Casa Palopó

Lake Atitlan: Ringed by three imposing volcanoes, Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro, and surrounded by cool pine forests, Lake Atitlan is considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. A huge crater lake which sits at 5,125 ft above sea level, Atitlan’s ever changing appearance shifts between vibrant hues of azure, aqua marine and emerald, and is also recognised as the deepest lake in Central America.

Home to hundreds of species of plants and birds, Lake Atitlan is a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of descendants of the ancient Mayan people. A dozen Mayan towns line its shores and each one boasts a rich indigenous heritage which can be identified through the traditional dress worn by its inhabitants. The highlands of Guatemala are famous for being one of the most colourful regions of the country. This is in part thanks to the bright and intricately woven textiles that are used to make the traditional blouses or “huipiles” worn by the women.

Casa Palopó’s privileged position perched above the lake just outside the town of Santa Catarina Palopó, allows guests to enjoy spectacular vistas right from the comfort of their own terrace. One could easily spend a few days simply relaxing and soaking up the rays by one of the two pools yet there is also an array of adventurous and cultural activities on offer.

Couples and Honeymooners: Casa Palopó has been described by Forbes’ Magazine as an “off the beaten path gem” and one of the “World’s most secluded Honeymoon destinations”. It boasts a wonderfully intimate atmosphere; its sumptuous rooms have private terraces, and even in the hotel’s common areas there are cosy nooks to snuggle up in. Our favourite room is Santa Catarina (Master Suite) but for more privacy the Villa would be perfect also.

Families: Casa Palopó welcomes children over 10 years old. The best room combinations for families would be San Antonio (Master Suite) and San Pablo (Junior Suite) which are both located on the first level of the main building. Or, San Lucas (Deluxe) and San Juan (Deluxe) which are located on the first and lower level of the main building. For families looking for more privacy and space the villa would be ideal as you also have use of the large sitting room when taking it exclusively.

It’s important to note that there are lots of steps at Casa Palopó, so it is not suitable for anyone with serious mobility issues.

Adventure seekers will enjoy hiking up San Pedro Volcano, as well as mountain biking around the lake shore, kayaking on the lake and boat trips to local villages. Culture vultures can get involved with local projects as well as visit a number of artisan markets and textile workshops.

For those interested in Social Responsibility and getting involved with local community projects, “Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó” is a fantastic initiative, where visitors can “adopt a house” in the nearby village of Santa Catarina Palopó. This involves painting a local house in designs chosen by the family who live there. Colours and patterns are inspired by Guatemalan textile designs, and you can see full details about the different ways to get involved (from visiting to picking up a paintbrush) here.

@pintandoelcambiogt