The official language of Guatemala is Spanish but twenty-one Mayan languages are spoken, especially in rural areas. In Santa Cruz, the local dialect is Kaq’chikel. It is distinct from Spanish and is most local’s first language. Most locals do not speak English and will appreciate if you try to speak Spanish; learning a few key phrases and some basic Spanish will help you immensely in your travels.
In general, Santa Cruz La Laguna is considered a very safe municipality on Lake Atitlán. As with any foreign country, safety conditions can change and it is best to exercise common sense and respect all local laws. Ask with your hotel/accommodation if you have any questions or for further safety advice.
Valid passports are required, except for citizens of Central American countries. Visitors from countries outside of Central America are generally given a visa when entering Guatemala (for a maximum of 90 days) but check with your embassy before travelling.
As with any and all traveling outside of your home country, exercise common sense and respect all local laws. If you have any urgent questions or emergencies please contact your embassy.
The climate in the Central and Western Highlands is generally mild. It can get cool at night even in the summers, especially at higher altitudes. The months of March and April are very hot especially in the low lying areas such as the Pacific coastal plain. Generally, the rainy season is May through October and the dry season runs from November to April, but this can change from year to year. It’s recommended not to trust meteorology apps and such as they are generally incorrect. Ask at your hotel/accommodation if you want local weather tips.
The local currency is the Quetzal (plural: Quetzales), and the Quetzal is also the national bird. This is symbolized internationally by GTQ (and just Q locally) being placed before the amount.
US dollars are highly regarded and can be exchanged in some banks and currency exchange stores. If you are paying in US dollars rather than Quetzales, however, you are likely paying a higher price. ATMs (cajero in spanish) can be found in the major towns but do not expect to find them in every tourist spot. Currently, there is only one ATM in the municipality of Santa Cruz in the nonprofit “CECAP” (See-Cap) Building in Santa Cruz village. It is fairly easy to find yourself in a town without an ATM or a place to change money.
Credit cards are accepted at many locations, but it is recommended to check with hotels/restaurants ahead of time to avoid issues.
Regular public lanchas (small boats), provide transport from village to village around and across the lake. Some lanchas have a regular schedule, some will go as soon as they accumulate enough passengers, and others are for private hire. There is no official schedule, but in general, public lanchas leave Panajachel for San Pedro via Santa Cruz & San Marcos (as well as other smaller docks) every 20-30 minutes.
Santa Cruz – San Pedro: roughly every 20/30 minutes 6:30am – 7:30pm
Santa Cruz – Panajachel: roughly every 20/30 minutes 6:30am – 5:30pm
The last boat from San Pedro to this side of the lake leaves around 5pm. Keep this in mind when visiting San Pedro, San Juan, San Marcos, Tzununa and Jaibalito.
The last scheduled boat from Panajachel leaves around 7pm. It is best to be early and avoid having to take a more expensive private boat.
© 2019 Amigos de Santa Cruz.