San Juan (Guatemala)
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.
See
Church of San JuanThe church was built in the 15th century and is beautiful from the outside and inside. On the right-hand side you can see the Rostro Maya, mountains forming a lying face of an Indian in the distance.
Do
La Nariz del IndioLa Nariz del Indio, a mountain named after its resemblance to a Mayan's profile with a prominent nose, lies just NNW of town. It is now a national park with well maintained trails, informational displays, roofed miradores (lookouts) and a Q30 entrance fee. The entrance lies along the main road heading out of town towards San Pablo (clockwise around the lake). The entire hike in and out can be done in 3-4 hours easily. Alternatively, one can take a different route out the back towards Santa Clara la Laguna, then catch pickup trucks or tuk-tuks back towards San Pablo and then San Juan (Q5 each leg for Q10 total).
El MiradorClimb el mirador for a fantastic view over the lake. It's Q10 for the entrance and then a 10 min climb up the same path as for la Nariz del Indio. No guide needed, a policeman is even at the plattform.
Textile productionWalk into one of the textile associations like Casa Flor Ixcaco Weaving Cooperative or Asociacion de Mujeres en Colores Botanico and ask them to show you how thread is made from cotton and how they produce the many different colors naturally. Leave a small donation unless you purchase something afterwards.
Chocolate productionSee a demonstration at Licor Marron on how cocoa is grown and chocolate is produced. They also have a shop where they sell handmade products.
Buy
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.
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Comedor Elenita
address: Calle 5aComedor Elenita is popular among locals and serves set guatemaltecan lunch. Veggie option available. Fish plates are around Q70. -
Tienda with no name
address: Av 6aGet chocofrutas in this small shop. The fruits are frozen and are dipped into liquid chocolate.
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.
- 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.
Ecohotel UxlabilIs much more expensive, around US$50 for a double, but it has large, well-maintained grounds with a volleyball court, hot tub, sauna, its own dock, etc. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
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phone: +502 43579059Lakeside and 1km east of San Juan. Panoramic views. 5 rooms 5 cabins 2 apartments.
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.