Laguna Lodge is situated on the beautiful Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. With views of multiple volcanoes, a traditional Mayan feel, and a private nature reserve, it is an eco icon. Find out what it’s like to stay in this internationally recognized eco resort, in one of Central America’s most beautiful destinations.
Note: This post has been updated for 2024 with the latest tips and advice for your visit.
Table of Contents
Where is Laguna Lodge?
Situated on the Northern side of Lake Atitlán (Lago Atitlan), near the town of Santa Cruz, 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 & where you will arrive coming from Guatemala City or Antigua. From the Panajachel ferry dock (close to the public bus/shuttle parking area) it’s a 5-minute boat ride.
We were initially surprised to see the property from the water as they have done some modifications over the last couple of years (building a large wooden deck out the front of the property). There is also an apartment block that has built next door.
Locality
- La Aurora International Airport – 3.5 Hours
- Antigua – 3 hours (Take the Tourist Shuttle for USD$40 per person)
- Panajachel – 10 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
What is Laguna Lodge?
Laguna Lodge protects over 100 acres of nature reserve behind the resort. Access to the reserve is complimentary for resort guests, however, there is a small charge for outsiders looking to visit. Proceeds from this fee go towards maintenance of the reserve itself.
You can walk around the reserve trail in about 2 hours and capture some amazing views of the lake and volcanoes (or kick back in one of the hammocks and view the boats going by).
All resort decisions and actions revolve around their green footprint. Great care is taken to ensure environmental impact is minimized.
Where Mayan World Comes Alive
Traditional artisan craft is very prevalent throughout the resort. From the handwoven cushions & bed runners to the wall art and artifacts (some dating back as far as 1000BC). The rooms are a modern take on traditional life, with mud-brick walls and hand-carved furniture. The hotel is a living cultural celebration with modern-day touches (free wifi and electric coffee makers in the room for example).
Farm to Table
The food at Laguna Lodge is fresh & plant-based. Their produce garden is close by and carried by local staff daily to satisfy the demands. With the set four course vegetarian dinners (and ala-carte breakfast/lunch) you will not go hungry.
Awards & Certifications
It’s always nice to see who else has recognized the great work an eco resort is achieving. As far as recognition, Laguna Lodge has received some of the highest:
- National Geographic, World Legacy Awards
- National Geographic Traveler, World’s Best 25 Lodges
- CNN Travel – 15 of the worlds best ecolodges
- Winner: Luxury Eco Resort of the Year 2015
Apart from their awards, there have also been some great articles by top media companies such as Time Magazine, GQ and The New York Post to name a few.
It’s easy to see the attraction. A real eco-focused resort with beautiful views great for adults, children or a traveling family.
About Your Stay
Arriving by boat is always fun & Laguna Lodge has a serious presence from the water. The new, large wooden decking (and neighboring apartment) threw us off, but there’s no doubt, the resort is beautiful. Especially from the water.
The series of stepped, thatched roofs and lush greenery between the walls create a jungle feel that really invites you in.
Walk up the staircase in the center and a small reception desk awaits. The local staff spoke great English and were happy to accommodate us with a drink while they finished preparing our room.
The Room
There are two main different room types:
- Suites
- Villa
Suites
There are 6 unique suites. All of which have:
- Uninterrupted lake/volcano views
- Bathrooms with ensuite
- Beautifully handcrafted interiors
- Green Marble Benchtops
- Minibar
- Double glass sliding doors
- Handmade bathrobes
Villa
The villa is another world of eco-Mayan luxury.
At the top of the property, the villa boasts two stories of Lakeview living at its finest. A private entry takes you through the lush garden to a heavy wooden door. Inside a room fit for Mayan royalty.
The two-story villa has all the modern essentials mixed with a collection of historical artifacts and local handicrafts. With views of the lake and volcano from every sitting area, the villa is a perfect spot to kick back in a colorful couch and watch the lake-life go by.
In addition to the double story villa, there is also a covered outdoor patio (with lake/volcano views). This is an ideal seating area to enjoy the sunset or have meals delivered throughout the day.
Room Amenities Include:
- Two kind sized beds
- One double bed
- Kitchenette/minibar
- Two bathrooms
- Two Indoor sitting areas
- Outdoor sitting area
- Smart TV
- Private access (with direct entry to the nature reserve)
Resort Amenities
- 6 Suites
- 1 Villa (2 levels)
- Pool
- Small gym facility
- Restaurant/Bar
- Private 100 Acre Nature Reserve
- TV/DVD Room (share space with chessboard)
- Spa
- Kayak for use
- Shade-grown coffee farm
The Staff
- 100% indigenous Kaqchikel staff
- There are a couple of on-site staff that spoke English
- While communication is not always easy, the staff are very friendly and will go out of their way to make your stay be the best possible one
Laguna Lodge Restaurant
The restaurant is a key element in its dedication to sustainability and eco practices. Boasting an “eco-cuisine”, the restaurant prepares fresh vegetarian food daily using local produce.
With a nearby vegetable garden (that is attended to and collected from daily), vegetarian meals are served overlooking some of the lake’s best views.
- Amazing vegetarian menu (no meat served)
- Uses local produce (herbs are straight from the property itself)
- Each day there is a set 4-course dinner menu (this reduces food waste)
- Meals can be served to your room
- The bar also has organic wines, local beer and some beautiful cocktails that make use of the on-site herb garden (try the mojitos)
- Hotels with truly eco conscious restaurants are not easy to come by
What to do at Laguna Lodge
Swim in the pool
- The pool is situated out on the lakefront deck
- It catches the sun for most of the day
- Uses lake water so it is quite refreshing
- Has table/seating inside which is a perfect spot for a cocktail
Kayak on the lake
- Laguna Lodge has kayaks you can use
- The lake is a perfect place to go for a paddle
- The best time is in the morning before the wind comes up (can get quite choppy in the afternoon)
Walk around the nature reserve
- A dedicated walking track takes around 2 hours to complete
- There are an amazing number of birds throughout the park
- Take the old Mayan trails to some of the Lake’s last remaining forest
- Some amazing lookout points (at approx. 2,000m above sea level [the lake is approx. +1,500m)
View the mountains from the hammocks
- One of the best seats on the whole lake is the hammocks high up on the nature reserve’s cliffs
- There are two hammocks under the shade of a wooden deck that look out to the double volcano view
Eat amazing vegetarian food
- The nightly set menu is seriously amazing
- Combing flavors and textures to create a mind-blowing experience (even for those who are not vegetarian, you won’t be disappointed)
- Don’t forget to try the shade-grown coffee (from the nature reserve)
Go to the spa
- The spa offers a variety of massage therapies ( Swiss, Thai, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, and Reflexology)
- They also provide yoga classes & meditation
Sunbake on the deck
- The over-water deck is one of the best spots to sunbake on the lake (or just spend time)
- With the views and lake breeze, it’s an amazing place to read a book (there are some great ones on offer in the resort)
Learn about eco & sustainable practices
- There is a whole room (at the entrance) dedicated to sustainable practices and eco-tourism
- From implementing sustainable food to carbon footprints in the hospitality industry, to the various ways that preserving natural areas can help species, you can learn all about it in this resort
- There are also a great selection of documentaries on sustainable life choices that you can view in the TV room (such as Cowspiricy, Earthlings, An Inconvenient Truth)
Laguna Lodge Sustainable Practices
There are a few key ways that eco accommodations can interact with their working environment:
- Accommodation & you (the guest)
- The community
- Surrounding environment
Here’s how Laguna Lodge is addressing the above mentioned.
Your Experience
- Signage and information provided in the hotel and rooms make very clear the sustainable practices that are occurring in the resort.
- Global Code of Ethics in Tourism manual is provided in the suites.
- Clean and comfortable. The resort is targeted to eco traveler with a budget, who also wants comfort
- Complimentary purified drinking water provided through the resort (no bottled water)
The Community
- Hiring local staff and using local tradespeople and materials help to positively impact the local community
- Guests can take tours to working villages (coffee, weaving, tortilla making) to promote local culture and provide financial assistance
- Resort staff are trained in hospitality, sustainability, and language
- The resort has a non for profit NGO called Laguna Community Care (LCC)
- LCC offers skilled professionals (mostly medical related) stays in the resort in exchange for work/helping the local community with medical assistance/consultations
- LCC sends meals to villages with elderly/ill
- Provide funds after sudden illness or death, and home repairs.
- Provide information on family planning and aids education.
The Environment
There’s no doubting Laguna Lodge’s dedication to eco tourism. Their impressive list of environmental achievements and practices are highlighted below:
- Renewable energy via solar panels
- 180 solar panels producing 20 kW of power
- Solar heating
- Energy efficient devices used
- Rooms designed to take advantage of natural lighting and ventilation
- Natural gas stoves and dryers used
- Staff arrive either by foot or public ferry
- Rainwater collection
- Greywater reused on garden
- Food delivered to site in reusable containers
- Plastics, paper, metal, and glass are taken to the recycling center
- Non-toxic agents used to clean
- Landscaping and organic food production using natural insecticides, mulch and compost
- Natural eco friendly products provided in the bathroom, in refillable containers.
Pros & Cons of Laguna Lodge
Pros
- Unique Eco luxury. The influence of local culture and artifacts make this resort an amazing combination of old and new technology, perfect for eco travel!
- Iconic volcano views (from all rooms and seating areas)
- Friendly staff (a few speak English but they are very accommodating)
- Direct water access to the lake
- Amazing pool with lake and volcano view
- Great, fresh vegetarian food menu
Cons
- Wifi dropped out regularly (powered by solar)
- Can be no English speaking staff on the property at times (English is the third language after local dialect and Spanish)
- High price for meals
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.
- Eco Friendly Toiletries – They provide the basics (soap, shampoo & 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 on Lake Atitlan
- Shop at the local market in Panajachel (Tuesdays & 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 (you can also walk to Santa Cruz from Laguna Lodge)
- Visit the Womens Weaving Co-op
- Do the hike to Jaibalito (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 pieces are made
Why Stay at Laguna Lodge?
This eco resort has a truly sustainable drive. Their mission is to become carbon neutral and as far as eco resorts go, they are doing just about everything possible to operate in a green way.
It is really impressive to see their dedication to a sustainable eco tourism future being done in such a luxury way.
It’s great to stay somewhere beautiful and know that you are contributing to a truly great cause. This nature lodge has been voted a top eco luxury destination for a reason. If you’re going to Lake Atitlan, it’s definitely a place you should visit!
If you are looking for some other sustainable hotels in Guatemala, check out:
- La Fortuna, Lake Atitlan
- The Good Hotel Antigua
- Hobbitenango near Antigua, Guatemala
Book Your Stay
Book your stay at Laguna Lodge now, through Booking.com! Click here.
Or for more sustainable travel content check our eco travel page!
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.
