Highly recommend this experience to connect with a traditional and sacred ceremony. The cave itself was a powerful place and our guide Alex was really amazing. He shared lots of wisdom, knowledge and encouraged questions. We had such a great experience, we invited him to join us for dinner afterwards and he took us to a great local restaurant and continued to share his amazing knowledge. Super grateful and glad i booked this experience and hope to bring others to do this in the future when back around the Lake.

Awesome place to rent kayaks on the lake. 70Q for an hour or 100Q for 2 hours. Highly recommend 2 hours cause the kayaks are nice and it gives you lots of time to explore the lake. Staff was nice and kayaks were quality ones. After returning the kayaks, you can also chill or swill by the dock

My family and I LOVED Los elementos!!! We kayaked with a guide to a cliff jumping spot, we climbed, we lunched with Lee and his family and friends, we hiked in the jungle and rock climbed. This was not only a highlight of our trip but really a highlight of my life. I also love that this company is also a non profit and helps the community at Lake Atitlan including training guides and education for the local kids. It was worth every penny and I will be back one day.

Imagine waves lapping on the shore, distant thunder brewing, sun going down over a shimmering lake, and a volcano back drop, while you relax in your own private lake shore space. Well that’s what you get at Lee and Elaine’s casita at Santa Cruz La Laguna. I had such a relaxing time at this beautiful little property Clean, private room and bathroom, with a little, outdoor, covered kitchen that had everything you would need to cook yourself a meal (except the food), filtered water system, nice fridge, stove… or go right next door for amazing food, drink and a view. Lee and Elaine were very helpful in giving me information about excursions and hikes. There’s even trails to a waterfall behind the property. Or you can rent a kayak or paddle board from them at very affordable rates and use their private dock. I highly recommend staying at Las Bonitas. I will definitely return!

We booked this experience at Lake Atitlán and it was everything we needed after a long few days of travelling. Lovely, private bungalow on a beautiful property with stunning views of Lake Atitlán. Lee and everyone on the property were all very pleasant, helpful, responsive, and made sure we had everything we needed for a relaxing stay, and we were able to rent kayaks to explore the lake. They have refreshments for sale on the property, and there are a few restaurants just a short walk away. Highly recommend booking this experience for your Lake Atitlán adventure!

I recently spent a few days of recreation around Lake Atitlan prior to managing a work event in Antigua, Guatemala. It was a last-minute decision to come early to sight-see and I reached out to Kayak Adventure Center to help me coordinate everything with one point of contact. Lee, the owner, helped me put together an itinerary of adventure activities around the lake and the private transfers I needed coming from Guatemala City beforehand and moving to Antigua afterwards. Lissette, my driver, was very professional in her communication for my pickups and then was wonderful to ride with. We talked the whole way and had great conversations. She was very friendly and a great driver. One day I did a sunrise hike at Indian Nose with guide Mario, followed by the two of us kayaking the lake and doing some cliff-jumping and swimming which was super fun, and then he took me to the zip-line spot in the jungle and made sure I was all set there before departing. I enjoyed my time with him and it was a very fun day. Zip-lining was also great as the circuit has you flying over a river in a canyon in the jungle with views of the lake, as well. The next day I did a one-on-one guided summit of Volcan San Pedro. It was only after I booked that I read the reviews warning of armed robbery at the summit in past years. I contacted Lee to ask him about this and he was very quick to reply and reach out to chat about it. My guide Pancho (Omar) also was very transparent about the concerns and made sure to check in at the trailhead about current conditions. We were told there was a police presence that day at the summit itself and many other tourists on the trail so we proceeded. We experienced zero issues, and we met many tourists on the trail who were all jubilant about the hike (it was not overcrowded at all but we didn't feel alone). The hike was difficult but not impossible and Pancho was always ready to support my pace or any breaks I needed, but also keeping things moving forward so we could reach the summit in good time. He was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the history and geology of the region and the culture and history of its people. We had great conversations the whole way and I really enjoyed the dense forest on the hike up. When we got to the top there were some clouds but they opened up here and there for amazing views of the entire lake and all of the many volcanoes along the horizon. I felt in good hands the whole trip with Lee and his team.

This place is heaven on earth! Lee and his wife(owners) were so gracious to me and 2 friends I was traveling with. The villa was very clean and surroundings/ landscapes were meticulous. The service and amenities were 5 star! Not to mention the views which were pristine! Definitely going back and highly recommend you stay there too.🙂

We had an amazing time on this stunning lake for the morning tour. My partner and I were complete beginners, and Marshall was very patient and encouraging while guiding us. You can't tell from the photos, but I did stand up and was very proud of myself ;-).

Can’t recommend the sunrise paddle board enough! It’s the perfect way to start your morning and enjoy the lake at its calmest! Marshall, the owner, gets you set up with great gear and makes you a strong cup of coffee just as the sun crests! Finish it off with a refreshing dip in the water and start your day rejuvenated!

Great place to rent paddle boards on Lake Atitlan! The views are spectacular from this part of the lake so I highly recommend this activity. The owner was very nice and helped us get into the water. Q70 per person, per hour which is not bad at all.

Absolutely incredible experience out on the lake this morning, well worth the early start. The sunrise was beautiful and watching a volcano go was the cherry on the cake. Must do if you're in the area

Thank you so much for helping me book this sunrise tour just before I left—what an amazing experience! The sunrise was absolutely breathtaking! Marshall’s service was top-notch; he was constantly taking pictures for us, and I promise, your boyfriend won’t take as many photos as he does, and the best part is, they turn out so well! To top it all off, he provided us with hot coffee or tea in the midst of this stunning scenery, accompanied by calm and peaceful music. Marshall really knows how to enjoy the finer things in life. His explanations were thorough and professional, and even though it was my first time paddleboarding, I managed to stand up pretty smoothly! My only regret? I decided not to swim—should’ve gone for it! If you’re staying in Santa Cruz, as long as the weather is good, you absolutely have to experience this magical moment in the early morning when Lake Atitlán is still asleep.

Simply the best way to start your day on Lake Atitlán! I did the sunrise session and it was so peaceful and lovely. It really heats up once the sun is out and you can go for a refreshing dip to cool off. The prices are super reasonable for what you get and the atmosphere is great too! I would definitely recommend SUP Atitlan for all your paddle boarding needs.

Amazing!!! Book this paddle across Lake Atitlan! All around a fantastic experience; quick responses with Marshall (guide), board set-up and take out of lake, brought coffee for sunrise break, pictures, conversation and our own peaceful time. Feeling grateful to check this off my bucket list the day I added “Padddle across Lake Atitlan”!

Highly recommend this experience to connect with a traditional and sacred ceremony. The cave itself was a powerful place and our guide Alex was really amazing. He shared lots of wisdom, knowledge and encouraged questions. We had such a great experience, we invited him to join us for dinner afterwards and he took us to a great local restaurant and continued to share his amazing knowledge. Super grateful and glad i booked this experience and hope to bring others to do this in the future when back around the Lake.

Awesome place to rent kayaks on the lake. 70Q for an hour or 100Q for 2 hours. Highly recommend 2 hours cause the kayaks are nice and it gives you lots of time to explore the lake. Staff was nice and kayaks were quality ones. After returning the kayaks, you can also chill or swill by the dock

My family and I LOVED Los elementos!!! We kayaked with a guide to a cliff jumping spot, we climbed, we lunched with Lee and his family and friends, we hiked in the jungle and rock climbed. This was not only a highlight of our trip but really a highlight of my life. I also love that this company is also a non profit and helps the community at Lake Atitlan including training guides and education for the local kids. It was worth every penny and I will be back one day.

Imagine waves lapping on the shore, distant thunder brewing, sun going down over a shimmering lake, and a volcano back drop, while you relax in your own private lake shore space. Well that’s what you get at Lee and Elaine’s casita at Santa Cruz La Laguna. I had such a relaxing time at this beautiful little property Clean, private room and bathroom, with a little, outdoor, covered kitchen that had everything you would need to cook yourself a meal (except the food), filtered water system, nice fridge, stove… or go right next door for amazing food, drink and a view. Lee and Elaine were very helpful in giving me information about excursions and hikes. There’s even trails to a waterfall behind the property. Or you can rent a kayak or paddle board from them at very affordable rates and use their private dock. I highly recommend staying at Las Bonitas. I will definitely return!

We booked this experience at Lake Atitlán and it was everything we needed after a long few days of travelling. Lovely, private bungalow on a beautiful property with stunning views of Lake Atitlán. Lee and everyone on the property were all very pleasant, helpful, responsive, and made sure we had everything we needed for a relaxing stay, and we were able to rent kayaks to explore the lake. They have refreshments for sale on the property, and there are a few restaurants just a short walk away. Highly recommend booking this experience for your Lake Atitlán adventure!

I recently spent a few days of recreation around Lake Atitlan prior to managing a work event in Antigua, Guatemala. It was a last-minute decision to come early to sight-see and I reached out to Kayak Adventure Center to help me coordinate everything with one point of contact. Lee, the owner, helped me put together an itinerary of adventure activities around the lake and the private transfers I needed coming from Guatemala City beforehand and moving to Antigua afterwards. Lissette, my driver, was very professional in her communication for my pickups and then was wonderful to ride with. We talked the whole way and had great conversations. She was very friendly and a great driver. One day I did a sunrise hike at Indian Nose with guide Mario, followed by the two of us kayaking the lake and doing some cliff-jumping and swimming which was super fun, and then he took me to the zip-line spot in the jungle and made sure I was all set there before departing. I enjoyed my time with him and it was a very fun day. Zip-lining was also great as the circuit has you flying over a river in a canyon in the jungle with views of the lake, as well. The next day I did a one-on-one guided summit of Volcan San Pedro. It was only after I booked that I read the reviews warning of armed robbery at the summit in past years. I contacted Lee to ask him about this and he was very quick to reply and reach out to chat about it. My guide Pancho (Omar) also was very transparent about the concerns and made sure to check in at the trailhead about current conditions. We were told there was a police presence that day at the summit itself and many other tourists on the trail so we proceeded. We experienced zero issues, and we met many tourists on the trail who were all jubilant about the hike (it was not overcrowded at all but we didn't feel alone). The hike was difficult but not impossible and Pancho was always ready to support my pace or any breaks I needed, but also keeping things moving forward so we could reach the summit in good time. He was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the history and geology of the region and the culture and history of its people. We had great conversations the whole way and I really enjoyed the dense forest on the hike up. When we got to the top there were some clouds but they opened up here and there for amazing views of the entire lake and all of the many volcanoes along the horizon. I felt in good hands the whole trip with Lee and his team.

This place is heaven on earth! Lee and his wife(owners) were so gracious to me and 2 friends I was traveling with. The villa was very clean and surroundings/ landscapes were meticulous. The service and amenities were 5 star! Not to mention the views which were pristine! Definitely going back and highly recommend you stay there too.🙂

I had an amazing experience here! Eleazar is the best teacher! I learned a lot and had a great time too. The location is right near the boat dock and hostels. The setting is beautiful - on a roof overlooking the lake. Highly recommend!

I just wanted to pass on some of my thoughts regarding the school. I was first introduced to your school in June 2017. I walked into it and briefly spoke to the administrator about the program. I returned in June of 2018 to sign up for classes and the administrator remembered our conversation a year earlier….very impressive. My son and I spent four weeks in the school, studying 20 hours per week. It's a very professionally run organization. Every teacher we encountered was truly dedicated to their jobs. The coursework was on par or better than other schools I have attended. My background in Spanish: Learned it in college back in the 1990’s, studied in Antigua in 1994, and I have traveled all over North and South America. I found the curriculum to be diverse and completely applicable to a person with my level of Spanish. The school was quick to custom tailor and identify areas that I needed more work in. We then set out each day working on improving my Spanish. My son has taken Spanish in school here in the US (7th grade). What impressed me about his work in the school was how quickly the teacher progressed him through everything he was taught in school here in Texas last year. They had covered his entire school year in a matter of 2 1/2 weeks. That was a good thing for my son as being a young student, reviewing things is always important. Further, his teacher had a very kind and nurturing personality which is important for a student such as my son. The school administrator was ever present at the school, being a dedicated professional. Every day the students started off the day with a clean and presentable school. Her interactions with staff and students alike was always professional and courteous. The first week I was there was a bit slow as tourist season had just started. Several teachers had afternoon students so in the morning they passed their time preparing for the afternoon students. My teacher was excellent. Everyday he was well prepared. He really had an excellent understanding of Spanish Grammar. What I appreciate most about him was his dedication to identifying areas that I was deficient in and hammering me with drills and conversation in order to learn some of the more complicated grammatical structures. You need to understand that I have taken Spanish on a university level when I say this….He was on par with or better than many professors I had at the University of Texas. Further, in my occupation, I am an instructor as well. My instructor at the school was one of the top 10 instructors I have ever encountered. All said and done, we had a wonderful time. They have an amazing team there at the school. We were sad to leave having made some friends and really enjoying our time spent with them.

I had a wonderful experience taking Spanish classes here with Clemente. My teacher was confident and very knowledgable in both Spanish and English language and grammar. I am at the intermediate level and felt challenged and well guided to level up in both my writing and conversational skills. My teacher was also a great conversationalist, and we always had a nice time talking about the community here and current events. Pedro who runs the school is friendly and quick to respond to messages. They are reasonably priced, and it's a no brainer for Spanish lessons if you are staying in or near Santa Cruz.

I just returned from spending a week taking classes from 'Clemente' at the Santa Cruz Spanish School. The whole experience was one of the best I've had while studying Spanish in Guatemala. SCSS is a very relaxed atmosphere in a beautiful setting literally footsteps from the lake. The instruction was tailored to fit my exact level of Spanish. We focused on past tenses while taking time to address specific questions I had regarding structure and grammar. I have worked with several teachers in Antigua and San Juan La Laguna and have seen many different styles and abilities. Clemente is very experienced and easy to work with. He completely understands all the forms and tenses of Spanish and is able to translate difficult concepts to english. He speaks slowly and is easy to communicate with. Overall he was an excellent teacher and I would continue to work with him if I had more time here in Guatemala. Pedro, the school director, was able to accommodate my travel needs with both hotel booking and private transportation back to Antigua. He also speaks fluent english. Overall an excellent experience that I would love to continue!!

Pros 1. Excellent Teachers I took six hours of classes a day. Four in the morning with one teacher, and two in the afternoon with a different teacher. I wish my lessons had been a bit more structured, but overall I was very impressed with the quality of the teaching and how knowledgeable my instructors were. They were the part of the school I would return for! 2. Breathtaking Views Truly some of the most spectacular views of the lake. You can enjoy beautiful views from pretty much anywhere at the school as it is all open to the air. On a good day, you can even see Volcano Fuego erupting in the distance! 3. Personalized service I was able to have a significant say in what I studied as far as grammar and vocabulary, which was nice, as I want a general Spanish education with a focus in medical Spanish. Also, one of my instructors took me for a walking tour of Santa Cruz, and showed me some of the small coops where I could purchase fair-trade products. 4. Water We were able to get free (included), purified water at the school which was nice as they charged us to refill our small container at the Hotel Arca De Noe, and there is not a tienda by the water here. Cons 1. Activities The biggest drawback of this school, for me, was the complete lack of included activities. There was no socialization for students, and nothing organized to do after class. The activities were something I really enjoyed at the other Guatemalan Spanish Schools I attended, so this was disappointing. There is a tour agency that works with the schools, but their prices were absurdly high. They wanted over $250 USD for a day hike up one of the volcanos and even the closer, shorter hikes were prohibitively expensive. For comparison, I did an overnight hike up Acatenango, with food, guides and gear included for less than $60 USD, and the guides were all salaried. 2. Noise Not the fault of the school, but there are clearly not enforced muffler rules for the Tuk Tuks in Santa Cruz, as they would blare by every few minutes, making it impossible to hear for 5-10 seconds. Not a huge problem, but it got old after a while. 3. Insects Again, not the fault of the school, but class is held outdoors, so use bug spray! Despite the cons listed here, I would highly recommend visiting this school, and I thought Santa Cruz was a beautiful spot on the lake to relax and focus on learning language.

We took 20 hours of spanish classes with my wife. Maria was a really good teacher, we learned a lot and had fun in the same time ! The location is so beautiful in a quiet garden, with a view on the lake ! Pedro who runs the school is also very pleasant to communicate with

really nice staff and the most beautiful garden to learn Spanish in!

This stat was amazing from start to finish. Pulling up in the boat felt like arriving at the White Lotus Guatemala minus the murder. The staff were welcoming and on top of everything. The grounds are spectacular, the flora and fauna are meticulously manicured and there are so many little touches and hidden corners with spectacular views and beautiful flowers. The resort has many places to sit and read or hang out. Views at every level and the food was wonderful. One thing to note, you have to arrange a private boat back if you are going to be out at one of the towns later than 5:30. The hotel does not always have people at reception so be prepared ahead of time. It took us calling multiple times to get the boat arranged from San Pedro and it was about a 35 minute boat ride. Overall this is a great place to stay. Quiet, peaceful and surrounded by nature.

The service could have not been better. Leslie, Telma, Cruz, Idelma, and Nico are always willing to help with anything you need. Diego is the best boat captain in Atitlan and Oto the best driver/tour guide you can ask for. And Francisca’s food was AMAZING! I was a little worried about going vegetarian for 6 days but her food is exquisite and they have plenty of options, I did not miss having meat at all! The hotel is gorgeous has amazing massage services, and kayaks. The public transportation is so easy to use, they stop every 20minutes both ways (you just need to wave at them). The view is to die for, you see both volcanoes from your balcony!

I'm giving it 5 stars. Here's why. The space and ground are incredibly well thought out. It's a destination of itself with during areas, homes, art etc. It's peaceful, serene and romantic. Staff was solid and really pleasant. I'd stay here again. If you love lodges you'll like it here. But. You have to be headed home by 5 or you're on a private boat. So you're isolated, nothing really to walk to. That has to be what you want. And the restaurant... Maybe the fixed menu was better. And not terrible. It's just a head scratcher of a menu with some ok dishes. And very very slow.

The place itself is beautiful and peaceful. If you want to listening to birds or stay calmed, this is the right place. It's located 10 minutes away by boat, so, it's easy to get there. The only that I dislike a lot was the service. They need a good training in providing support, Booking the place was a mess, and even when we arrived, there was no one attending the front desk. Overall, it's a good place, a bit expensive for what they current offer

An amazing resort that has everything one could need from Hawaii like views to an amazing staff who can assist with everything from booking excursions, travel and anything needed to have a great time. Though the resort is vegetarian, they offer a huge assortment of delicious meals that make it super easy even if you’re a meat eater like myself.

We had the best 3 night stay at Laguna Lodge and it was the perfect place for R&R. From the amazing food (breakfast is included in your stay!), kind staff (Cruz was the best), and gorgeous property- Laguna Lodge had everything we needed for the perfect stay. Before our trip, we looked at numerous hotels across Lake Atitlan before deciding on Laguna and once we arrived we knew we made the perfect choice. We would recommend this hotel to anyone looking to relax and experience Lake Atitlan! Note, this property is only accessible by boat but it was easy enough to flag down water taxis / get boats back if you want to explore any of the other towns. I wouldn’t let this deter you from booking this amazing hotel.

Gorgeous views of the lake and volcanos. For the balcony view you must go up! Be ready for the stairs that lead to your room. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Sun chairs and umbrellas on the deck, paddle boards available, mini-hot tub, restaurant on site. Dock right at the hotel. Theres a lakeside trail to walk, about 20 minutes, to get to Santa Cruz - stay left - beautiful walk, mucho bella. The bed was very plush! The kitchen well appointed & plenty of water, coffee & tea. The private balcony with comfy sun chair & the stunning view was my favorite part of my whole trip! Get on a paddleboard & lay on your back & float!! 🩵🩵

Make sure to make it up the hill in Santa Cruz to purchase from these ladies! The quality is great and they have some designs i haven't seen in the market.

I did the weaving class, which cost 190 Q. You sign up the day before and can choose 2 colors. The classes are held in spanish, but its not really necessary to really speak or know a lot of spanish, since the woman helps you with the work. You do around 70% of the work yourself and can keep the scarf! The shop and the café is really cute too, so make sure to check it out!

Great store with homemade goods. Definitely a great place to support the local women

We had a great time in this beautiful and cozy store, cafe 😍 we took weaving (scarf) workshop with my partner and bought nice handmade gifts for friends and some decorations for our home, amazing ponchos and of course the scarfs from the weaving workshop! ☺️🙌🧣🧣💖 tasty food on the rooftop with great view and nice atmosphere, good people and energy ✨🙏 Thank you Pamelita and her big family!! 💖☀️

We loved everything about this store. First, it has been created by members of the community of Santa Cruz de la Laguna. Second, it helps employ and benefits members of the community. Third, the products made from the talented hands are priced very reasonably. We love handmade products that make an impact on local communities. We bought almost Q.1K of gifts. Highly recommend a visit.

A beautiful store with authentic hand made items. The people are very friendly and welcoming. Amazing cafe upstairs as well with a fantastic view and delicious food!

This shop is such a gem and it was so hard to choose only a few things that will fit in my suitcase. Everything is hand-woven, hand-made and absolutely gorgeous! HIGHLY recommend!

Pedro is absolutely the best guide! He shared so much information about the area and culture in our hike up the mountain to see the sunrise. He and Chepe took great care to ensure we felt safe and had an amazing experience; one of the best in my life.

Tours Atitlan is one of the best tour companies we have ever used anywhere!! From first contact with Pedro, who was very speedy with his replies and reassuring throughout the booking process to Domingo, who should he the guide of the year in our books! We spent a couple of days on the lake and we booked the "Full Day Atitlan Lake Tour" where we met and "fell in love" with Domingo, our guide for the day. What an exceptional guide he was, we raved about him after the tour during dinner, raved some more the following day during breakfast and even at the airport while waiting for the flight back home. Domingo meet us at our hotel, on time and enthusiastic. He briefed us on what to expect and where we would go. He shared his stories and the history of the towns on the lake but one could see that unlike a guide sharing the history of his country, this was more personal for him, these stories were of his ancestors and how proud he was of them. We left knowing so much more about the cultures of the lake towns and how unique they are to the culture of Guatemala. He took us down alleys that lead to colorful bustling markets, down painted streets to a local restaurant where you didn't see any tourists! We went to a local town gathering full with dancing and to a private home to see how a God is worshiped! Domingo moved to our paste, talk about reading the room. We plan to return to the lake again and will definitely be contacting Pedro and of course, will be hoping to see Domingo!!

Highly recommend booking your sunrise hike to Indian Nose with this group! First and foremost, this is not a hike you should do without a guide. The path there needs planning and someone who’s an expert in getting you there before sunrise (and in the dark). Isaias was our guide and he did a great job making us feel comfortable and being patient when we needed time to adjust to the incline / altitude. After the hike Isaias took us to his favorite coffee shop in San Juan and we still talk about how delicious the mocha was! 10/10 experience I would do it again!

We went on the sunrise hike to Indian Nose (also known as Mayan Face) and it was worth the early wakeup call, the views, and the time spent with our wonderful and very knowledgeable guide Isaiah. Most importantly this is a LOCAL business. Many tours are run by expats who don't know much about Lake Atitlan and Guatemala, so to support locals was the cherry on top of this great adventure.

Fabulous tour - Ask for Chai and Linda! Our group of 15 yogis had a great day hike to the summit of Indian Nose. We started our day by seeing colorful San Juan La Laguna and having a fresh roasted café in the village. Iziais (aka Chai) speaks perfect English and is deeply knowledgeable about local history and all flora and fauna. He and Linda led our group up the mountain telling stories, quoting Joey from Friends and pointing out every type of bird and tree along the way. Very fun. Cannot recommend enough

Highlight of our trip to Guatemala. we saw so many sights that we would never have known about without our guide Isaiahs. Also they were so easy to work with and quickly planned us a custom private tour based on our initial preferences. Best money you can spend! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had while traveling anywhere. The staff is incredible, kind and genuine. Domingo shared incredible knowledge about Guatemala and it’s history, I would highly recommend this tour. We felt so comfortable riding and loved the views. Absolutamente increíble!