Major city · Guatemala
San Pedro la LagunaSan Pedro La Laguna
Stay 3 nights: walkable lakeside town, Spanish schools and volcano hikes, Q250–500/day plus bed. Skip the last week of June (noise).
San Pedro la Laguna sits on the south-west shore of Lake Atitlán, across the water from Panajachel, and is the lake's backpacker base: cheap beds, Spanish schools, kayaks and two volcano hikes. The town is small and walkable — most hotels are 1–10 minutes from the dock — and everything tourist-facing is priced for visitors. Three nights covers the hikes, a village hop and a rest day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry, clear volcano views)
- avoid Late Jun–early Jul (simulated artillery noise day and night); May–Oct rains
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 3
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.
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 Pedro la Laguna110 ▾
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 Pedro la Laguna, 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
- SafetySmall and generally safe by day, but trails and rural roads have seen armed robberies — hike with a local guide, and do not walk unlit paths at night.
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 (INGUAT) (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.
- AirportGUA La Aurora, Guatemala City (Shuttles and direct buses run to San Pedro, about 4 h; most travellers arrive via Antigua.).
- Getting aroundOn foot: the lakeside area is walkable and most things are within 10 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet food (sausage or chicken with beans, guacamole, tortillas)Q8
- Budget bedPrivate room, shared bath, a night, per roomGTQ 55
- Mid-range bedPrivate room, shared bath, a night, per roomGTQ 100
- High-end bedPrivate room, shared bath, a night, per roomGTQ 200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 200 · Mid GTQ 375 · High GTQ 700
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
- GUA La Aurora, Guatemala City (Shuttles and direct buses run to San Pedro, about 4 h; most travellers arrive via Antigua.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Avoid*
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid*
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jun (22 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
San Pedro la Laguna: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
15 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
22 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
20 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
20 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
22 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
16 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 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
On foot: the lakeside area is walkable and most things are within 10 minutes. Tuk-tuks cover the hill up to San Juan and the upper town. Boats (lanchas) link the villages around the lake.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
San Juan la Laguna
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Walk uphill about 30 min, or tuk-tuk
Weaving co-ops, murals and cafés; easy half-day.
Panajachel
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Lancha from the dock
Q25–30 for visitors; bring change.
Santiago Atitlán
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Lancha from the Santiago dock
Market, Maximón shrines and a different pace.
San Marcos La Laguna
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Lancha along the shore
Quiet, yoga-focused village; good for a slow afternoon.
Santa Cruz la Laguna
cautionDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Lancha
Steep climb from the dock; check boat times back.
Santa Catarina Palopó
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Lancha via Panajachel
Painted village; combine with Panajachel.
Jaibalito
skipDoor to door: About 40 min
Lancha
Small; only worth it if you are hiking the shore trail.
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.
Lakeshore near the Panajachel dock
Hotels, bars and the main trail; 1–10 min walk from the dock, no taxi needed.
Main trail (Zona 2)
Hostels, cafés and Spanish schools along the paved walkway; the busiest strip.
Near the Santiago dock
Quieter, 10 min from the market and bar strip; good for light sleepers.
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
- Q150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q250–500 excl. bed
- High
- Q500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room, shared bath1 × 3 nights × GTQ 100 | GTQ 300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × GTQ 375 | GTQ 2,250 |
| Lancha San Pedro → Panajachel, one way2 × GTQ 30 · check | GTQ 60 |
| Kayak rental, one hour2 × GTQ 20 · check | GTQ 40 |
| Volcán San Pedro guide fee2 × GTQ 100 · check | GTQ 200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × GTQ 150 | GTQ 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 315 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 578 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 3,465 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; transport to the lake excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Street food (sausage or chicken with beans, guacamole, tortillas) | Q8 |
| Breakfast or lunch plate at a comedor | Q15–20 |
| Yoga class | Q40 |
| Kayak rental, one hourcheck | Q20 |
| Lancha to PanajachelVisitors' fare; locals pay less. | Q25–30 |
| Shuttle Antigua → San Pedro | Q50–70 |
| Paragliding flightcheck | about US$90 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Touts meet boats at the dock; hotels pay them a Q5 commission and the room can cost more if they follow you — say no and walk to your hotel.
- Armed robberies have been reported on rural roads and trails, especially Volcán San Pedro: hire a local guide.
- Some cheap hotels have unsafe wiring (showers wired to the plumbing at one budget place) — inspect the room and the breaker before you pay.
- Anything touristy is priced touristically; ask the price before you commit.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance (INGUAT)
- 1500
Pocket card
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San Pedro la LagunaSan Pedro La Laguna
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance (INGUAT)1500
Embassy
No embassies in San Pedro; the US, UK, Canada and others are in Guatemala City — check your embassy's hours before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lancha San Pedro → Panajachel: Q25–30 for visitors, about 30 min (check)
- Shuttle San Pedro → Antigua: Q50–70, about 3 h with a rest stop (check)
- Bus San Pedro → Guatemala City: about Q25, 4 h (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- No, gracias — No, thank you (no GRA-syas)
- ¿Dónde está el muelle? — Where is the dock? (DON-de es-TA el MWE-ye)
- No necesito guía — I don't need a guide (no ne-se-SI-to GEE-a)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Es seguro caminar allí? — Is it safe to walk there? (es se-GU-ro ka-mi-NAR a-YI)
Tipping: 10% in restaurants (often added as 'propina'); tip guides and shuttle drivers.
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 Pedro la Laguna. 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: Nov–Apr (dry, clear volcano views) · avoid Late Jun–early Jul (simulated artillery noise day and night); May–Oct rains · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Dock-to-bed contract: tout rules, commission, and a walk-time map from both docks.
- Two hike pages with verified guide rules and robbery reports: Volcán San Pedro and Indian Nose.
- Eat pages with hours and last orders for the main trail, plus a Q8 street-food anchor.
- Boat timetable fixtures for the five lake villages so day-trip verdicts can go green.