Nestled into a green, high-cliff bay on a lake overlooking volcanoes, is the beautiful La Fortuna Atitlan. Its striking, thatched roofs and over-water decking make it a dreamy getaway for the eco-conscious traveler. Find out what makes this boutique destination the “Number 1 Best Small Hotel in Central America” and why we believe it is one of the best hotels in the world.
Note: This is not La Fortuna Hotel at Fort Lauderdale Beach, United States, or Costa Rica.
Table of Contents
What is La Fortuna Atitlan?
There are 5 unique, luxury bungalows on the property. With hand-carved wooden details and 24-hour reception service, you could stay up all night gazing over the extraordinary details of this property.
The daily supply of fresh fruit (from the property garden) and provided bathrobes is a winning combination for a healthy relax.
Tucked into the property’s jungle, each room has a separate feel with a real sense of seclusion. Walking around the property on the stone-paved path you can’t help but feel in a state of zen
A Luxury Homely Feel
From the moment you arrive, three friendly dogs with wagging tails are happy to see you. Whether you want to toss their ball around the garden, have them join you for a walk, or leave you be, the property’s pups give the place a real homely touch.
The owners Katharine and Steve come down to join the guests for a glass of wine in the afternoon (around the wood-fired hot tub) and exchange stories of their travels and inspirations for the La Fortuna Atitlan design.
A Tropical Flare
While you are sitting on a hand-carved wooden chair overlooking some of the most iconic views in Central America, you can’t help but feel the influence of South East Asia around you.
Steve’s travels through Indonesia is where the dream of La Fortuna Hotel Atitlan came to fruition. The result is a liveable piece of bamboo art on a beautiful lake, surrounded by volcanoes.
Where is La Fortuna Atitlan?
Situated in a private bay on the Northern side of Lake Atitlán (Lago Atitlan), Guatemala the hotel is accessible only by boat. There are small public speed boats that run around the lakeshore every 10 minutes, so it’s easy to get one.
Panajachel is the main town on the Lake and where you will arrive coming from Guatemala City or Antigua. From the Panajachel ferry dock, it’s a 5-minute boat ride.
Locality
- La Aurora International Airport – 3.5 Hours (the hotel can arrange to pick up from the airport for USD$100 for a private car)
- Antigua – 3 hours (take the Tourist Shuttle for USD$40 per person)
- Panajachel – 5 minute boat ride on a public speed boat for 10 Quetzal per person
- Santa Cruz – 2 minute boat ride on a public speed boat for 10 Quetzal per person
The Rooms at La Fortuna Atitlan
There is consistency in the style between the rooms and the main building/restaurant. One of the most eye-catching features are the walls made from up-cycled wine/liquor bottles (collected from other hotels around the lake).
There is, however, no standard room design. Each of the 5 bungalows are unique, however, they are split into three categories:
- Petite Bungalows
- Suites
- Master Suite
Master Deluxe Suite
With a private infinity pool overlooking the lake and volcano, and a bathroom/bathtub that opens up to the lake atitlán view, this suite is the ultimate in eco-luxury.
The Master Deluxe Suite is a two-story building with an upstairs and downstairs deck and an amazing king-sized bed. There’s a wall made out of upcycled glass bottles, beautiful wooden features, and a bathtub with a view!
La Fortuna Suites
The La Fortuna Suites are two-story bungalows (loft with a couch, coffee table, and a view upstairs). They feature outdoor bathrooms with gardens and rock finishes.
Eco Bungalow 1 features a lake view, and Eco bungalow 2 is set back in a coffee field.
Petite Bungalows
These bungalows are tucked into the lush gardens and are the most private of the rooms. The outdoor bathrooms have a high bamboo fence and feel very much “outdoors” with lush gardens and rock finishing. They feature a double bed and a single bunk.
About Your Stay at La Fortuna Atitlan
The hotel looks beautiful from all angles, but the best is when arriving by boat. You really get a sense of the design. After a warm greeting from the resident dogs, make your way up to the main building/restaurant.
The hand-carved stone walls tie into up-cycled wine bottle walls. Bamboo and thatched roofs are overhead and all the while the volcano sits in view.
A tropical juice will be served by the staff as you proceed with the check-in process. Arriving early was not an issue. We wandered through the lush property and played fetch with the Labrador “Sanza”. The staff speak English well and are more than willing to answer any questions you have about the hotel.
The Staff
The friendly, local staff are always on-site and willing to assist (with 24-hour reception service). There’s always a good English speaker on site (apart from the owners).
The hotel is very much about experience customization. So if you want to be served meals in your room or on one of the beautiful lakeside decks, the staff are more than happy to bring it over and set up the tables for you too.
Hotel Ammenities
- 5 Unique Bungalows
- Restaurant/Bar
- Wood Fire Hot Tub
- Overwater Deck and Seating Areas
- Free Water-sports use – Kayaks, Stand Up Paddle Boards
- Pet Friendly (one dog at a time – if they are good with other dogs)
Hotel Restaurant
The restaurant at La Fortuna Hotel is an intimate place. It’s very much the central hub of the property, connecting guests to together (normally around the hot tub).
- There are two food options daily for dinner (changed daily), a vegetarian option and a meat option
- Breakfast is served to the room
- Guests pick their preferred dinner seating time (between 6 and 8 pm)
- Guests usually congregate for an afternoon drink before dinner, however, if you would like you can also have dinner served to your room
- There is no set lunchtime. Snacks can be ordered through the day (and delivered to your room)
- Overall, the food is of very high quality and very recommendable.
Things To Do At La Fortuna Atitlan
Walk to the Mountain Top for Views
- A walking trail takes you through the back of the property up the mountain, where there are amazing views of Lake Atitlan and La Fortuna hotel
- See the shade-grown coffee and vegetables growing on site
- Be sure to take Sanza the Labrador with you
Swim in the Master Suite Pool
- If you’re staying in the master suite, you have the beautiful infinity pool
- Filled with lake water (changed upon new guest arrival)
Sit in the Hot Tub
- Every afternoon from 4 PM the local staff fire up the wood-fired hot tub
- It’s a great meeting point for the hotel guests and feels amazing
- They add new lake water to the tub each day
Kayak/Paddle Board
- The staff will arrange the gear for you and bring it down to the water
- The mornings on the lake are usually quite calm (afternoons can get choppy with the wind picking up)
- Follow the cliff face around to Santa Cruz to see some pristine vegetation and double volcano views
Swim in the lake
- The water in the La Fortuna bay is clean and very refreshing
- There is some seaweed growing around the center of the bay in waist-deep water, but it’s easy to avoid
Get a Massage
- A masseuse is available on request
- You can either have the massage in the upstairs room in the main building, or she can set up in your room
- It’s $USD40 for an hour and one of the best you’ll ever have
Hangout on the Deck
- There are a few deck chairs available for relaxing. Here you can admire the San Pedro, Atitlán, and Toliman volcanoes
- Two thatched roof open pagodas provide shade for those who want to escape the sun but keep the volcano views
La Fortuna Atitlan Sustainable Practices
There are a few key ways that sustainable hotels and eco resorts can interact with their working environment:
- Accommodation and you (the guest)
- The community
- Surrounding environment
Here’s how La Fortuna Atitlan is addressing the above mentioned.
Your Experience (Guests)
- Signage in the rooms is subtle. But it’s there. They have a reusable bag that you can use (and take with you) to avoid using plastic. There is a sign in the bathroom to reduce your water usage as much as possible.
- The friendly and knowledgeable staff at La Fortuna Hotel are very easy to get on with and accomodating
- Clean and comfortable. As far as eco-luxury goes it doesn’t get much more comfortable than this.
The Community
- Hiring local staff and using local tradespeople and materials help to positively impact the local community
- Collaborate with neighbors in Santa Cruz to do a beach clean-up twice a year
The Environment
For such a small hotel, La Fortuna has a big, green push. The owners (Katharine) background in the environmental sector has been the driving force behind the property’s sustainable practices.
They recently passed the biodiversity check by the La Biodiversity Partnership Mesoamérica (BPM). Some of their environmental practices include:
- On-site composting for more than 80% of waste
- Recycling separation and storage for transport to the recycling center 3 times per year
- No chemicals are used to clean the hot tub or pool (refilled daily from the lake and the old water is used on the garden)
- 100% solar-powered property off the grid
- No plastic water bottles sold on site. Filtered water refilling stations provided
- A lot of their fruit and vegetables and all of the coffee is grown on-site
- Toiletries provided are organic and locally made
- No TV’s, fridges, hairdryers on site, air conditioning, with only LED light bulbs to reduce energy use. Dinner in the restaurant is candlelit.
- Building materials used are locally grown bamboo and up-cycled wine bottles
- On-site biodigesters breakdown waste to prevent contamination of the lake
Hotel Awards and Certifications
The small, eco hotel has already been awarded some pretty amazing certifications.
La Fortuna Hotel Awards include:
- Platinum status as a Green Leader
- TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice
- #8 Best Small Hotel in the World
- #15 Most Romantic Hotel in the World
The reviews are all quite exceptional. It’s easy to see why La Fortuna at Atitlan has ranked so highly on so many different levels. You can find more information about the property on the La Fortuna Atitlan Instagram page.
Pros and Cons of La Fortuna Hotel
Pros:
- Eco-luxury at its best. The architecture, the food, the views, the bed!
- Iconic volcano views (from the master suite and the hotel grounds)
- Good wifi on the property
- Friendly staff (many of which speak English)
- Direct water access to the lake
- Great value for money
Cons:
- Lake views from only two of the 5 bungalows. The other bungalows are set back in the jungle, but they are cheaper
- It is a nano hotel. So there aren’t the big amenities you might find in a hotel chain (gym, spa, lap pool)
What to Pack
- Reusable water bottle – There is a filtered water drinking station in the main building. A water bottle with a built-in filter is always a good idea if you’re unsure.
- Natural Insect Repellant – Essential Oils like Tea Tree are great for keeping mosquitoes away (if you do the trail into the jungle)
- Eco Friendly Toiletries – La Fortuna Atitlan provides the basics (soap, shampoo, and conditioner) but it’s always good to travel with your own eco friendly toiletries!
- Swimwear – the lake is a beautiful spot to go swimming. Try a sustainable swimwear brand.
Things To Do at Lake Atitlán
- Shop at the local market in Panajachel (Tuesdays and Sundays are the best)
- Paddleboard or kayak on the water. The water is the best place to get a feel for the lakes natural beauty
- Take the public boat to Santa Cruz
- Visit the Women’s Weaving Co-op
- Do the hike to Jaibalito (the next little town over)
- Visit Hiptipico. An ethical fashion store in Panajachel that is changing the face of traditional Guatemalan weaving.
- Using local artists they create modern pieces
- You can take the tour to see one (or multiple) homes from where the materials are made
Why you Should Stay at La Fortuna Atitlan
With 5 star service, beautiful rooms, and views, La Fortuna Hotel is a destination that is worth every dollar spent. A luxury destination with an eco-conscious mindset (and actions) makes it perfect for the eco traveler looking to splurge.
By staying at La Fortuna you are encoring the hospitality industry to strive for eco excellence. There should be more high-end vacation rentals that are taking their environmental impact into account like La Fortuna!
For some other eco hotel options in Guatemala, check out:
- Laguna Lodge (Lake Atitlan eco lodge)
- Lush Atitlan, San Marcos
- The Good Hotel Antigua
- Hobbitenango near Antigua, Guatemala
If you have time, we highly recommend you spend some time in Antigua. Here there are some amazing rooftop bars, sustainable shops, and vegetarian/vegan restaurants.
Book Your Stay at La Fortuna Atitlan
A La Fortuna Atitlan booking can be made via their website.
Like This Article? Pin it!
Aaron is one of the co-founders of The Dharma Trails. His background in marine eco tourism and writing have blended together to create the eco travel platform read by users around the world.
