Hotel San Francisco

A top-floor room is well worth asking for if one’s available. The lake and volcano views are incredible and panoramic, and the shared balcony has seating. The bed and room were very small, and the mattress was uncomfortable, but Wi-Fi worked surprisingly well inside and the hot water was great. Refillable water was available. There’s a kitchen downstairs that I think guests might be able to use, though the family often used it, and the downstairs area was quite messy and cluttered. Nearby, there are several mini markets and a tortilleria in the same laneway for a cheap meal. It’s on a hill about a 10-minute walk from the main tourist street, through winding alleyways. We stayed over semana santa. We were first quoted 150Q a night for a double room with private bathroom, but that went up to 240Q during the busy holiday period. A solid budget place if you want a simple, quiet room with lake views. Hotel Peneleu is right nearby too.

The room was clean and had what I needed, with an awesome balcony. The view was amazing, and the owner was lovely.

Hotel San Fransisco is an older San Pedro hotel with a distinctive handmade style. It’s a very relaxed spot away from the lakeside bar scene, on a narrow street with beautiful murals. Francisco and his son were very nice, and the simple rooms have Wi-Fi and hot water. Most have one or two beds instead of dorm setups, so it’s easy to get a good night’s sleep. A tuk-tuk is easy to hire if you’d rather ride up the hill.

It was the cheapest place I stayed in Guatemala, so I can’t complain much. We were short a few essentials in the room, but they brought them promptly when we asked. The staff were friendly, and the lake view was fantastic.