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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Guatemala
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season, road conditions worsen)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GTQ
- Money
- Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q). Cards work in Antigua hotels and restaurants; markets, lake villages and shuttles often need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget Q200–350 excl. bed · Mid Q350–600 excl. bed · High Q600+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Tigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 122 · Tourist assistance 1500
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; power cuts in storms.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.; Guides (Tikal, volcanoes): Q50–100 per person per day.; Shuttle drivers: Q10–20.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Colectivo Santa Elena–San Andrés | Q15 |
| Tuk-tuk within town | Q5–10 |
| Helado Loco (crazy ice cream) | Q10–20 |
| Meal at a local comedor | Q30–50 |
| Spanish class (per hour, community school) | Q40–70 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- FRS · Mundo Maya International Airport (Flores)
- About 45 min by colectivo or taxi from Santa Elena
Typical fares
- 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
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk the compact centre; tuk-tuks (about Q5–10) to San José or the lakeside. Colectivos to Santa Elena/Flores run 6am–5pm.
See and do
Known for
- Lake Petén Itzá swimming
- Community Spanish schools with homestays
- Helado Loco (crazy ice cream with jalapeño)
- Motul de San José ruins (4 km north)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Motul de San José ruins | 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 | About 30 min |
| Flores and Tikal | Colectivo to Santa Elena (45 min), then shuttle or bus to Tikal (1.5 h) | About 2.5 h |
| El Remate | Colectivo to Santa Elena, then another colectivo east (about 1 h total) | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | HolaOH-lah |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
| Where is the lake? | ¿Dónde está el lago?DON-deh es-TAH el LAH-go |
| I want a tuk-tuk | Quiero un tuk-tukKYEH-roh oon took-took |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-see-ahs |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; in villages a softer handshake; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Photography: Ask first and accept a no; avoid: Photographing children
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Flash during ceremonies
- Bargaining: Smile, make an offer, walk away politely; avoid: Haggling over a few quetzales with weavers
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
San Andrés is safe for daytime wandering. Petty theft is rare; lock valuables at your homestay. The lake has no lifeguards — swim at your own risk.
One and two days
No timed day plan for San Andrés yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Lake Petén Itzá swimming
- Community Spanish schools with homestays
- Helado Loco (crazy ice cream with jalapeño)
- Motul de San José ruins (4 km north)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: San Andrés (Guatemala), revision 5262283 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5262283
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
San Andrés
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Most embassies are in Guatemala City; the nearest consular assistance is via the US Embassy in Guatemala City (check).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/san-andres-guatemala). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.