Hotel Reserva Natural Atitlan

If you’re in Panajachel and want a memorable adventure, this place is magical. My husband was keen to zip line, so we came to this nature reserve, where the cables have beautiful views of lake Atitlan. There are nine cables for the extreme route, not just one. The room was lovely, made mostly of bamboo. We also took a 10-15 minute hike to a viewpoint over lake Atitlan, passing a butterfly enclosure, and another short walk to waterfalls over several rope bridges. The staff were kind and helpful.

We spent the day here as a group of four. The well-kept trails made for a great hike, with a waterfall and enclosed butterfly area along the way. In the shade, walking was especially pleasant late in the morning and into the afternoon. The two teenagers tried the extrema zip line. Getting set up, hiking to the top, and riding took about two hours. They felt safe. The guides spoke only a little English, but that was fine for us.

Getting there early let us enjoy the nature almost to ourselves, even though it never got crowded. Don’t skip the butterfly area or the demonstration at the butterfly laboratory. We also loved the beach, which felt very peaceful and had amazing views.

There’s plenty to enjoy here, from lovely nature trails to time sitting by the water. The park walks were stunning. I only spent half a day and wished I’d arrived when it opened so I could stay all day.