By the Best Mountain Hotels editorial team ·
Laguna Lodge is a small eco-resort on the shore of Lake Atitlán that can be reached only by boat. With just six suites, a lakeside infinity pool, a private nature reserve of protected forest and an all-vegetarian restaurant, it offers a peaceful, sustainable way to enjoy one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, with the three volcanoes rising across the water.
Laguna Lodge is a small eco-resort on the shore of Lake Atitlán that can be reached only by boat. With just six suites, a lakeside infinity pool, a private nature reserve of protected forest and an all-vegetarian restaurant, it offers a peaceful, sustainable way to enjoy one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, with the three volcanoes rising across the water.
Location: Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
The lodge is near Santa Cruz La Laguna, on the lake's northern shore, a ten-minute boat ride from Panajachel, with free transfers on request. Behind it lies one of the last areas of protected primary forest around the lake.
The lake lies in a vast volcanic caldera at around 1,560 metres, framed by the cones of San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán, with a dozen Maya villages scattered along its shores. There are almost no roads between many of the villages, so boats are the main way to get around, and Santa Cruz La Laguna, near the lodge, is one of the quietest and most traditional. Panajachel, the lake's main town, is reached by road from Antigua in around two and a half hours.
From the lodge, boats can take you to San Juan La Laguna, known for its women's weaving cooperatives and natural dyes, to Santiago Atitlán, with its traditions and colourful market, and to San Marcos, a centre for yoga and meditation. Hikers can climb San Pedro volcano or walk the shoreline trail between villages, and the Thursday and Sunday market at Chichicastenango is within reach on a day trip.
Suites at Laguna Lodge
There are six suites, each with a balcony and a view across the lake to San Pedro, Atitlán and Tolimán volcanoes, known locally as the 'Three Giants'. Interiors feature hand-carved wooden furniture, hand-sewn textiles and local crafts, beneath a thatched roof inspired by traditional architecture.
The lodge is small and personal, with staff who know the lake well and can arrange boat trips, hikes and village visits. Its private nature reserve has trails through the forest, where hummingbirds and other birds are easy to spot.
Facilities at Laguna Lodge
The lakeside infinity pool, with a deck over the water, is the place to watch the volcanoes at sunset. There are massages, and Zotz restaurant serves breakfast and a four-course vegetarian dinner, included in the stay; it is the only exclusively vegetarian hotel restaurant on the lake. The lodge runs on solar power and carefully monitors its energy and water use, and guided walks explore its nature reserve.
The mountain moment
The Laguna Lodge moment is sitting on your balcony at dawn, the lake perfectly still and silver, as the first light touches the summits of the three volcanoes and the fishermen's canoes glide out across the water.
In the afternoon, a kayak trip along the shore to the nearby villages, past fishermen and women washing clothes at the water's edge, offers a glimpse of everyday Maya life around the lake.
Why Laguna Lodge is one of the best mountain hotels
Laguna Lodge earns its place for its setting, intimacy and sustainability. Reached only by boat, with views of the volcanoes from every suite, it is a peaceful, characterful retreat at a fair price. It is small and simple compared with luxury hotels, and the vegetarian menu will not suit everyone. But for nature lovers, it is a delight.
For Guatemala's most elegant hotel, see Casa Palopó.
Three or four nights is ideal to enjoy the lodge, its reserve and several villages by boat. Bring warm layers, as evenings on the lake are cool, and pack light, as luggage travels by boat. Many visitors combine the lake with Antigua and with Tikal, the great Maya city in the jungle of northern Guatemala.
When to go to Laguna Lodge
November to April is the dry season, with sunny days and clear volcano views. May to October brings afternoon rain and greener hillsides. Mornings are calmest on the lake, while afternoon winds can make boat crossings choppy, so plan travel early in the day.
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Questions, answered
- How do you get to Laguna Lodge?
- Only by boat: around ten minutes from Panajachel, with free transfers on request.
- How many suites does Laguna Lodge have?
- Six, each with a balcony and lake view.
- Does Laguna Lodge have a pool?
- Yes, a lakeside infinity pool with a deck over the water.
- Is the food at Laguna Lodge vegetarian?
- Yes. Zotz restaurant is entirely vegetarian, with breakfast and dinner included.
