San Buenaventura de Atitlan

A small, pleasant hotel with a private beach and a nice view of Atitlan Lake. Breakfast was included and very good, and lunch had a nice homemade taste. They don’t serve dinner on site. Staff were friendly. Kayaking is available from 8-10am, and there’s a sauna for an extra fee. Check-in is at 3 and check-out at noon.

We’ve stayed here twice now, and it’ll be our first stop when we visit the area again. The free kayaking was a real treat, and the price felt right for a place that has an upscale feel while staying affordable. Getting into town was easy. We usually walked the 15-20 minutes, or the hotel can share drivers who charge around 10-15 quetzales per person for a tuk-tuk. The lake and volcano views are breathtaking, and breakfast is included and delicious. Our room was roomy and comfortable, with a bed we slept really well in. The staff were helpful and welcoming from booking through checkout. They also replied quickly on WhatsApp, which made arranging things feel easy. Hotel San Buenaventura Atitlan is a gem, and I highly recommend it for a Lake Atitlán visit.

The restaurant downstairs can get a little loud, so it’s useful to know that ahead of time. I had a great experience with the front desk and dining room staff, though. They were helpful and even remembered to keep track of my gluten-free bread.

It takes a bit of a drive to reach this hotel, but the scenery makes it worthwhile. The views are amazing, and the peaceful, beautiful setting is just right for unwinding or getting away for a while.