Vista Verde Lodge - Hostel

Free parking and an amazing tour. The place is a bit rustic, but we were happy with our few nights there. The food was okay, neither great nor bad.

We were at the hostel for about 30 minutes. My girlfriend was ill and wanted a private bathroom, but we were in a dorm at Zephyr and couldn’t get one there. We’d booked here because it was nearby and cheap, but the room was disappointing: lots of bugs with the windows wide open, gaps around doors, ceilings and fittings, and the room was pretty filthy. We were in the jungle, so I understand things won’t be perfect, but we decided to leave. We paid for the full two-night stay without using it. The host took such offence at our leaving that he threatened to call the police. I’ve never had a worse experience with a host. I wouldn’t have written this if he hadn’t behaved like such a disgusting character. Having read other reviews, it seems others were threatened with the police too. In a reply to another guest they said that person was aggressive and drunk, so I’m curious what they’ll say here. If you’re looking for a cheap substitute because Zephyr is full, don’t come here. There seems to be a lot of animosity between the hostels. Zephyr staff advised us against staying here, though we’d already booked. The whole experience was horrific. The rules also seem designed to stop guests going to Zephyr Lodge parties, which end at 1 a.m., with a midnight curfew here, perhaps to keep people spending money at this hostel. The owners should get rid of that deranged man, or if he is the owner, seek help for anger management. They should relax the curfew and finish the room fittings.

Arranging tours and transfers through Vista Verde was easy and made getting around stress-free. The pool, with its gorgeous views, was a lovely place to rest after exploring, and the food was fresh and full of flavor. The staff were warm and ready to help with anything. Special thanks to Susana, who tracked down our lost toy monkey and mailed it all the way to Lake Atitlán. Such a thoughtful thing to do, and we won’t forget it. Our stay in Lanquín was a memorable, welcoming experience.

The beds had very useful mosquito nets, and the staff were friendly. The views were amazing. Shower water ran a little cold, but it was still fine. They offer shuttle service and tours to semuc champey, and I’d recommend taking the tour.