If there’s one place you simply must go during your time in Guatemala, it’s Lake Atitlan. This serene region is not only home to some of Guatemala’s most incredible natural beauty but one of the world’s best luxury eco-resorts. Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve is a unique escape that manages to blend the very best of premiere travel with second-to-none sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Waking up to the lively chorus of birds, panoramic views of the vast lake, hiking it’s winding trails, dining at the exquisite restaurant… Laguna is more than a resort, it’s a travel experience in and of itself.
First, how to get there.
How to get to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Panajachel is the main town on Lake Atitlan. Getting from Guatemala City to Panajachel (or Antigua to Panajachel) is very simple. Public speed boats run every 10-minutes from Panajachel to Laguna Lodge ($2-$3 per person). Laguna Lodge is only accessible by boat.
Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan
If you are just starting your trip you will probably fly into Guatemala City. Shuttles leave regularly from Guatemala City Airport to Panajachel however, most shuttles are not direct and stopover in Antigua. This makes the total travel time to the lake around 4.5 hours.
- Shuttle Services leave at 06:00, 11:00 and 02:30 pm and cost $25 p/p.
- There is a direct shuttle service that leaves at 02:30 pm and costs $35 p/p (min 3pax).
- A Private Service – can be scheduled at any time according to your needs. They cost between 120$ – 155$ and take around 3 hours. You can arrange one yourself outside the terminal, book through an agency at the airport or book directly through Laguna Lodge in advance.
Antigua to Lake Atitlan
If you have made your way overland from a neighboring country it’s likely you will be coming from Antigua. It’s extremely easy to get a shuttle bus to Lake Atitlan from Antigua. You can either book a shuttle through your hotel or get a ticket at any travel agency. The price is usually between 10$/70Q – 12$/85Q.
Getting to Laguna Lodge, Lake Atitlan
Unless you have organized a private taxi to another destination, the shuttle will drop you off in Panajachel. From Panajachel, it’s easy to catch a public boat to neighboring towns. Laguna Lodge is a short 10-min boat ride from Panajachel. You will easily find a public boat to take you there or simply contact Laguna Lodge in advance who will be able to organize a private transfer.
Where to stay on Lake Atitlan
There are several luxury hotels to choose from around Lake Atitlan, but none quite compare to Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort. Framed by two ominous volcanoes, rolling green hills and views of the winding shoreline – this oasis is heaven on earth.
So what makes Laguna Lodge the best place to stay on Lake Atitlan?
Sustainable Travel
I have never visited a hotel or resort so committed to integrating sustainable practices into every part of their operation. Laguna Lodge not only manages to be an industry leader in this regard, but no compromise is made on modern luxury amenities and services. Some examples of its eco-friendly practices:
- Solar-powered electricity, water and wifi.
- Natural gas stoves and dryers.
- Non-toxic biodegradable detergents and cleaning.
- Organic products provided in the bathroom.
- Protection of Laguna Lodge 100-acre Nature Reserve. Complimentary access for guests and all proceeds of the admission from other visitors are put back into the reserve for the maintenance of trails, limiting the spread of invasive species and training of nature guides.
- Rainwater collection.
- Exquisite vegetarian/vegan dining.
Incredible Staff
Laguna employees are what really make this resort so special. Leslie, Rosa, Benjamin and Francisco (to name a few) have the place running like clockwork and went out of their way to make us feel welcome during our stay. They were very attentive and extremely knowledgable. Even little things like noticing me working on my laptop and bringing over a glass and water jug – it’s this kind of attentive and proactive hospitality that made us feel VIP. I cannot speak more highly of how kind and professional Laguna Lodge staff are 🙂
As a side note: Laguna Lodge employs 100% indigenous Kaqchikel staff, and over 50% of staff are women! (A big tick for supporting local communities!)
Hotel with heart
Laguna Lodge is wholly committed to the wellbeing of Atitlan communities. Above and beyond hiring indigenous staff and tradespeople, Laguna has partnered with nearby towns to provide cultural tours that directly support the local economy as well as giving tourists an insight into indigenous culture. Laguna also runs a non-for-profit organization called Laguna Community Care that is doing incredible work such as:
- Providing funds to help impoverished families send their children to school.
- Helping locals who suffer from medical conditions access care, pain relief, and treatment.
- Sending meals to villages with elderly and ill.
- Interest-free loans for families after unforeseen sudden illness and deaths.
- You can read about more of their initiatives here.
Attention to detail
A key element of a luxury resort is the ambiance and Laguna’s design seamlessly integrates Mayan culture throughout the resort which gives each room a unique flair. All carvings, construction, wooden furnishings, intricate textiles weavings, and paintings at Laguna are all supplied by local communities. I particularly loved all the colourful textiles.
and last but not least…
The most Instagrammable spot on Lake Atitlan
I’m going to call it – Laguna Lodge has the most Instagrammable spot on Lake Atitlan. An infinity pool, framed by two volcanos, with a jetty for you to leap off… it doesn’t get much better than that.
Top things to do in Lake Atitlan
It might be tempting to just sunbathe on the deck and soak in the beauty of Laguna Lodge during your stay, but there are a few things I highly recommend you do (despite how enticing that infinity pool is!).
Kayaking on Lake Atitlan
Laguna Lodge has kayaks that you can use to see the lake from the water. Spoiler alert: the views are crazy. Head out in the morning to capture the smooth velvety water under the morning rays.
Hiking around Lake Atitlan
Laguna Lodge is located on and protects a 100-acre nature reserve. Doing the complete trail will take about 2-hours and along the way, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the volcanoes and lake. I highly recommend making your way to ‘Stop 14’, here they have built an incredible lookout (pictured below) where you can soak up the views from the comfort of hammocks.
Swimming Lake Atitlan
Can you swim in Lake Atitlan? Yes! Make sure to take advantage of the Laguna Lodge jetty for a refreshing dive to wake you up after breaky.
@suitcaseandiGoodmorning from Lake Atitlan 🇬🇹👋🏽 #LagunaLodge #tiktoktravel #foryoupage #luxury #travel #tiktokguatemala♬ One Thing Right – Marshmello & Kane Brown
Sunset at Lake Atitlan
Pink skies, every. single. night. It’s so incredibly dreamy.
Dining at Laguna Lodge
You’re going to have a hard time leaving Zotz at Laguna Lodge because the menu here is just divine. We actually left super inspired to try out new recipes because of the incredible food we tried. You can tell how much time and effort has gone into curating the menu! Top tip: do not skip out on dessert. The Key Lime Pie and Cheesecake are amazing and if you’re here for breakfast, I got the ‘French Toast with oat and coconut crust’ every morning. No french toast will ever compare again!
Book your stay at Laguna Lodge Lake Atitlan
I recommend spending at least 4 nights at Lake Atitlan to truly leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. You can find more information about Laguna Lodge and book directly through their website here.
- Love volcano views? Planning a luxury getaway in Central America? Why not check out The Springs Spa & Resort at Arenal
Any questions about Lake Atitlan or our stay a Laguna Lodge? Comment below 🙂