We recently visited one of our favorite places in Central America, Lake Atitlan, and the only downside was that the visit was too short this time. We spent a couple of nights at the newest resort on the lake, the lovely Kula Maya, then traveled by boat to one we hadn’t been inside of for many years: Laguna Lodge.
We shot some video in each place, so come along for some Luxury Latin America tours of two outstanding Lake Atitlan hotels you should consider when you are heading that way. Pick one of these sure bets and avoid a sub-par experience.
If you have trouble relaxing on the shores of Lake Atitlan, you might just need to stay longer. Or if you need a little coaching, the town of San Marcos where Kula Maya is located could fill your day with yoga, Pilates, meditation, breathing exercises, or whatever else will get your heart rate down. The internet speeds are pretty lousy around these parts anyway, so put away the phone and soak up the surroundings instead.
Here’s what you’ll find in each hotel we’ve profiled, two of the best four places you could stay on Lago de Atitlan.
Kula Maya in San Marcos
This resort was coming up on its first birthday when we walked through the doorway and it’s a gorgeous spot near the San Marcos dock. It’s tempting to stay put here and enjoy the mesmerizing views that change throughout the day. You can hang out poolside, visit the spa, or enjoy the vista from your balcony.
They only serve breakfast and dispense drinks from the bar, however, so you’ll have to head out for lunch and dinner anyway. You’ll be in heaven if you’re a health-conscious vegetarian in this town, but there are other places to choose from too, including two steps away that serve beer and have a lake view.
Come check out our video tour of Kula Maya on the shore of Lake Atitlan:
See our detailed review of Kula Maya here on the online magazine site.
Laguna Lodge Eco Hotel
Long before any of its competitors showed up, the pioneers who built Laguna Lodge staked out a spot as soon as the fighting stopped and Guatemala began its road to peace. They did it with care and a love for the environment though, using natural materials, planting a garden, and employing locals who lived within walking distance to run the place too.
All these years later, as it has gotten more trendy and less expensive to run on renewable energy, Laguna Lodge still stands out as the most eco-friendly hotel in the country, that ethos impacting all aspects of its operation. Proving that a “green hotel” can still be a pampering and comfortable space, however, this is one of the best spots on the lake to kick back in a comfy chair with a drink and soak in the views.
Come take a look around and see what we mean:
While there are hundreds of Lake Atitlan hotels to choose from, you’d have a tough time finding one with such a strong attention to detail, from the choices of every material used on site to the antiques on display to the local textiles used in the bedding and pillows. Laguna Lodge is brimming with character and it envelops you in its welcoming warmth.
See our detailed review of Laguna Lodge on Lake Atitlan here.
If you’re headed to other parts of the country as well, see our detailed first-person reviews of the best luxury hotels in Guatemala, from the Capital City to Antigua and beyond.
Then make sure your Priority Pass membership is up to date and leave some extra time at the airport to visit the Casa de Ron Airport Lounge for a Zacapa and Botran tasting.
Article by Timothy
Timothy Scott is the founder and editor of Luxury Latin America and has been covering the region as a travel journalist since the mid-2000s. He has visited each country we cover multiple times and is based in a UNESCO World Heritage city in central Mexico, where he owns a home. See contact information here.
