Here’s a guide to what you can do during Holy Week in San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. It’ll help you plan your trip to enjoy Holy Week in San Pedro—a 7-day itinerary designed for fun and savings, since all the activities are free. It’s a great time to visit San Pedro to experience its traditions and enjoy its natural beauty in pleasant weather; although it rarely rains, any rain that does fall is minimal.
Quick Answers About Semana Santa in San Pedro La Laguna
Will the boats be running during Holy Week? If you’re planning to travel by boat from Panajachel to San Pedro La Laguna or from another town on the shores of Lake Atitlán, let me assure you that they will be running. Since that week is peak season for them, they operate all week without exceptions, though the schedule may vary—the last boat might leave around 6: 00 p.m. As for prices, here’s an article where we mention the approximate fare—keep in mind that since it’s Holy Week, they may charge a little more.
Do the buses run during Holy Week? They usually only operate four days a week—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—and again starting Sunday, so I’d recommend keeping this in mind if you plan to use public transportation. Alternatively, there are travel agencies that do operate almost the entire week.
Will there be parties? If you’re looking for parties, let me tell you that YES, there are parties in San Pedro’s lively district. There are bars with live music, DJs, local bands playing, and more—so don’t hesitate to go; you’ll meet people from all over the world. We recommend Bar Sublime, where lots of people gather to enjoy the music.
What’s the atmosphere like? It’s a true celebration—with religious activities and the special touch visitors bring—creating a pleasant, even family-friendly atmosphere.
Is it safe to walk at night in San Pedro? San Pedro is a quiet place where you can walk around during Holy Week without any problems. There have been no reported cases of muggings, even among people who are intoxicated; it’s a safe place to walk.
Will the Spanish schools be open? Most are open 3 to 4 days during Holy Week, but it’s important to check with your school. They’re typically open Monday through Wednesday or Thursday, since Thursday in San Pedro is an important day when the carpets are displayed—we’ll tell you more about that later in this article.
Semana Santa Activities Day by Day
Here are the activities that take place during Holy Week in San Pedro la Laguna on Lake Atitlán, so you can see what people do each day to make the most of it.
It begins on Ash Wednesday, 40 days before Holy Week: On this day, all members of the Catholic faith and students at Catholic schools go to church to have a black cross marked on their foreheads. It’s a tradition you can witness as a tourist; the date changes each year.
Stations of the Cross:
This takes place every Friday and consists of 14 stations throughout the town, where passages from the Bible are read and participants meditate on Jesus’ suffering, his death, when he fell from the cross, when he met his mother, when he fell while carrying the cross, when Jesus was helped by Simon of Cyrene, and so on.
The last Friday of Holy Week is the final day this ritual is observed.
Holy Tuesday (Martes Santo): People receive the fruit and gather at the Catholic church’s convent to prepare it so they can take it out into the streets the next day. It’s an event where you can watch men and women working at the convent, and you’re welcome to go inside and observe.
Holy Wednesday (Miercoles Santo): A notable activity takes place when men and women take to the streets carrying the fruit, dressed in a uniform; in the afternoon, the men set up arches, decorating the streets with the fruit.
Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo): On Thursday morning, the first procession takes place, led by children carrying the image of Jesus of Nazareth, the Virgin Mary, and the cross, accompanied by the sound of rattles signaling the approach of the procession.
Later that night, another procession of adults sets out, once again carrying Jesus of Nazareth, the Virgin Mary, and the cross; however, this procession is much longer, as it involves a large number of people, takes approximately 4 hours to complete, and winds through the main streets of the entire town of San Pedro.
On the same day, Thursday, at 11:00 p.m.—or when the procession of adults enters the church after traveling through the main streets of San Pedro—people begin laying out carpets in the streets featuring eye-catching designs related to Holy Week, and they typically work until 7:00 a.m. on Friday.
Good Friday (Viernes Santo): There is a very long nighttime procession that begins at 7:00 p.m. and winds through all the streets, where you can enjoy each tradition. Every year is different, but it always evokes the same feeling that makes you love San Pedro.