Things to do in San Pedro La Laguna
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Buddha Bar
An excellent place to hang out - downstairs there's a pool table, upstairs a restaurant doing convincing versions of Thai, Indian and other Asian dishes.
reviewed
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D'Noz
This is upstairs above Nick's and is another popular hangout - it's about as close as San Pedro gets to a cultural center, with a global menu, free movies, a big bar, board games and a lending library.
reviewed
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Chile's
Chile's deck overlooking the Pana dock and lake will always be a popular option. The party starts later here, too, with free salsa classes and dance music through the week.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Fata Morgana
Really good coffee has finally made it to San Pedro thanks to this little Italian restaurant/café/bakery. Also on offer are some good basic pastas and excellent homemade breads and pastries.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Shanti Shanti
By far the best set-up as far as lakeside chilling goes. Falafel, sandwiches and curry are just some of the tempters on the menu here.
reviewed
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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…
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Caza Sueños
About 100m uphill from Hotel Mansión del Lago is Caza Sueños, a leather shop owned by brothers Fernando and Pedro González. They handcraft custom leather goods, including vests, boots, bags and whatever else you may want in hide. For an incredibly reasonable around US$35 the brothers will craft a pair of shoes to your specifications of size, color, fringe, trim and lace style; allow a few days.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Alegre Pub
Near the Pana dock, the Alegre is always, well, alegre (happy), with a real British pub feel - drinks specials, a Sunday roast and trivia nights. There are free movies twice a week in the way laid-back rooftop garden, and loads of free, reliable tourist info. The big breakfast fry-up will make Brits weep with homesickness. The Alegre Lounge has a range of ridiculous drinks specials.
reviewed
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Museo Maya Tzutujil
Museo Maya Tzutujil is the more humble of the two museums, but it does have some good displays on the various trajes (traditional costumes) used by people around the lake, some great old photographs and a good lending library/bookstore. Once a month or so, a Maya priest comes to perform ceremonies here, and the public is welcome to attend - ask when the next one is.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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).
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Museo Tz'unun Ya'
Museo Tz'unun Ya' is an excellent, modern museum focusing in part on culture and folklore and in part on the fascinating geology of the region. Displays are semi-interactive and a free guided tour (in Spanish only at the time of writing) is included in the admission price.
reviewed
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Galería de Arte
Galería de Arte, on the road leading uphill from the Santiago dock, is operated by the family of celebrated primitivist artist Pedro Rafael González Chavajay. Some of his paintings and those of many of his family and students are exhibited and sold here.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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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El Barrio
This cozy little bar on the path between the two docks has one of the most happening happy hours in town, food till midnight and drinks till one. There's a good cocktail and snacks list and a couple of chilled-out outside areas.
reviewed
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Freedom Bar
The hardest-partying bar in town, the Freedom has good lounging areas, a pool table, a (relatively) huge dance floor and often hosts guest DJs on weekends. It's on the first street to your left coming up from the Pana dock.
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.
reviewed
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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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