Experience the best of San Pedro La Laguna

San Pedro La Laguna sits on the south-western shore of Lake Atitlán, a deep volcanic lake ringed by steep green hills and three volcanoes. The town is home to the Tz'utujil Maya, and women in woven blouses sell fruit and vegetables at the market. Boats connect it with other lake villages, and the San Pedro volcano rises behind, a hike of several hours to a summit at about 3,000 metres.

San Juan La Laguna, a short boat ride away, has weaving cooperatives that dye cotton with plants, and painted murals on its walls. Santiago Atitlán, across the bay, has a shrine to Maximón, a folk saint. Panajachel, the lake's main tourist town, lies across the water on the north shore, and Spanish-language schools are a major activity in San Pedro itself.

Tortillas, black beans, tamales and pepián, a spiced meat stew, fill the markets; highland coffee is grown on the slopes above, and lake fish and fresh fruit are sold at the waterfront. In the afternoon a wind called the Xocomil often sweeps across the lake, making the water choppy. The dry months from November to April are the sunniest.