The Hippie Hole High Priest of Café No Sé
John Rexer is the man behind the hippie hole known in La Antigua Guatemala as Café No Sé (I don’t know cafe), Y tu piña también Café, Dislexia Bookstore, La Cuadra Magazine, among others.
John Rexer, New Yorker by birth, Mexican by heart and Antigüeño by choice, came to La Antigua Guatemala a few years ago and after surfing the local scene, he realized a joint was needed for backpackers, hippies, ex-pats and others looking for the other side, the flip side, of LAG. A sort of bohemian atmosphere where people were free to express their artistic vein, or simply to relax while eating the local variant of Tex-Mex food or drinking cheap beers or his own Ilegal Mezcal brand (the generic name for Tequila-like agave distills).
Now, after several years in this colonial town, his plans to take over the whole block of 1a avenida sur are actually working and working very well, I may add. It takes a ‘real’ hippie to make the best entrepreneur; at least in La Antigua Guatemala. ![]()

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February 6th, 2008
Gosh. Another gorgeous man. Great shot.
February 7th, 2008
Is he single? — j/k.
but he is hot.
February 7th, 2008
After spending an afternon with John and Jeremy, I can honestly say he is a genuine, nice guy. Caution: He likes to pour his Ilegal Mescal, be careful.
February 7th, 2008
Nice pic of John. I missed visiting with him in Nov. because he was out of town. See if you can convince him to put his magazine online!
February 8th, 2008
Necessity or not, we N.Am. could learn a LOT from the ingenious folks in your town & country! I know that every time I return from there, I examine a bit more of my life and change a few more of my ways to be less extravagent/wasteful, and challenge myself to ‘do with less.’ “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” - it’s inspiring to be around people who live this every day, and usually WITHOUT complaint!
February 11th, 2008
[...] is the façade of Café No Sé in La Antigua Guatemala, headquarters of the John Rexer’s 1a avenida sur empire. His efforts to take control over the whole 1a avenida sur (1st [...]
February 11th, 2008
Lessie, you bad girl!
Sandra, come on, you know better!
Steve, yes indeed, John is such a good fella.
Donald, he was probably smuggling his ilegal mezcal.
MaggieD, thanks for you wonderful feedback. I am glad to to know that you think this way.
February 14th, 2008
how do i get there? a lot of people here in the city talks about the “Cafe Nose” but no one can tell how to get there =\
February 16th, 2008
When you take over the block, I’m throwing the block party! Well done Juan! Nothing is better than Cafe No Se, except maybe the owner. The best man in the whole world owns the joint, next to my dad and husband!
February 16th, 2008
Juan is the greatest guy ever!!! I will join in also with the block party celebration! Cheers to John and Cafe No Se!
February 16th, 2008
JPR- you are too cool, love the pic. Can’t wait to come back. xoxo Ronan’s mom
February 18th, 2008
Congrats, Juan Pistolas ! You’re you. love always, Ann
February 19th, 2008
Add me to the list for the block party.
Cafe No Se and all ventures on the block are uniquely special because of your vision, energy and spirit.
Congratulations John!
April 8th, 2008
what’s with all the family shouting out? where are Johnny’s friends saying what a great guy he is? well he is.
well done, sir, and many kisses.
April 14th, 2008
John sort of took me in when I was despondent over having to return to the U.S. to be a lawyer again in 2003. I just visited him with my boyfriend this past week, and the place is better than ever (what happened to Petra and the nutella crepes though?) Suggestion: put those awesome shirts on Cafe Press http://www.cafepress.com/
April 17th, 2008
I am leaving San Diego for Antigua next month. I would like to take a gift to John for No Sé but I don’t have his E-mail address to ask him what he needs. Can You help? mbwilson@cox.net
April 17th, 2008
I can’t…isn’t that funny? I left him my contact, but I didn’t ask for his.
May 7th, 2008
WOW !!! Chillin in New Mexico suckin on some Ilegal Mezcal I got at No Se’. Good Stuff!! I’ll be getting some more for sure. Good Fun! We loved Willie Murphy!