Kitchen, and House of the Traveler.
11. Take a Day Trip to See More of the Area
If you come to Lago de Atitlán, don’t just stay put in one spot! San Pedro is a lovely town, but it also makes a great home base for exploring the other incredible things in the area.
There are many other towns along the lake that are a quick lancha or tuktuk ride away, including Tzununa, San Marcos, San Pablo, San Juan, Panajachel, Santiago Atitlán, and more. You can also head up further into the hills to climb Volcán San Pedro, hike up El Rostro Maya, visit coffee plantations, and more.
There are so many ways to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of the area, from ziplining and taking a swim to hiking and cruising around the lake in an ATV.
You can find many different tours and excursions on sites like Get Your Guide and Viator or through various tour agencies located in the cities along the lake. Check out our Guatemala page for more info on some of the things we got up to while visiting Lago de Atitlán.
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