I just returned from Guatemala (May 06) where I spent five weeks in San Pedro. I am now a huge fan, and I don't even party or do any drugs, but obviously if you do you'll like it even more. 2 Lunas -- a local restaurant -- has great tacos with a fresh salsa bar, otherswise if you are hungry, have some tostadas or tamales from the market in the daytime, and papas fritas in the nighttime. The lake is beautiful, the people are great. I prefered staying on the Santiago Dock street for a more local experience, but it's nice if you need a Western fix or a movie to go over to the other bars and restuarants too. San Pedro is a progressive and thriving indigenous town. In fact I've heard that most of the real estate in San Marcos is owned by people in San Pedro, which would explain why San Marcos is much more depressed and hurting in terms of El Centro. Don't be fooled by the new age paradise perched on the banks of the lake.
San Pedro is the best place for chill out for a while. It is true the drugs are everywhere but all the countries had drug dealers and junkies.
Everybody come to San Pedro! Relax and let the experience take you to another level.
San Pedro is the best place on earth. I visited there twice and plan to go again in 2007. The locals are friendly, the food is great, I ate most of the time at the Zula -- I recommend this place.
San Pedro is amazing. For food go to Jarachik, for dance to Freedom, for Spanish to brenda and tosho. San Pedro is one of the best places I have been in Central America. Highly recommended.
There are some "gangs" in San Pedro, but I'd use the term quite loosely in the sense that groups of young men do get together with some sort of agenda and do bad things and/or try to mislead, harass or rob people. I don't think there's anything more to be concerned over as a traveler than similar, loosely joined together individuals one might find in most major cities in the world. I didn't know there was a name attached to the "guides" at the dock. If you don't want to deal with them, then ignore them as you come off the boat and climb up the hill into town. Most of the times they are drunk or needing to get drunk and the latter conditions make their behavior a bit more desperate.
Spent a couple of weeks studying espanol in San Pedro in May 2005. The drug scene is fairly open, but it's not like folks are lying in the streets with needles in their arms. Dirty? No dirtier than most Latin American pueblos, maybe less so. Yes, I got sick -- had the runs for two months following my return, but had I been a bit more cautious (and sought immediate medical attention), this might not have happened. I would definitely go back to San Pedro, and would recommend others to visit before it becomes another overcrowded, over-rated Panajachal. (Personally, I think the San Pedro we know and love will soon disappear.)
If you can't have fun in San Pedro, you don't know how. If you can't enjoy good food anywhere in San Pedro, you won't any where else in the world. If you don't like the people you meet in San Pedro, you don't like people. TheTzu'tu'jil Mayans are wonderful. Go to every restaurant -- the owners maybe foreign, but the cooks are Guatemletecan. Love the local people, respect their culture, and they will respect you. If you are looking for a place to live like you want, try San Pedro. Everybody does what they want. Relax. Just show your love.
San Pedro la Laguna is an amazing place to visit and still very inexpensive. The views are epic and most of the locals are friendly and full of laughter. The accommodations, restaurants, and services have come a long way since the first time I visited six years ago (you couldn't find peanut butter back then). There is something for everyone there. You can learn Spanish or weaving, kayak, hike, party, volunteer, lounge in a hammock. Sure there is a drug scene but that is not nearly as obvious as the colorful and traditional pueblo up the hill with its market and mostly indigenous population. Bad things happen everywhere and it's awful and no one wants it to continue. And no, tourism won't stop, because most travelers who venture into Guatemala are smart and not afraid. For me, kayaking two hours a day, eating the freshest fruits, vegetables and meats, drinking fine rum, and lounging in my hammock on a budget of $15 a day is just where I like to be. That is the San Pedro I know and love.
San Pedro is cool for drogas and if you want to feel the groove with some burned out ex-pats. Be careful though, it's April 2008 and just a couple of months ago a foreign girl who was a bartender in San Pedro was robbed, raped, and beaten severely almost to death.
i just visited San Pedro la Laguna and fell in love with it. I only had a week to spend, at the end it was so hard to leave.
San Pedro is a very beautiful and relaxing place. Go to Freedom Bar for some food and take in the beautiful atmosphere. The Full Moon parties are something to see. Relax and enjoy and take in the fresh water Lake.
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