Boatique Hotel and Marina - Hostel

The property is gorgeous, thoughtfully built with impressive craftsmanship, and the landscaping is incredible. We saw iguanas and little animals in the trees, and the Wi-Fi was fast. The host, on-site managers, and staff were all very responsive whenever we had questions or wanted a boat ride. We used the guest kayaks a lot to explore; there’s a small fee. One note for the owner: the single paddleboard was in poor shape, and new ones plus an electric pump would be worth considering. We spent two nights in the room above the kitchen, then two in the boathouse. Both were great, but I’d especially recommend the boathouse if it’s available. It had a very comfortable bed, and both rooms had cool AC. The food was fantastic, better than at many restaurants I tried nearby. Breakfasts were delicious, and so were the fish tacos. Two sweet, friendly cats live on the property. The lighter one was adorable and wanted to hang out with us constantly. One of the best places I’ve stayed in Central America. I hope to visit again if I’m back in Guatemala.

The sunrise and sunset kayak trips were our highlight. We saw an incredible range of wildlife, including a big family of howler monkeys, squirrels, iguanas, basilisks, geckos, hummingbirds, egrets, jays, and more. We even saw a Mexican parrot snake fall from the trees while birds were hunting it. We paddled farther once to Laguna Escondida La Bacadilla, which was quite an adventure, but the wildlife was best closer by, past Dreamcatcher Hotel and down the narrow river into the forest. The restaurant food was always fresh and tasty. We loved the breakfast pancakes, the dinner menu changes, and the coffee and drink selection was great. The pool area and grounds were inviting and well kept. The huts are clean and maintained, with comfortable beds, good showers, enough space, and nice private balconies. It’s wonderfully peaceful, with nature all around, but you don’t have to give up vacation comforts. Just expect early mornings, around 5-6 am, when the howler monkeys are active and all kinds of birds are around. We loved that part. Mosquitoes and horseflies are around too, so bring protection. This was easily our best stay during 2.5 weeks in Guatemala. We’d love to come back.

We had a beautiful few days here and loved the rooms, food, and people. They also have amazing day trips. If you’re visiting Rio Dulce, this is the perfect place to stay 🤗

Quiet and scenic, with cozy, peaceful rooms and a lovely pool surrounded by little cabanas. The service was great, the food exceptional, and there’s free coffee in the morning. It seems to be a landing spot for yacht crews and owners, and I had some great conversations with them. We enjoyed it so much that we’ll be back. They offer free lanchas, though they don’t go everywhere. We paid about Q100 to leave at a private dock. Outside food isn’t allowed.