Major city · Guatemala
San Andrés
Go for a half-day or one night if you want a quiet lakeside break near Tikal: swim in Lake Petén Itzá, take a Spanish class, then move on.
San Andrés is a small Maya Itzá town on the north shore of Lake Petén Itzá, 45 minutes from Flores. It has no major ruins but offers clear lake swimming, community Spanish schools with homestays, and a relaxed pace. Most travellers use it as a low-key stop between Tikal and Semuc Champey or as a base for nearby Motul de San José ruins.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, road conditions worsen)
- Airport
- FRS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for San Andrés110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Andrés, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetySan Andrés is safe for daytime wandering.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 45 min by colectivo or taxi from Santa Elena).
- Getting aroundWalk the compact centre; tuk-tuks (about Q5–10) to San José or the lakeside.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk within townQ5–10
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 80
- Mid-range bedLakeside double room (Hotel Bahia Taitza type), a night, per roomGTQ 600
- High-end bedLakeside double room (Hotel Bahia Taitza type), a night, per roomGTQ 900
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 450 · High GTQ 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FRS Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores) (About 45 min by colectivo or taxi from Santa Elena)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Mar (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Andrés: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the compact centre; tuk-tuks (about Q5–10) to San José or the lakeside. Colectivos to Santa Elena/Flores run 6am–5pm.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Motul de San José ruins
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Tuk-tuk or walk 4 km (2.5 mi) north from San JoséTuk-tuk or walk 2.5 mi (4 km) north from San José
Unrestored Maya pyramids; no shade or facilities.
Flores and Tikal
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Colectivo to Santa Elena (45 min), then shuttle or bus to Tikal (1.5 h)
Full day; start early to reach Tikal by 8am.
El Remate
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Colectivo to Santa Elena, then another colectivo east (about 1 h total)
Lakeside village with birdwatching and kayaking.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lakeside (San Andrés and San José)
Hotels like Hotel Bahia Taitza and Gucumatz Lakeside Inn; kayaks and pools.
Town centre
Basic hostels and homestays near the main square; walk to the lake.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q350–600 excl. bed
- High
- Q600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Lakeside double room (Hotel Bahia Taitza type)1 × 1 night × GTQ 600 | GTQ 600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 450 | GTQ 900 |
| Colectivo Santa Elena–San Andrés, one way2 × GTQ 15 · check | GTQ 30 |
| Tuk-tuk within town1 × GTQ 10 | GTQ 10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 154 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 847 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 1,694 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Colectivo Santa Elena–San Andréscheck | Q15 |
| Tuk-tuk within town | Q5–10 |
| Helado Loco (crazy ice cream)check | Q10–20 |
| Meal at a local comedor | Q30–50 |
| Spanish class (per hour, community school)check | Q40–70 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Colectivos stop around 5pm; after that, a taxi from Santa Elena costs about Q100–150.
- Helado Loco is sold at homes and small shops, not every day — ask around.
- Motul de San José ruins are unrestored: no facilities, bring water and insect repellent.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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San AndrésSan Andrés
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
Most embassies are in Guatemala City; the nearest consular assistance is via the US Embassy in Guatemala City (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Colectivo Santa Elena → San Andrés: about Q15, 45 min (check)
- Tuk-tuk San Andrés → San José: Q10–15
- Taxi Santa Elena → San Andrés: Q100–150
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el lago? — Where is the lake? (DON-deh es-TAH el LAH-go)
- Quiero un tuk-tuk — I want a tuk-tuk (KYEH-roh oon took-took)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Andrés. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, road conditions worsen) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Motul de San José ruins and Helado Loco vendors.
- Verified Spanish school listings with homestay prices.
- Lakeside hotel pages with kayak and pool details.
Sources
Ask about San Andrés
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