Activities in San Pedro La Laguna
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Cooperativa Spanish School
Run as a cooperative (therefore guaranteeing fair wages for teachers), Cooperativa Spanish School comes highly recommended. A percentage of profits goes to needy families around the lake. After-school activities include videos, conferences, salsa classes, volunteer work, kayaking and hiking. The office is halfway along the path between the two docks.
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Casa Rosario
Run by respected brothers and teachers Samuel and Vicente Cumes, Casa Rosario holds classes in gardens near the lake. The office is along first street to the left as you walk up from Santiago dock. Volunteer projects include reforestation, teachers' assistants and environmental awareness campaigns.
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Excursion Big Foot
Fifty metres to the left of Volcán San Pedro at the first crossroads up from San Pedro's Panajachel dock, Excursion Big Foot has a track record of responsibility in this respect and goes at 06:00 when there are at least four people (around US$10 each). The ascent is through fields of maize, beans and squash, followed by primary cloud forest. You'll be back in San Pedro about 13:00. Take water, snacks, a hat and sunblock.
Excursion Big Foot will also guide a minimum of four people up the hill to the west of the village that is generally referred to as Indian Nose (its skyline resembles the profile of an ancient Maya dignitary) for around US$10 each; it also offers horse r…
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Walking
Walking from San Pedro to other lakeside villages is, sadly, potentially risky. In recent years there have been robberies, at least one armed attack and at least one rape at various places between San Pedro and Jaibalito, and robberies between San Pedro and Santiago. Hopefully this will change, but meanwhile we don't recommend these walks except with a responsible guide who can give convincing safety assurances.
It takes about four hours from San Pedro to Santiago, 1½ hours to San Pablo, three hours to San Marcos and six hours to Santa Cruz.
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Ascending Volcán San Pedro
Looming above the village, Volcán San Pedro almost asks to be climbed by anyone with a bit of energy and adventurous spirit. The volcano has recently been placed within an Ecological Park to minimize environmental damage caused by hikers and also to improve the security situation, which wasn't great before. Guides can take you up here from San Pedro for around US$13, including entrance fee.
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Escuela Mayab
Down a laneway coming off the street between the two docks, the well-organized Escuela Mayab holds classes under shelters in artistically designed gardens. Activities include videos, kayaking and horse rides, although tuition is cheaper without these things. It is associated with a medical clinic in Nahuala and can organize volunteer work for doctors, nurses and assistants.
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Hiking Indian Nose
Another popular hike goes up the hill to the west of the village that is generally referred to as Indian Nose (its skyline resembles the profile of an ancient Maya dignitary.) Excursion Big Foot (7a Av, Zona 2) will guide a minimum of four people up there for around US$10 each; it also offers horse rides (around US$3 per hour) and rents bikes (US$1.5/7 per hour/day).
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San Pedro Spanish School
San Pedro Spanish School, a well-organized school on a street between the two docks, consistently gets good reviews. Classes are held under shelters in artistically designed gardens. The school supports Niños del Lago, an organization that sponsors Tz'utujil children to provide them with education, health care and nutrition.
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Thermal Waters
After all walking up and down the volcano and Indian Nose, you'll probably be in need of a good soak, and one of the best places to do so is in the solar-heated tubs at Thermal Waters, down a small path next to the Buddha Bar. Book ahead so they have a pool nice and hot for you when you arrive.
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Corazón Maya
Turn first left as you go up from Santiago dock to reach the well established Corazón Maya. Activities include cooking classes, visits to local artists, and conferences about current political, social and cultural issues in Latin America.
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Cooking Classes
Turn first left as you go up from Santiago dock to reach the well established Corazón Maya. Activities include cooking classes, visits to local artists, and conferences about current political, social and cultural issues in Latin America.
reviewed
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La Mysticoteca
Turning right from the Pana dock and following the 'Yoga and Massage' signs brings you to La Mysticoteca. This health and wellness center offers courses in Shiatsu massage, reiki and meditation. You can also practice yoga.
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Cielo Maya
On the path between the docks, Cielo Maya is a Tz'utujil women's collective that sells fair-trade woven goods and offers weaving and beading classes from around US$2 per hour (materials not included).
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Kayaking
Kayaks are available for hire, turning right from the Pana dock.
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