How much does it cost to travel to San Pedro La Laguna?
You should plan to spend around $36 (Q280) per day on your vacation in San Pedro La Laguna. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $11 (Q85) on meals
- $13 (Q103) on local transportation
- $16 (Q128) on hotels
A one week trip to San Pedro La Laguna for two people costs, on average, $506 (Q3,925). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to San Pedro La Laguna has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is San Pedro La Laguna expensive to visit?
San Pedro La Laguna is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Guatemala, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring San Pedro La Laguna in depth.
Within Central America, San Pedro La Laguna is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Central America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as San Pedro La Laguna.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is San Pedro La Laguna Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to San Pedro La Laguna?
The average San Pedro La Laguna trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these San Pedro La Laguna travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
Q128
($16)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
Q103
($13)
|
Food 2
|
Q85
($11)
|
Entertainment 1
|
Q167
($22)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
Q4 -
11
($0 - 1)
|
Alcohol 2
|
Q22 -
65
($3 - 8)
|
Accommodation Budget in San Pedro La Laguna
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in San Pedro La Laguna is $8.24 (Q64). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in San Pedro La Laguna is $16 (Q128). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro La Laguna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in San Pedro La Laguna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in San Pedro La Laguna is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $13 (Q103) per person, per day, on local transportation in San Pedro La Laguna.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$13
Q103
How much does it cost to go to San Pedro La Laguna? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in San Pedro La Laguna will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in San Pedro La Laguna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in San Pedro La Laguna can vary, the average cost of food in San Pedro La Laguna is $11 (Q85) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in San Pedro La Laguna should cost around $4.38 (Q34) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in San Pedro La Laguna is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$11
Q85
Typical prices for Food in San Pedro La Laguna are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in San Pedro La Laguna, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Lemonade
Q16
-
Cake
Q10
-
Ice cream
Q3.00
-
Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread
Q23
Entertainment Budget in San Pedro La Laguna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in San Pedro La Laguna typically cost an average of $22 (Q167) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$22
Q167
Typical prices for Entertainment in San Pedro La Laguna are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in San Pedro La Laguna, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Canopy Tour (for 2)
Q300
-
Kayaking (for 2)
Q15
-
Coffee Tour (for 2)
Q54
Tips and Handouts Budget in San Pedro La Laguna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in San Pedro La Laguna is $0.96 (Q7.46) per day. The usual amount for a tip in San Pedro La Laguna is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$0.96
Q7.46
Typical prices for Tips and Handouts in San Pedro La Laguna are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in San Pedro La Laguna, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in San Pedro La Laguna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in San Pedro La Laguna is $5.63 (Q44), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$5.63
Q44
Alcohol Budget in San Pedro La Laguna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $5.58 (Q43) on alcoholic beverages in San Pedro La Laguna per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$5.58
Q43
Water Budget in San Pedro La Laguna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $4.31 (Q33) on bottled water in San Pedro La Laguna per day. The public water in San Pedro La Laguna is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$4.31
Q33
San Pedro La Laguna On a Budget
Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala,
Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers.
Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like
San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.
Sights
Atitlan Lake is a volcanic area surrounded by three beautiful volcanoes. Volcan San Pedro is the oldest of the three, located within the caldera, and has been inactive for about 40,000 years. Also within the caldera is Volcan Toliman, which is probably still active though it has not erupted in recent history. Volcan Atitlan on the southern rim is the youngest of the three and is still active with the most recent eruption occurring in 1853. The three volcanos looming above the lake make up the stunning scenery of the area, as well as a playground for hikers and backpackers seeking adventure.
The Indian's Nose at the top of the mountain above the cities of San Juan and San Marcos is a great place to take in the views. There are a few trails as well as organized trips by horseback up to the top.
There are also several Mayan archaeological sites that have been found around the lake region, as well as a number of authentic villages that still practice traditions today. These can be fascinating visits if you are interested in experiencing some of the local culture.
Neighborhoods
As mentioned earlier, Panajachal is Lake Atitlan's main point of entry and most visited of the lake towns. It is also the transport hub, with easy access by boat to any of the other lakeside villages. From this side of the lake you will get great views on the water with two volcanos as a backdrop.
San Pedro La Laguna is a more laid-back town, small and more popular with backpackers seeking outdoor adventure.
San Marcos La Laguna is quiet as well with a focus on meditation, yoga, and massage centers.
Each of the towns has a selection of cafes and restaurants, places to stay, and opportunities to shop. Other villages in the lake region include Santiago Atitlan, Santa Cruz La Laguna, and Jaibalito. San Juan is also an emerging destination known for its dyed fabrics, San Antonio Palopo is a Mayan village known for its ceramics, and Santa Catarina Palopo is an authentic Mayan village with an abundance of traditional Kaqchikel culture.
Activities
Activities on the lake itself include a full range of options including boat tours ideal for birdwatching and visiting geothermal hot springs, kayaking any time of day, scuba diving to experience unique wildlife and volcanic features down below, as well as swimming in the lake's volcanic waters. Yoga and meditation is especially popular in San Marcos La Laguna, while hiking up to viewpoints like Indian's Nose, Mayan Face, and Volcan San Pedro are also common with visitors. Bike rentals and tours are also available to explore the areas in and around the villages.
Food and Dining
In any of the lake's villages, you will find a number of restaurants and cafes serving typical food of the region, as well as some international and American options in Panajachal. Guatemalan cuisine prominently features corn, chilies, and beans as key ingredients as well as dishes with rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, and tortillas. Tamales are a common local favorite. They come in a variety of ways, but are basically a dish made of masa (or maize), which is steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf and usually filled with meat, fruits, and/or nuts. Other main dishes include a seafood soup with plantain slices called tapado, a variety of stews made with meat, vegetables, and spices, as well as a kind of stuffed pepper dish called chiles rellenos. Desserts typically consist of banana bread, a Spanish rice pudding called arrroz con leche, and chick peas in syrup, amongst many others.
Transportation
The nearest major airport to the towns surrounding Atitlan Lake is La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City. Buses from Guatemala City to Panajachal leave approximately every hour, from 6AM to 4PM, and cost only a few US dollars. Be wary that these are poorly maintained recycled school buses with drivers who do not always adhere to speed limits. These "chicken buses," as they are called, can be dangerous.
An alternative is to take a bus to Los Encuentros, and change there for a bus to Panajachal. Many tourist agencies will arrange tourist buses or transport shuttles to Panajachel, which is probably the safest way to reach Lake Atitlan. There are also buses from Guatemala City to San Pedro La Laguna.
Once you have arrived in any of the lake towns, there are small boats that provide transport from village to village around and across the lake.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.