News from San Pedro, Lake Atitlan
News and local events in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan, are the focus of this page. You will also find new schedules for San Pedro Happy Hours and Movies, news about Spanish-language schools, things to do and what's new in San Pedro, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
February, 2010
Bistro Nuevo Sol is doing a garage sale from 9 AM-Noon on Saturdays.
El Barrio is proud to announce that the “Dog of the Month” for San Pedro and Xela is Pancho. Maya day sign: 1 Oc .
Buddha Bar now lets you you use PayPal, VISA and Master Card to withdraw quetzales or get Buddha Bucks to spend there. Check with the bar for details.
Lots of changes at Freedom Bar: See News from Freedom Bar.
January, 2010
Kayaking is back in vogue, since the algae bloom retreated and the lake turned a brilliant blue again. We've also seen scuba divers in the water off Santa Cruz.
Fata Morgana started serving pasta again, featuring a gourmet Italian chef, Alfredo. Also tiramisu, a luscious pastry. We'll post review soon.
La Piscina now has Thirsty Thursday, which means you get a free beer or drink with Q20 entry to the pool. Lots of changes at Freedom Bar, which now shows movies and has new meals such as the Mystic Pizza.
The 2009 Dog of the Year for San Pedro and Xela was Vicki.
December, 2009
The rooftop Buddha pizza oven is being taken down in a new remodeling project. Jake will return to the house band there next month.
September, 2009
Smokin' Joe's BBQ provides food, and Boccie Ball is the game played under a big, new awning. 
Gypsy's just opened in the zona viva, selling used clothes and jewelry. En Vivo, the live music club, now serves steak dinners.
Freedom Bar's new restaurant specializes in vegetarian meals and other budget food. Another change is the Q5 shots, all day and night.
August, 2009: Zuvuya Books Reopens
Zuvuya’s grand reopening wine and cheese party with flea market will be August 7 from 2-4 PM.
Dog of the Month
El Barrio is proud to announce that San Pedro’s “Dog of the Month” for August is Vicky from Hotel Mikaso.
New at Freedom Bar
The biggest dance club in town, Freedom recently remodeled theinterior and upgraded the smoke and light show with projector visuals on a big screen.
July 2009: New Club in Zona Viva
En Vivo, across from Fata Morgana, opened this month, featurig live music most nights.
June 2009: Happy Birthday, San Pedro
The feriado takes place the last week of June Big day is the 25th. Don't miss the parades and fireworks.
Dog of the Month
El Barrio is proud to announce that Pancho is San Pedro's “Dog of the Month” for June.
May 2009: The Boys are Back in Town
Jake and Brent are back at Buddha for awhile, so don’t miss the latest incarnation of the Blues Revolution band.
April 2009: News from Fata Morgana
The Italian restaurant in the zona viva, Fata Morgana, is under new management. Cody and Andrew were extensively trained by Fata’s founders in coffee roasting, bread making and other facets of the kitchen.
They have added mocaccino (made with their home-made chocolate), carrot juice and shots of ginger juice. Smoothies and fruit salads are coming soon. Quality remains high, and the service attentive and friendly.
Dog of the Month
El Barrio is proud to announce that Coco is “Dog of the Month” for May.
Restaurante La Playa Opens
Near the Santiago Dock, Restaurante La Playa held its grand opening in March with Smokin' Joe's BBQ.
March 2009: El Paraiso, the new restaurant near Phatburger on the main trail, is having a St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 17. La Piscina has a new library and bakery.
Chile’s Restaurant moved down the street from Freedom and has a big deck overlooking the lake. Get a free drink or coffee with your meal (see flyer).
Dog of the Month
El Barrio is proud to announce that Leo is “Dog of the Month” for March.
New Shuttles
Casa Verde Tours now has a 1 PM shuttle to Antigua as well as one leaving at 9 AM, and new return service at 4 PM as well as 2 PM. (These are temporarily suspended until June, 2009.) Casa Verde Tours also offers daily service to Xela, Copan (Honduras), Lanquin And Tecun Uman at 9 AM.
Plus Casa Verde has a big, comfortable bus and a San Pedro new office across from D’Noz and one on San Marcos. You can also buy tickets at Atitlan Adventures on 7th Avenue.
February 2009: No more flyers in the zona viva. The muni is taking down all outdoor flyers in that part of town.
La Piscina now serves chili, nachos and other food full-time. Fata Morgana’s new hours are 8 AM-2 PM. El Barrio Bar is proud to announce Oso is Dog of the Month for February El Picasso closed in January.
Congratulations to Matt and Jennifer, who were married in December.
January, 2009: Boccie ball fever is sweeping San Pedro. At La Piscina, entry is free and the winner gets a bottle of rum.
Smokin' Joe's BBQ will soon offer horseshoes during the barbeque, which will be at Nuevo Sol on the 11th, La Piscina on the 18th and el Barrio on the 25th of January. Winner gets a free BBQ dinner; second place, a liter of beer.
Newest restaurant in town is Ventana Azul, featuring Asian and Guatemalan cuisine in a cozy setting on 7th Avenue.
Restaurante El Picasso is closing its doors the last week of January.
Where to Stay
Budget: San Francisco, Colibri, Peneleu.
Mid-range: Gran Sueno, Casa Lola.
High end: Hotel Mikaso.
Where to Eat
Fata Morgana: Sandwiches, pizza, focaccia. Chile’s: Veggie Crepes, Thai, Italian. el Barrio: Chicken Club Sandwich. Buddha: Pork Tenderloin. Ventana Blue: Cashew Chicken, Jocom.
Flor del Cafe: Hamburgers, quesadillas. La Niez: Churrascos. El Paraiso: Stuffed Chicken, Irish Stew. Nuevo Sol: Meatloaf, Gourmet Pizza.
Where to Party
Live Music or DJs at : Buddha Bar, el Barrio, Freedom Bar
Swimming Pool, Boccie Ball: La Piscina
Tours and Shuttles
Casa Verde in the Zone, Atitlan Adventures on 7th Avenue.
Money
See map for bank and ATMs. The bank will cash traveler’s checks and handle Western Union and MoneyGrams.
Internet
Customers get free Wi-Fi at Buddha, el Picasso, Hotel Mikaso, and D’Noz. Ideas Connection has the top Internet on 7th Avenue.
Books, Music, Movie and Game Rentals
Zuvuya Books carries an eclectic selection of books, music, videos. Ideas Connections rents movies and games, or you can play them there. See Tony on the trail to Mikaso for popular fiction.
Movies in San Pedro
Bistro Nuevo Sol, Mon.-Sat., 7:30
Buddha Bar: Viewers’ Choice on Mon. and Tue. at 7:30, Double Feature Sunday.
D’Noz: Mon.-Sat., 8:30
Hotel Mikaso: Wed. and Sun., 8 PM. Spanish with English subtitles
Zuvuya Books: Wed.-Sun. 1:30, Q10