San Andrés on Lake Petén Itzá

San Andrés is the administrative seat of the municipality of the same name and lies on the shore of Lake Petén Itzá. This helps you distinguish the town from the broader travel interests of the municipality.

Festivals and religious traditions

The patron saint festival in honor of the Apostle Saint Andrew takes place in San Andrés every year from November 21 to 30. It includes religious, cultural, sporting, and social activities. If you would like to plan your trip around this occasion, check the specific dates locally. The period offers a guide for annual planning; the festival brings together several aspects of local life.

Another cultural example is the Xikinché and Totoposte Festival announced for 2025. Artistic and cultural performances described as representative of San Andrés, Petén, were planned for that edition. Unlike the annual patron saint festival, this information refers to a specific announced edition. The two occasions therefore offer different points of reference in time: a period that recurs every year and a festival associated with 2025.

The Misa Jurada is also part of the religious customs in the Municipality of San Andrés. It is observed there every year on February 18 and is intended to protect the population from epidemics. While the patron saint festival explicitly takes place in San Andrés, the Misa Jurada is a municipality-wide tradition. The February date thus adds another annually observed religious occasion to the November festival period.

Food and festival culture

For the Xikinché and Totoposte Festival announced for 2025, tastings of traditional Xikinché, Totopostes, and products made from them were planned. The plans at the time thus combined the cultural performances with a culinary component. If you are looking for a culinary event today, check the current event dates before your trip.

Beyond this festival edition, according to the municipal history, Bollitos and Tamales with Totoposte are among the traditional foods served in the Municipality of San Andrés during the celebrations of All Saints’ Day, Christmas, and New Year. These holidays link this culinary custom to different times of the year. Thus, alongside the tastings planned for the festival, some foods are associated with recurring holidays in the municipality.

Another example was the Festival Agrointegral y Gastronómico en Semana Santa, held in 2025. Locals and visitors were invited to enjoy the culinary offerings. Together with the tastings planned for the Xikinché and Totoposte Festival, this highlights the difference between two event-related activities: a planned tasting and an invitation to enjoy the festival’s gastronomic offerings.

Destinations in the Municipality of San Andrés

The municipality is home to El Mirador Archaeological Park, with Maya pyramids including La Danta and Del Tigre. This makes it a specific archaeological destination within the municipality. If you are planning a visit, check the current access requirements in advance.

The municipal history describes Macantún (Tapanco de Piedra) as a public beach managed and maintained by Eco-Escuela, near the administrative seat. The beach is therefore a different kind of point of interest from the archaeological park. If you are planning a visit, it is advisable to check the current conditions.

The Ruta Guacamaya is an ecotourism route in the municipality. The locations named along it include Centro Campesino, Arroyo Sacluc, Río San Pedro, Estación Biológica, Perú, Paso Caballos, Yalá, Peñón de Buena Vista, Corozal, and Cruce de Dos Aguadas. Another named place is Sacbaquecan, an interpretive trail maintained by Eco-Escuela students, located on the route to San Benito. These places offer different points of connection with nature, ecotourism, and interpretation. Check current access and trail conditions before visiting specific locations.

Discover more destinations: San José, Jobompiche, Santa Ana, Poptún, Laguna Yaxjá, San Benito, Boca del Monte, El Chal.

For the overview of the wider region: Petén.