Tips to surviving high season in San Marcos
The onset of high season is upon us. Yup, whether you like it or not the population in town is about to triple. From December to around the end of March the town seems to be flooded with tourists and people escaping cooler climates to spend some time in the land of eternal spring. While the season generally brings a lot of tourist money to the town, here are some tips to make your experience and the towns experience a little more pleasurable for everyone.
and intuition to find
the right people for you. When in doubt, ask around for recommendations.
4. There are generally three price tears in these parts, tourists, residents and locals. Tuk Tuks and boat prices are
regulated and posted at some of the docks. If you can’t afford the extra Q5 to get to San Pedro, DON’T GO. Just
because you have been here before or for a
week does not make you a resident. If you can get away with paying less, fabulous, be grateful, but quite frankly it
is embarrassing to hear and see people arguing over 80 cents. Some places, like Pana, treat everyone much more
equally when it comes to pricing. Here it is not always the case. Try to get informed of how much tuk tuks and
transport costs are so at least you can find another driver if someone is totally trying to rip you off.
5. Same goes for produce, if you are being charged unfairly, don’t buy with those vendors. They have to make trips to
surrounding markets themselves to bring goods here. The extra few q that you may save will be spent on your
transportation costs. Again you have free will, so feel free to use it.
6. The Quetzal is the currency in Guatemala. Dollars are becoming harder and harder to change. Banrural only accept
pristine $50 and $100 notes. Any rips, marks or stains will not be accepted. Dollars are almost impossible to
change in the city so if you need to change them, Pana and San Pedro are your best options. There is an ATM in
town. At times people have reported issues with it so if you are going to use it make sure you can see your account
online to double check security. If there is a problem call the bank immediately and report it to the tourist police.
Xoom is getting to be more popular for money transfers but only works with USA accounts.
7. Most crime that happens here is avoidable. You do not need your ATM card, passport or hundreds of Q with you
while you are swimming, hiking or at any big event. Leave your valuables at home, locked safely away if possible.
You are in a third world country and have a lot more than most that live here. So if you want to leave your phone or
computer on your bed with your door unlocked while you leave the room, go ahead, but, do not be surprised when
it is gone by the time you get back.
8. If a crime happens please report it to the DISETEUR, tourist police (dressed in Navy blue shirts.) They are much
more helpful in taking reports. They are located upstairs to the left of the stage in Central Park above the Renap
office. In one of the “files” on Facebook san Marcos Atitlan Community page there is a list of emergency numbers
if you are in need of assistance.
9. Follow your intuition. If a situation feels wrong or uncomfortable you do not have to be polite, get out of it. Your
boundaries are yours, no explanation needed. Ask for help and watch out for each other.
[email protected] is a confidential email for more sensitive issues.
10. Get dressed in the morning and stay dressed while in public places. You are a visitor in an Indigenous community
where girls were not even allowed to wear shorts to play sports 10 years ago. When you see the majority of
Indigenous women walking around im booty shorts and in their bras and the majority of men walking around
shirtless or in Speedos, by all means, feel free to do the same.
We are not on an island, this is not a beach town so unless you are physically at the lake just please put some
clothes on. You would not sit on a train in India wearing hardly anything so please, as “world travelers” have the
respect to dress while here.
11. Bathe – a no brainer for most… No shower? Well you are at the lake so no excuses. While you may not be
repelled by your own body odour others may be. It is actually one of the biggest and most stated complaints of
the local community. There is no need to smell and patchouli oil can only do so much.
12. “High” Season refers to the amount of people here, not your state of consciousness or lack thereof. If you are
choosing to engage in recreational, hard core or medicinal drug use, please be advised that it is not legal here.
Police say they have a right to search anyone, at any time, just because you are in an area where marijuana use is
prevalent. There is absolutely no judgement here, just giving you a heads up that you want to keep it out of
public places to minimise your chances of having a run in with police. You may be here short term but long term
businesses will be held accountable for your choices if you get caught in their premises.
13. A smile goes a long way in these parts. Especially if you do not speak Spanish (which by the way is also the second
language for the Indigenous people who live here.) Communicate by smiling and at least make an attempt to
learn a few words. An effort is always appreciated. If you choose not to speak Spanish, just so you know, talking
louder and yelling at people in another language does not help them to understand. I am willing to bet that you
have had more opportunities to learn a second language than the people here.
For most, English is their third.
14. Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Aware and please don’t be an asshole.
San Marcos has so much to offer. So explore, get involved, have conversations, ask questions and most of all be the change you want to see in the world. Your experience is up to you, so open your heart, expand your mind and connect.
Wishing everyone a safe, fun filled, inspirational journey.
The onset of high season is upon us. Yup, whether you like it or not the population in town is about to triple. From December to around the end of March the town seems to be flooded with tourists and people escaping cooler climates to spend some time in the land of eternal spring. While the season generally brings a lot of tourist money to the town, here are some tips to make your experience and the towns experience a little more pleasurable for everyone.
- If you want a place to stay it is best to make reservations. Hotels and AirBnBs fill up fast, especially over the Christmas season. While some places do take walk ins, many people end up staying in San Marcos a lot longer than expected so, plan ahead.
- Your money has power. Support established businesses and people who are here year round that give back to the community.
- San Marcos is termed the “spiritual community” around the lake. However I can assure you those running around telling you how “spiritual” they are, are the least conscious people here. Most show up for a few months, set up their “business,” earn some cash and then move on to their next destination. Most copycat anything and everything that exists here year round. This would not even be possible in most first world countries as the paperwork alone would take months to organize and be approved.
and intuition to find
the right people for you. When in doubt, ask around for recommendations.
4. There are generally three price tears in these parts, tourists, residents and locals. Tuk Tuks and boat prices are
regulated and posted at some of the docks. If you can’t afford the extra Q5 to get to San Pedro, DON’T GO. Just
because you have been here before or for a
week does not make you a resident. If you can get away with paying less, fabulous, be grateful, but quite frankly it
is embarrassing to hear and see people arguing over 80 cents. Some places, like Pana, treat everyone much more
equally when it comes to pricing. Here it is not always the case. Try to get informed of how much tuk tuks and
transport costs are so at least you can find another driver if someone is totally trying to rip you off.
5. Same goes for produce, if you are being charged unfairly, don’t buy with those vendors. They have to make trips to
surrounding markets themselves to bring goods here. The extra few q that you may save will be spent on your
transportation costs. Again you have free will, so feel free to use it.
6. The Quetzal is the currency in Guatemala. Dollars are becoming harder and harder to change. Banrural only accept
pristine $50 and $100 notes. Any rips, marks or stains will not be accepted. Dollars are almost impossible to
change in the city so if you need to change them, Pana and San Pedro are your best options. There is an ATM in
town. At times people have reported issues with it so if you are going to use it make sure you can see your account
online to double check security. If there is a problem call the bank immediately and report it to the tourist police.
Xoom is getting to be more popular for money transfers but only works with USA accounts.
7. Most crime that happens here is avoidable. You do not need your ATM card, passport or hundreds of Q with you
while you are swimming, hiking or at any big event. Leave your valuables at home, locked safely away if possible.
You are in a third world country and have a lot more than most that live here. So if you want to leave your phone or
computer on your bed with your door unlocked while you leave the room, go ahead, but, do not be surprised when
it is gone by the time you get back.
8. If a crime happens please report it to the DISETEUR, tourist police (dressed in Navy blue shirts.) They are much
more helpful in taking reports. They are located upstairs to the left of the stage in Central Park above the Renap
office. In one of the “files” on Facebook san Marcos Atitlan Community page there is a list of emergency numbers
if you are in need of assistance.
9. Follow your intuition. If a situation feels wrong or uncomfortable you do not have to be polite, get out of it. Your
boundaries are yours, no explanation needed. Ask for help and watch out for each other.
[email protected] is a confidential email for more sensitive issues.
10. Get dressed in the morning and stay dressed while in public places. You are a visitor in an Indigenous community
where girls were not even allowed to wear shorts to play sports 10 years ago. When you see the majority of
Indigenous women walking around im booty shorts and in their bras and the majority of men walking around
shirtless or in Speedos, by all means, feel free to do the same.
We are not on an island, this is not a beach town so unless you are physically at the lake just please put some
clothes on. You would not sit on a train in India wearing hardly anything so please, as “world travelers” have the
respect to dress while here.
11. Bathe – a no brainer for most… No shower? Well you are at the lake so no excuses. While you may not be
repelled by your own body odour others may be. It is actually one of the biggest and most stated complaints of
the local community. There is no need to smell and patchouli oil can only do so much.
12. “High” Season refers to the amount of people here, not your state of consciousness or lack thereof. If you are
choosing to engage in recreational, hard core or medicinal drug use, please be advised that it is not legal here.
Police say they have a right to search anyone, at any time, just because you are in an area where marijuana use is
prevalent. There is absolutely no judgement here, just giving you a heads up that you want to keep it out of
public places to minimise your chances of having a run in with police. You may be here short term but long term
businesses will be held accountable for your choices if you get caught in their premises.
13. A smile goes a long way in these parts. Especially if you do not speak Spanish (which by the way is also the second
language for the Indigenous people who live here.) Communicate by smiling and at least make an attempt to
learn a few words. An effort is always appreciated. If you choose not to speak Spanish, just so you know, talking
louder and yelling at people in another language does not help them to understand. I am willing to bet that you
have had more opportunities to learn a second language than the people here.
For most, English is their third.
14. Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Aware and please don’t be an asshole.
San Marcos has so much to offer. So explore, get involved, have conversations, ask questions and most of all be the change you want to see in the world. Your experience is up to you, so open your heart, expand your mind and connect.
Wishing everyone a safe, fun filled, inspirational journey.
