Explore Guatemala
Living It Up
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If you’re sick and tired of hotels that all pretty much look the same but like the opportunity to check out unique boutique hotels and jungle lodges near worthwhile attractions, then this itinerary is for you. If you’re a movie star or just like to live like one, then this itinerary is for you. If you think zipping around the world to stay in chic hotels and then write about them is a dream job, then, again, this one’s for you.
Guatemala has some of the hippest digs anywhere on the planet and I would happily fly down there just to spend a few nights at any of these properties. Equivalent accommodations elsewhere in the world would cost twice as much. You can find some of Latin America’s best restaurants in Guatemala as well as shopping and museums that are quite simply fabulous. After all, Guatemala’s wealthy elite need somewhere to spend their money—besides Miami.
Guatemala City
Check in to either Otelito (12 Calle 4-51 Zona 10, tel. 2339-1811, www.otelito.com, $120–160 d)or the Intercontinental (14 Calle 2-51 Zona 10, tel. 2379-4548 or 888/424-6835 toll-free U.S., www.intercontinental.com, $125–485 d), two of the city’s hippest haunts.
Enjoy a dinner of fusion cuisine at Tamarindos (11 Calle 2-19A Zona 10, tel. 2360-2815, reservaciones [at] tamarindos [dot] com [dot] gt, 12:30–3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.–1 a.m. Mon.–Sat., $10–20) or Jake’s (17 Calle 10-40 Zona 10, tel. 2368-0351, noon–3 p.m. and 7–10:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., noon–4 p.m. Sun., $10–25), considered by Travel and Leisure magazine to be among the best restaurants in Latin America.
Alternatively, have dinner at the fabulous Portal del Ángel (Km. 11.2 Carretera a El Salvador, tel. 2369-6007, noon–9 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., noon–10 p.m. Fri.–Sun., $8–35) in the hills on the outskirts of town overlooking the city; then head back to Zona 10 and enjoy a night out on the town in the Zona Viva. If you’re staying at the Intercontinental, eat at least one meal at any of its excellent restaurants with elements of French and Japanese cuisine.
Antigua
Check in to any of the city’s fabulous boutique properties, including Quinta Maconda (5a Avenida Norte #11, tel. 5309-1423 Antigua or 866/621-4032 U.S., www.quintamaconda.com, $130–165 d)and Casa Palopó (6a Calle Oriente #1, tel. 7762-2270, www.casapalopo.com), a pair of elegant colonial houses converted into charming inns. Book a private shopping or historical tour with Martha Hettich or the folks at Quinta Maconda.
Be sure to eat at least one meal at Mesón Panza Verde (5a Avenida Sur #19, tel. 7832-2925, www.panzaverde.com, lunch and dinner Tues.–Sat., brunch and lunch Sun., $10–20), known for its Swiss-born chef’s fantastic cooking. And if you want to come home with recipes for Guatemalan favorites that would make Emeril avocado-green with envy, check out Antigua Cooking School.
Lake Atitlán
Make your way to the quaint lakeside village of Santa Catarina Palopó (you could hire a chopper from Guatemala City), where you’ll check in to fantastic Casa Palopó (Km. 6.8 Carretera a San Antonio Palopó, tel. 7762-2270, www.casapalopo.com, $125–276 d) overlooking the lake.
Leave your cares behind and enjoy the excellent service, allowing plenty of time to watch the light change on the volcanoes or the wind dance across the lake throughout the day. If you’ve got the cash, rent out the entire Villa Palopó, higher up the hill, and have your private butler fetch you cocktails or anything your heart desires.
Pacific Coast
On the ninth terrace of Takalik Abaj, Takalik Maya Lodge (tel. 2333-7056 or 2337-0037, www.takalik.com) gives you the option of staying in quaint jungle cottages painted with yellow and green frescoes or on a converted coffee farm house overlooking a swimming pool and a coffee-drying patio. Explore the ruins by tractor-pulled trailer from the lodge.
If you must hear the ocean, head to Monterrico and check in to the brand-new Dos Mundos resort (tel. 7762-2078, h2mundos [at] intelnet [dot] net [dot] gt, $80–140 d), with cabanas featuring all the feel of an exclusive Mexican beach villa, or enjoy the beautiful seaside resort atmosphere at Salifish Bay Lodge (tel. 2426-3909 direct or 800/638-7405 U.S. reservations, www.sailfishbay.com, $125 d) in Iztapa.
Izabal
For the ultimate private getaway, head up the Río Tatín to Rancho Corozal (tel. 5309-1423 in Guatemala, 866/621-4032 toll-free U.S., www.quintamaconda.com), a sumptuous thatched-roof private villa beautifully furnished and decorated. Use the skiff to explore the surrounding jungle rivers or simply relax in the hammock lounge with a good book.
Petén
For Petén’s ultimate in style and luxury, fly into Flores and have the friendly folks at Francis Ford Coppola’s La Lancha (tel. 7928-8331, www.blancaneaux.com) pick you up. Enjoy the 45-minute ride from the airport to your lakeside resort.
While away your time simply lounging by the pool overlooking the turquoise waters of Lake Petén Itzá and the beautiful jungle, or do as Mel Gibson did and take a chopper up to the remote ruins of El Mirador, deep in the jungles to the north near the Mexican border. It sure beats trekking through knee-deep mud for two days from the nearest village.
© Al Argueta from Moon Guatemala, 2nd Edition. Photos © Al Argueta www.alargueta.com
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