Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sailfish Bay Lodge in Iztapa
The Pacific Coast
On the ninth terrace of Takalik Abaj, Takalik Maya Lodge gives you the option of staying
in quaint jungle cottages painted with yellow and green frescoes or on a converted cof-
fee farmhouse overlooking a swimming pool and a coffee-drying patio. Explore the ruins
by tractor-pulled trailer from the lodge. If you want to see Guatemala's version of Disney
World, check out the well-executed Xocomil and Xetulul theme parks and stay across the
street in the excellent Hostal Palajunoj, where you can choose among African, Indonesian,
Mayan, and Southeast Asian-style accommodations. Eat at Restaurante Kapa Hapa over-
looking the swimming pools.
From here, head east to the beach at Monterrico and check in to the Dos Mundos Pacific
Resort, featuring cabanas with the feel of an exclusive Mexican beach villa, or the modern
but manageable Cayman Suites along the road to Iztapa. Continue west to Iztapa for sport-
fishing based out of the Sailfish Bay Lodge or just enjoy the atmosphere at this beautiful
seaside resort.
Izabal
For the ultimate private getaway, head up the Río Tatín, a tributary of the Río Dulce, to
Rancho Corozal, a sumptuous thatched-roof private villa beautifully furnished and decor-
ated. Use the skiff to explore the surrounding jungle rivers or simply relax in the hammock
lounge with a good book.
Petén
Fly up from Guatemala City with prior arrangements to have the friendly folks at Francis
Ford Coppola's La Lancha pick you up. Enjoy the 45-minute ride from the airport to your
lakeside resort. For activities, there are hikes to the nearby Cerro Cahuí forest preserve,
fishing onthe lake, shoppingforwoodenhandicrafts inthe village ofEl Remate, orsimply
loungingbythepooloverlookingtheturquoiselakewatersandbeautifuljungle.Takeaday
trip to Tikal and/or a half-day trip to Parque Natural Ixpanpajul to walk along a series of
hanging bridges in the forest canopy. As a further option, do as Mel Gibson did and take a
chopperuptotheremoteruinsofElMirador,deepinthejunglestothenorthneartheMex-
ican border. It sure beats walking through knee-deep mud for two days from the nearest
village.
