Kayaking in Guatemala, going on a safari in Tanzania, scavenger hunting in Shanghai—Who says vacations are for resting?

Guatemala’s Bohemian Rhapsody
By Jessica Jones

Cold water splashed onto my face as our speedboat accelerated across Guatemala’s ancient Lake Atitlán. I was headed to San Pedro—a small village that is home to both indigenous Tzutujil Mayans and bohemians who came for a visit and decided not to leave. It was rumored that San Pedro was a place to party and that it offered everything from yoga studios to solar pools at a very cheap price. It all sounded too good to be true. I was on a mission to find out.

As my friend and I stepped onto the dock, a short, dark-haired local guy with a tan approached us. His name was Moses, and he was an official San Pedro tour guide. “You need hotel?” he asked, as he flipped through photos of a hostel in a picture album. They looked good enough to us, since we hadn’t made any hotel reservations before our trip.
 
We followed Moses to the hostel. I felt like a big kid in a tropical playground. Cobblestones and dirt roads accounted for most of San Pedro’s winding streets. Beautiful hotels and cute restaurants flourished. Up to the left, next to the lake, was a huge coffee farm. Scattered throughout the village were numerous Spanish schools, where tourists paid little for daily lessons. As we continued on our walk, I asked Moses what he thought of this place. “Paraíso,” he replied. Paradise.

After we arrived at the hostel, Moses assured us that hot springs, kayaking, and horseback riding were all affordably at our fingertips. That night, the Mayan tour guide led us to one of the thermal pools, where my friend and I soaked in a private, crystal-clear tub for an hour. The price? $2.50. The next morning, he brought us horses. The glaring sun kissed our skin as we galloped through the outskirts of San Pedro. The bill was $5 an hour. After our horseback adventure, we paddled to our hearts content in kayaks out on Lake Atitlán. That ran us $2 each.

On my last day in San Pedro, as I boarded the speedboat, I watched as people relished in the sunlight while enjoying their lunches at restaurants near the dock. Moses was right, I thought. This place is paradise.

If you go …
Getting there: Speedboats to San Pedro depart from Panajachel, Guatemala, about every half hour. Boatmen charge around Q15 ($2) for a one-way trip.  
Where to stay: Hotel Peneleu (+502.5925.0583).
Cost: About $2.50 a night. No credit cards are accepted.
Smart tip: To ensure the best deal, tourists should pay in Quetzales, the local Guatemalan currency.