Sitting on the far western shore of Lago de Atitlán sits a charming little city called San Pedro La Laguna. This spot has grown in popularity over the years and we totally get why! Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in Guatemalan culture through a cooking class or Spanish lesson, want to just relax on the shores of a gorgeous lake, or are seeking out some amazing views, there are tons of activities here for any traveler. Here’s a basic guide to help you plan your trip.
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Why Stay in San Pedro La Laguna?
There are quite a few great options to consider when deciding which city to stay in during your visit to Lago de Atitlán. If you have the time, we’d recommend staying a day or two in multiple cities. However, if you don’t have the time to switch cities or just want to stay in one accommodation, you can easily explore different areas around the lake on day trips.
Each city along the shores of Lago de Atitlán has a different vibe. With the massive growth in tourism to this area of Guatemala, each town has adapted, and accommodation, more lanchas to shuttle tourists around, restaurants and cafés, picturesque street art, and tour agencies have popped up.
After staying a couple nights in Panajachel, we headed over to San Pedro La Laguna for the next few days. We chose San Pedro because it is still a bustling spot with many activities for visitors, but we had read that it’s a bit less touristy than the neighboring town of San Juan. Being on the western side of Lago de Atitlán also provided a great base for exploring nearby highlights, like Cerro Tzankujil and El Rostro Maya. We really loved this town and would definitely stay here again!
Getting There and Away
Shuttle Transfer
One of the most common ways among tourists to travel to Lago de Atitlán is by van transport. There are many companies you can find online to book a transfer between Antigua, the airport or bus terminal in Guatemala City, various cities along the shores of Atitlán, and other destinations. Some popular options to book through include Guatemala Rides, Guate Driver, Simoon Tours, Transport Guatemala, and Quetzal Shuttle. You can also find various companies and drivers posting their contact information on travel forums.
Additionally, hotels are often willing to organize a ride for you. We’d recommend doing a little searching before organizing a ride through your hotel to make sure you aren’t being overcharged. Our hotel in Panajachel quoted us quite a bit higher than the various companies listed online; however, our hotel in San Pedro helped us organize a ride from San Pedro to Antigua, which was convenient and reasonably priced.
We’ve heard a lot of negative stories across companies regarding shuttles not showing up, terrible customer service, etc. So, come in with a little patience and flexibility in case issues arise. We encountered an issue on our journey to Panajachel where the shuttle showed up over 2 hours late. They claimed it was because of a strike near the airport, but we had been watching all of the other shuttles come and go and were the last group of gringos waiting outside the airport.
Lanchas
Lanchas are the small boats that cruise around the lake, connecting the various towns along Lago de Atitlán. Just head towards the main pier in San Pedro La Laguna and you’ll have people asking if you need a ride.
Lanchas cost between Q10 and Q30, depending where you’re headed. Note that locals do get a discounted rate, so don’t get confused if you’re being charged more as a foreigner.
Boats generally leave every 30 minutes, but schedules aren’t really set and they leave when full. The lanchas from San Pedro generally run from 6:30-7a.m. until 5:30-6pm.
Getting Around San Pedro La Laguna
While San Pedro La Laguna is quite a hilly town, it is still fairly small and walkable. Most of the accommodation, dining options, and shops sit around the shoreline fairly close to each other.
If you need to go a further distance or don’t feel like walking, there are tuk tuks around. Rides within the town should cost between Q5-Q10 with rides to San Juan and other spots beyond the city costing more. Always agree on a price before taking a ride and have cash to pay for it.
Where to Stay in San Pedro La Laguna
San Pedro La Laguna is a pretty popular backpacker destination, so don’t expect any super fancy resorts here. There are nice Airbnbs in the area and nice resorts elsewhere around the lake. However, San Pedro does have a good range of accommodations, whether you’re looking to meet other travelers in a dorm setting or want a quiet room on the outskirts of town. Here are some options to consider.
Budget:
- Hospedaje Lolita: Dorms and double rooms with private bathrooms.
- Hospedaje Gonzáles: Double rooms with shared or private bathrooms and breakfast included with some bookings.
- Amigos: Dorms and double rooms with private bathrooms and breakfast included with some bookings.
Mid-Range:
- Mikaso Hotel: Double and family rooms with private bathrooms.
- Hotel Xetawaa’l: Twin and queen rooms with private bathrooms. This is where we stayed, though it was much cheaper when we visited.
- Refugio del Volcán Casitas: Private small houses.
High-End:
- Sababa Resort: Dorms to suites with breakfast included. We want to note that while the price for some of the rooms is on the higher end and it is a resort atmosphere, there are also dorms here and there are many party hostels around the resort, so keep that in mind if you’d prefer a quieter escape.
- Lakefront Villa: Private lakeside villa
Where to Eat
With the growth in tourism to the area, many different restaurants have popped up around San Pedro La Laguna. If you just walk along the main street that runs just above the shore and down some of the surrounding streets, you’ll come across many dining options.
While in Guatemala, definitely try some local dishes! If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, there are some street stalls set up around the center of town selling pupusas, grilled meat skewers, tostadas, fresh juices, and more. You’ll find more of these options as you head up the hill away from the touristy area.
If you’re looking for more of a sit-down restaurant, some options to try include Jakuu for Guatemalan plates, El Gato Perdido for breakfast and a variety of lunch/dinner dishes, Pita Sabij or Alma for shawarma and other Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean bites, The Fifth Dimension for a variety of dishes, Tacoyaki for ramen, Súper Ceviches, iCafe for delicious breakfasts (they also serve other meals, but we loved their breakfasts), Tornado’s Coffee for breakfast, No Hay Deer for smashburgers, and Forbidden Fruit for a refreshing smoothie bowl. There are honestly so many more options around town to try!
Groceries
If you are looking for basic grocery items to cook a meal at your hostel, snacks, or water, there are many tiendas and some market stands around San Pedro La Laguna. There’s also a Mini Super Andy grocery store that should cover all your basic needs. If you’re looking for something very specific, you may want to grab it in a larger city, like Guatemala City, Antigua, or Panajachel, where there are more grocery options.
Tours
There are many things to do in the area that don’t require a tour. However, if you want a guided excursion, there are many tour options, from kayak trips and hikes to cooking classes and tours of the multiple towns along the lake.
There are a few tour operators located in San Pedro La Laguna that you can book through upon arrival or reach out to in advance. You can also find many different tours and excursions on sites like Get Your Guide and Viator. If you’re on a tight schedule or have exact tours and timings in mind, we’d recommend doing a little research and booking in advance of your visit.
Money
When visiting San Pedro La Laguna, you’ll likely need cash. While the growth in tourism has expanded the acceptance of card at various establishments, many places still only accept cash. At market stalls, street food vendors, some restaurants, when taking tuk tuks and lanchas, etc., you may need cash. Some hotels, restaurants, and other spots will charge a fee for using a card as well.
There are a handful of ATMs in San Pedro La Laguna around the main pier and up the hill near the Mini Super Andy grocery store. Wherever we travel, we always recommend going to one inside a bank or monitored business and to only pull out money during the day when possible. All the ATMs we came across in San Pedro La Laguna were 5B machines, which charged a higher fee than some others, so we recommend pulling out money in Antigua, Panajachel, or another city before you arrive if possible. The Banco Industrial ATMs in Pana offered a lower fee, so we took out enough cash to last us until we went to Antigua.
If you have to exchange currencies to Quetzales, you can do so at the Banrural Bank and at some hotels and businesses around the main pier. However, we wouldn’t rely on this because there’s a limit on the amount you can exchange, your bills must be in perfect condition, and the rates you get are often not favorable.
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