You may have experienced this before: You think you’ve planned the perfect adventure vacation to an under-the-radar destination, only to be greeted at each and every stop by swarms of tourists who had the same idea. Ugh. But never fear! Now that you’re connected with our expert team at CIRE, we can guide you on your travel planning journey, recommending the perfect and uncrowded destinations to match the vibe you’re looking for. Just last month, I had to opportunity to discover gorgeous and entirely under-rated Guatemala for the first time with our friends and partners at Hidden Doorways. I’m excited to share more about my trip for anyone seeking an authentic, cultural, off-the-beaten path experience with the comfort of modern luxury.
Hidden Doorways has two luxury properties in Guatemala, one in Antigua and one in Lake Atitlán. A vacation with a stay at both properties is ideal for those who are seeking off-the-beaten-path adventure but with luxurious amenities. It doesn’t have to be one or the other!
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, while not the capital of Guatemala, serves as its cultural hub. Rivaling the streets of Cartagena, Antigua has a definitive charm, quaint cobblestone streets, and an authentic local flavor that’s almost palpable. Wander through the lively streets and encounter locals making tortillas, women selling their crafts, and the jubilant sound of children playing soccer (futbol) at recess. Get lost meandering the maze-like street market and gawk at the panoramic view of the city on top of La Iglesia de la Merced, where you will have the best view of the famous yellow arch known as Arco de Santa Catalina. If you’re seeking more of an active adventure, the region is surrounded by three major volcanoes which you can hike to with an expert guide.
Where to stay in Antigua: Villa Bokeh
Villa Bokeh is a colonial-style hacienda located about 5 minutes from Antigua’s city center. This 15-bedroom property on 6 lush acres feels like your own private estate. Explore the secluded gardens, take a dip in the pool, or just relax in a private corner of the property dotted with tranquil fountains. Aside from the beautiful scenery outdoors, you will fall in love with all the nooks and art within the villa itself. On the second floor, there are spiral staircases that take you to a speakeasy bar on the rooftop where they create unique, local cocktails.
While the property is beautiful look at, another top highlight here is the food! The chefs on property do a magnificent job recreating local dishes from across the country – but with a twist. Every plate has a story, and the chefs come out to explain how they’ve created the edible art in front of you. Corn based dishes are a staple and you’ll be surprised by all this vegetable can be transformed into, truly mastered by the Guatemalans. Try the Atol de elote – a sweet corn drink. It makes for a great mocktail!
Pro tip: Head up to the rooftop at sunrise, Once I heard the birds chirping at 5:30am, I put on my robe and went up to the highest rooftop on the building. I was surprised to see the sunrise with only the company of the birds and two volcanoes! Luckily, the sky cleared up for about 20 minutes and I was able to see the smoke puffing from one of the region’s active volcanoes.
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Lake Atitlán was my next stop, just a 2.5 hour drive from Antigua. But don’t worry if long card rides aren’t your thing, worries – you can also take a helicopter and be there in 20 minutes! I actually enjoyed the drive, winding along roads through wooded forests and charming local towns. It was a good transition from the “city” of Antigua to Lake Atitlán, which feels like the Lake Como of Guatemala. You’ll first arrive in the town of Santa Catarina Palopó where you’ll see colorful houses, local craftsmen, and buzzy everyday life. You can also take a boat across the river to San Juan La Laguna, where you will find a rainbow road with colors, more crafts, and locals eager to share their stories and their art. Enjoy a day on the boat or get your workout in with kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake.
Where to stay in Lake Atitlán: Casa Palopó
If you enjoyed the volcano view at Villa Bokeh, you are going to LOVE the 3-volcano panoramic view you’ll get at Casa Palopó. The hotel incorporates both contemporary and indigenous Guatemalan artwork into its interior design, with rooms designed like your own personal museum of Guatemalan arts and crafts. And this unique property with amazing views is also on a lovely lake! Their on-site restaurant, Kinnik, is lakefront and has a beach club as well with direct access to the water where you can take a boat ride or just jump in the water. Guests come here to enjoy the delicious Mayan inspired cuisine with a view of the sparkling waters.
Pro tip: As you explore the region, you will note that all the locals speak various dialects of Mayan and hold onto their culture and heritage dearly. We had the opportunity to go one step further and experience a ceremony with the local Mayan Shaman celebrating a day of New Beginnings as marked on the Mayan calendar! It was wonderful to hear him speak about his Mayan heritage, how it applies in today’s world. This magical experience took place at the highest point on the property at dusk where we could see the sunset colors kiss the volcanoes and the orchestra of animals at night begin as we sipped on hot chocolate by the ceremonial fire. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
Santa Catarina Palopo’s Colorful Houses
One thing that touched my heart on this trip was Casa Palopo’s community service project that’s making a big difference in the local community. The hotel helps locals paint their homes and buildings bright colors, allowing the town to become a tourist destination to boost its economy. It also allows locals to work closer to home instead of having to take hour-long journeys to the nearest city. Families can choose the colors, motifs, and Mayan designs for their home – making it personal to them and with a story to tell to all those who visit. Coming from across the lake, we were able to see the notable difference between Santa Catarina and its neighboring city with the bright-colored homes rivaling those of the Amalfi Coast.
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A big thanks to our partner Ruddy Harootian and our wonderful partners at Hidden Doorways for hosting Melissa in Guatemala.
Ready to start planning your luxury/adventure vacation to Guatemala? Our expert team is ready to help! Drop us a line!
CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY. Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.
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