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Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

ABOUT LAGUNA LODGE - in their own words:

Encompassed by mountains and volcanoes, immersed within our 100 acre nature reserve, our luxuriously natural Eco-Resort is perched on the shores of the beautiful and mystical Lake Atitlan. Entry into this Mayan world begins by boat.

Inspired by nature the lodge is built from volcanic stone, adobe, wood and palm. Spacious suites (just seven in total) with large private balconies offer spectacular views over the lake to the volcanoes. All suites are individually furnished with king beds (which can convert to twins), fine linens, intricate woven textiles and rustic indigenous.ntiques. The bathrooms feature Guatemalan green marble, double artisan basins, botanical toiletries with oversized towels and bath robes.

Set in fragrant gardens our Jacuzzi, lakeside sauna, palapa and sunbathing deck command dramatic views. A selection of body treatments are offered on our spa menu.

Maya Kaqchikel with ancestral pride, unique charm and a gentle hospitable manner are eager to present their service skills to you. The highlands are rich in indigenous tradition and culture, so as is their custom our female staff wear traditional dress. The lodge has archeological displays of ceramic, stone, obsidian, and jade artifacts from the lake basin.

Nature reserve paths traverse Mayan trails and ceremonial rocks. In testimony to its ancient past, after rain one can sometimes find a piece of obsidian flint on the paths around the area. Palm thatched pavilions offer panoramic views of the entire lake. For adventure enthusiasts the grounds have rock cliffs for climbing, rappelling and cliff jumping. The lake can be explored using our kayaks and canoes.

You will be part of an authentic and original experience!

ZOTZ RESTAURANT & LAVA BAR - Adventure into the vegetable kingdom!

Zotz is a full service international lakefront restaurant which serves fine eco-cuisine with distinctive flavor and quality from natural foods. Fresh organic vegetables, greens and herbs come from our gardens and local farmers with tropical fruits from the nearby pacific coast. Organic superiority enhances the flavor and health value of the produce which is meticulously prepared.

Chef Raul and his team use free range eggs, local cheeses, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and spices with culinary wisdom to create fine dishes with exotic pizzazz. We use famous highland shade grown organic coffee from our nature reserve and local farmers.

Candle-lit dining with a sweeping lake and volcano view creates a surreal ambience. On cooler evenings a large river stone and jasper fire place warms the restaurant.

A fine selection of imported wine, beer and spirits from Guatemala and around the world are served with a smile! Try the Molten Lava cocktail

TZANTIZOTZ NATURE RESERVE

Where the limit is nature’s imagination! 

Situated in the area of Tzantizotz which in local Kaqchikel means Point of Bats, this mountainous area begins at the lake front and reaches high altitude tropical dry forest. Laguna Lodge is the gateway to 100 acres of safe hiking on this bio diverse land. Beginning at the lakes edge at 1,563m (5128ft) the top of the reserve is at 1,963m (6,440ft). On some days the top is bathed in clouds. Well maintained paths for every fitness level traverse old Mayan trails. Palm thatched resting pavilions offer panoramic views of the entire lake.     

The trails encompass large cliffs and ancient Mayan ceremonial rocks. At the top of the reserve there is some of the last remaining primary forest in the area. To protect the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem native flora is replanted. Organic coffee and fruit trees are only grown on the lower slopes of the reserve. Bird watchers will see a plethora of birds many of them being endemic.

For sports lovers there are rock cliffs for rappelling and cliff jumping. Swimming is safe and deep and the lake can be explored with kayaks, canoes, fins and masks. Mayan guides explain the medicinal and domestic use of the plants and an interpretation room may be visited before setting of on the trails.  

Proceeds are put back into the reserve for the maintenance of trails, preservation and planting of flora, limiting the spread of invasive species, training of nature guides, and protecting fauna and flora.  

Laguna Lodge is a member of the Association of Private Nature Reserves of Guatemala.

FLORA & FAUNA:

FLORA
The biological kingdoms of temperate North America and tropical South America converge in Central America and the two largest oceans on the planet are separated thus creating extraordinary biological diversity with one of the richest life systems on Earth. Guatemala with its extreme geographically and varying altitudes has plant and animal species in 14 specific life zones. 14% of these are found nowhere else in the world.

It is also home to the Earth's richest flora with an estimated 8,000 species of vascular plants.

FLORA OF ATITLAN
Tropical dry forest, coniferas and latifoliadas, rain and cloud forests, mixed forest, with 798 plant species of which 61 are endemic. 160 of these are flowering plants. Oak, cedar, pine, conifer, chaparral, avocado, jicote, matasano, kapok, wild fig, acacia, alder, chichicaste, guachipilin, palo de la cruz, palo de jiote, ceibillo, castilian cane, water reeds, Bromiliad and epiphyte such as fern and orchid. The cacti, agave, maguey, nopal, pitahaya, and tuna.

FAUNA
Guatemala has over 214 species of reptiles of these 12 are endemic. (17 turtle, 3 crocodile, 75 lizard and 119 snake). 113 species of amphibians of which 4 are endemic. ( 2 caecilian, 33 salamander, 77 frog, and 1 toad). 250 species of mammals including marine mammals of which 4 are endemic. 669 species of birds of which 5 are endemic and 134 migratory birds. Guatemala has 220 species of fresh water fish of which 30 are endemic. 808 species of fauna, many of which are endemic are in danger of extinction. 130 of these are in noted in The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.(CITIES)

FAUNA OF ATITLAN
The regions rich and unique biodiversity includes 116 species of reptiles and amphibians of which 12 species are endemic.141 species of mammals of which 7 are endemic. Puma, squirrel, pig, deer, deer mouse, margay, gray fox, armadillo, spider monkey, opossum, bat, coatimundi, tecuazine, central american ring tail, northern racoon, kinkajou, rabbit, coyote, weasel, skunk, and otter cat.

BIRDS OF ATITLAN
236 bird species of which 12 species are endemic. This area is a key migrational corridor for neotropical migratory birds as well as a refuge for resident endangered species such as the resplendent quetzal and the horned guan. Many migrants such as the hummingbird, tanager, and oriole are essentially tropical having originally evolved in the neotropics and only later extending their range into North America in search of food and better nesting grounds. Other birds include the pink-headed warbler, yellow warbler, brown-backed solitaire, blue-throated toucanet, azure-rumped tanager, pied-billed grebe, ruddy duck, american widgeon and american coot, red-tailed hawk, melodious blackbird, brown pelican, yellow-throated tiger  heron, southern house wren, clay colored robin, buffy-fronted wood partridge, wild pigeon, common raven, baltimore oriole, blue-gray tanager, rufous collared sparrow, brown capped vireo, little hermit hummingbird, golden-fronted woodpecker, chestnut-sided shrike vireo, white - bellied emerald hummingbird, thicket tinamou, fulvous owl, singing quail, grey-necked wood-rail, anhinga, northern jacana, seagull, kingfisher and road runner.

FISH OF LAKE ATITLAN
Mojarra are native to the lake. Tilapia and silver carp were introduced as were the predatory largemouth black bass in 1958 which caused a reduction of the native fish population and led to the extinction of the giant grebe. Crabs and shellfish are found along the shores.