Beyond fun! Didn't think I wanted this on my bucket list, but I was wrong! Had a great adventure and recommend it to anyone wanting a little excitement!
En sjø som nok må være en av de vakreste i verden. Herlig å svømme i, herlig å padle på når det er stille vær. Hyggelige mennesker.
An incredibly diverse terrain lies a secret behind Laguna Lodge, but when you know it's there a hundred acres of safe hiking is at your fingertips. Well maintained paths lead all fitness levels along old Mayan trails, through tropical dry forests, past organic coffee plantations, to epic viewpoints. The area known as Tzantizotz, which in local Kaqchikal means point of Bats, reaches a height of nearly 2000m, where panoramic views of the lake can be enjoyed. We had a lot of fun exploring all the trails!
Amazing swimming spot. I highly recommend! Best swimming area on the lake, you should walk past the first "trampoline" to find a good spot to swim. Go early before the water gets choppy.
You must go to this reserve while in Santa Cruz, it is an oasis of heaven right on the lake. Safe and just enough hiking to get your blood moving and grooving. You will love the hammocks at the top of the trail to rest in under a shaded palapa. The view will knock your eyes out, it is just divine. Don't miss it.
Hiking up from the back of Laguna Lodge was great exercise and well worth it. We did not hike the volcanoes but felt we did not need to after walking the many trails of Laguna Lodges private reserve that had spectacular views at every point. The hammocks on a cliff are a must see spot to view the entire lake from.
I took the hike around the Tzantizotz whilst staying at Laguna Lodge and I was so happy I did! I did the hike in the middle of the day, which was very hot (maybe a trek in the late afternoon might be better!) and along the way the views were absolutely spectacular! I think that they were the best views I experienced of the Lake (apart from my paragliding experience!). And the best part is the hammocks and viewing platform, well worth it after the hike. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the view and get ready for the hike back to the lodge. Every part of the hike allowed for perfect photographic opportunities. There are viewpoints along the way where you can take pictures. I loved that you get views from all angles of the lake, which is not always the case in other hikes I did. The hike only took us around 90min, as we are fast hikers, however depending on how fast you walk, it may take longer. We didn't experience any bug bites, however another couple said they got bit, so I recommend taking bug spray just incase and definitely take lots of water and put on sunscreen before you leave. Apart from the views we saw some birds and insects. It really is a a must-do during your stay at Laguna!
The steep climb from behind Laguna may be tough but it's worth it. You're soon way above the lake with more stunning views and the only sounds being birds and insects. Make sure you make time to do all the loops. Take a book and go sit in the hammocks at the Palapa. No wifi or phone signal just nature.We got up at dawn to get all the way up to the summit of the trails, make sure you take a torch. We spotted an owl and a fox on route and as the sun rose the cacophony of bird song erupted. As I've experienced in jungles across the world, the birds stay hidden, just fleeting glimpses of them as they flutter from tree to tree. But the noise is incredible and when you do get a good view of that hummingbird beating its wings in a blur and hovering in front of a flower sipping the nectar it makes it all the more worth it. Make sure you take lots of water and take your time but certainly head up and see what you can find!
This is a beautiful hotel and certainly the walk is exceptional. The hotel is not a big fan of children, so that was a bit of a concern for us when trying to have a cup of tea after the fact. The walk was nice, but it isn't any nicer than the hikes around the lake. http://www.racolife.com/laguna-lodge-nature-reserve/
The trail is steep, but fairly well maintained with earthen stairs. It's worth every breath when you arrive at #13, the hilltop palapa with two hammocks overlooking Lake Atitlan. The trail could use some better signage.