San Juan (Guatemala)

San Juan La Laguna is a town on Lake Atitl%C3%A1n. It doesn't have nearly as many tourists as other towns around the lake, and so it is a much quieter, more relaxed place to stay.

Get in
Lanchas from Panajachel heading to San Pedro la Laguna will take you to the dock in San Juan if you ask. A tuk-tuk from San Pedro should cost no more than Q5, and just walking it is fairly quick (~2 km). Alternatively, the pickups and buses servicing the towns around the lake can get you to San Juan as well.

Get around
The town is small enough to easily walk to any part of it within 10 minutes.

Buy
A few stores sell textiles woven by local women's cooperatives, some using natural dyes such as carrot, achote (a red seed used for cooking), etc. The profits support the local women and their families.

There are also several art galleries. Check out the works of Silvestre (scattered among several galleries and shops), whose surreal paintings often show his critical view on politics.

Eat
A few comedores with cheap food are scattered around the center of town. There is a restaurant with nice lake views down towards the dock (take the first right as you walk up from the dock and it will be on your right). Hotel Maya has a fancier (and slightly more expensive) menu in its "eco"-themed restaurant.

Try the chocofrutas that some of the small shops sell for Q2-5. Don't get ripped of at the fancy and touristy chocolate stores.



Sleep

 * Hospedaje Estrella Del Lago is fairly inexpensive with a nice location overlooking the lake. It is right off of the road leading to the dock.
 * Hotel Pa Muelle ("At the Dock") sits right above Hospedaje Estrella Del Lago and has clean, comfortable rooms with fantastic sunrise views of the lake. It's set on a well-manicured lawn with a garden and is run by a friendly and helpful local couple.

Go next
Lanchas arrive infrequently at the town's dock, so it is advisable to take a tuk-tuk to the Panajachel dock in San Pedro to catch a more frequent departure there back to Panajachel.