Town in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Is San Pedro La Laguna safe?
Friendly and busy with travelers, but robberies on the volcano trail, drunk nights and weak emergency care call for real care.
Is San Pedro La Laguna safe?
Friendly and busy with travelers, but robberies on the volcano trail, drunk nights and weak emergency care call for real care.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-03-11.
- Homicide rate in Guatemala: 23.4 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Guatemala: 22.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 122 · Fire 122 · Tourist police 1500.
Safety in San Pedro La Laguna at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone and bag theft in bars, dorm thefts, and armed robberies of hikers who skip guides. |
| At night | The waterfront bar strip stays lively until late; walk back in groups, watch drinks, and use pickup taxis on steep unlit lanes. |
| Solo women | Many solo women stay here; harassment is mostly catcalling. Keep drinks in sight in bars and join group hikes rather than going alone. |
| Other risks | Capsized boats in afternoon wind; Altitude of about 1,600 m; Rainy-season landslides |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Strangers offering 'cheap' weed or volcano guides near the dock
- Unmarked guides on San Pedro volcano; use agency groups
- Boat captains charging tourists double on charter rides
Take care
- San Pedro volcano trail alone: robberies reported
- Waterfront bars late at night: spiked drinks and thefts
- Steep unlit lanes after rain
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Always carry ID; in San Pedro La Laguna police may insist on your original passport.
- Don't photograph Indigenous people, especially children, without permission; it has provoked violent reactions.
- Drug possession brings long sentences in overcrowded, violent prisons.
How San Pedro La Laguna compares in Guatemala
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Antigua Guatemala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Flores | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Atitlán | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Semuc Champey | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Pedro La Laguna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Guatemala City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Quetzaltenango | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is San Pedro La Laguna safe for solo female travelers?
Many solo women stay here; harassment is mostly catcalling. Keep drinks in sight in bars and join group hikes rather than going alone.
Is San Pedro La Laguna safe at night?
The waterfront bar strip stays lively until late; walk back in groups, watch drinks, and use pickup taxis on steep unlit lanes.
What is the crime rate in San Pedro La Laguna?
Phone and bag theft in bars, dorm thefts, and armed robberies of hikers who skip guides. Nationally, Guatemala records 23.4 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in San Pedro La Laguna?
Police 110 · Ambulance 122 · Fire 122 · Tourist police 1500.
More about San Pedro La Laguna
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Going to San Pedro La Laguna solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- INGUAT, Guatemala Tourism Board
- Tigo Guatemala
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.