It Takes a Village

Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán features three volcanoes, Mayan villages and an authentic cultural experience
Set in the Guatemalan Highlands, Lake Atitlán has been compared to Italy’s Lake Como for its bougainvillea-ringed beauty and dreamy charm. But there are a few things here you won’t find in that George Clooney-endorsed hot spot—namely, a dramatic backdrop of three volcanoes and over a dozen traditional Mayan villages, each with its own dialect, signature color and artisan traditions. At the idyllic, nine-room Casa Palopó, guests can book the hotel’s private boat to explore some of these lakeside communities, then shop the markets for handwoven textiles and other handmade goods.
Lake Atitlán is also one of Guatemala’s top coffee regions, and Casa Palopó has partnered with noted growers Finca Santo Tomas Perdido, located on a nature preserve on the lower slopes of the Toliman volcano, to offer an exclusive foodie experience. In addition to touring the sustainable plantation, cow pastures and artisan cheese dairy, you’ll learn about how beekeeping can help coffee production—then enjoy a feast of farm-made products. The gourmet theme continues back at Casa Palopó, which is helmed by a dynamic, Culinary Institute of America-trained young chef.
Of course, relaxation is on the menu, too, from lakeview terraces and swimming pools and excellent massages (performed in-room or in the cozy spa), to the moving shaman ceremony (available upon request) that helps reconnect you to the power of nature—not a hard thing to do with those mighty volcanoes right in front of you. casapalopo.com