Francis Ford Coppola clearly loves the wild corners of the earth. After filming Apocalypse Now in the Philippine rainforests, he opened his first lodge, Blancaneaux, in the mist-soaked highlands of Belize, and coastal Turtle Inn soon after. Then came La Lancha, on the shores of one of Guatemala's most stunning lakes, just 90 minutes' drive from the world-famous Maya ruins at Tikal.
Like its brethren, this place is cool, civilised and classy. Within moments of our arrival from dusty Flores, we were sipping cocktails by the 2-tiered pool and gazing out at the turquoise mirror of Lake Peten Itzá. Perched on a hillside and enveloped by a forestful of parakeets and howler monkeys, the lodge unfurls down the hill: open-sided restaurant and bar at the top, pool and sunbathing terrace on the next level down, and 10 charming and comfortable casitas below. Paths lead to the water's edge, where we swam and kayaked across the lake. The ever-efficient staff arrange excellent tours and activities.
Highs
- There's excellent friendly service and a convivial atmosphere
- It's a great base for exploring Tikal and Yaxha
- The refreshing swimming pool has a tinkling waterfall, as well as lake frontage
- The Guatemalan-Italian menu, with Coppola's own wine list
- High-quality tours and activities can be arranged through the front desk
Lows
- It's a remote location, far from any village, which ensures dependency on the hotel; and tours and extras aren't cheap
- The standards aren't quite as high as at the other 2 Coppola resorts
- There are steep stone steps up and down the resort - it's not for the unfit
- The La Lancha monogram on everything from plates to bathrobes may not be to your taste
Best time to go
It can be pretty hot and sticky all year round, although there's a welcome breeze from the lake. The busiest time to travel is December to March, when temperatures are 5 degrees cooler; July and August see the summer holiday crowd. Temperatures and humidity mount during the rainy season (June-October), but afternoon showers can bring respite, and Mayan sites are far less busy. However, try and avoid September-October, when the rains and humidity are at their worst.
Our top tips
Explore one of the archaeological wonders of the world - the spectactular Mayan ruins and temples of Tikal, surrounded by miles of unspoiled jungle full of wildlife. An hour north from Tikal is jungle-clad Uaxactun, where the Mayan calendar originated, and the solstice and equinox were first accurately observed.
- Boutique Resort
- 10 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
Spread across various buildings, the casitas all share tranquil, bright interiors: white walls and floors, Indonesian furniture and comfy beds adorned with colourful Mayan textiles. Lakeview Suites are larger, with marble bathrooms and panoramic views towards the lake; the smaller Rainforest Casitas have tiled bathrooms and face the jungle, with a partial lake view. Rainforest Junior Suites are in the middle, set back from the lake, but with good watery views.
Your terrace is shared with the casita occupying the other half of your building; each has its own Indonesian coffee table and wicker chairs, and a carved parrot or banana bunch hanging from the thatched roof. Bathrooms have spacious showers, hairdryers and bathrobes; towels are embellished with a flower decoration on arrival.
Eleanor Coppola's penchant for Mayan art is evident in decorative huipile (blouses), carved masks and colourful Guatemalan rugs and cushions. Candles and fresh flowers add to the welcome. High arched wooden ceilings and fans keep the rooms cool. There's no telephone, although you can make calls (with a surcharge) at the office.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
One of the delights of staying here is dining in the high-roofed restaurant-bar, open on 3 sides to the jungle and lake.
At breakfast , choose between beautifully presented fresh fruit platters, eggs cooked to order, or the tipica breakfast of eggs, plantains and refried beans. Juices, coffee and chocolate are all plentiful. Room service can be arranged if you're departing early for your tour.
Lunch begins with soup of the day, ceviche or salsa and guacamole. Mains include enchiladas, tacos, grilled marinated vegetables, fish or pork on rice and beans, and a simple range of sandwiches (grilled chicken, ham and cheese, BLT) and salads (tuna, chicken, mixed vegetables). A packed lunch can be made up if you're on a tour all day; let the staff know the night before.
There's an excellent and daily changing menu of Guatemalan and Italian-influenced dinner dishes. Certainly, we enjoyed our tamales (traditional beef and vegetables with baked corn dough) and roasted whole fish with a sea salt crust; and, on another night, charcoal-grilled pork chops with fennel, and a delicious seafood spaghetti. Other staples include grilled chicken topped with pumpkin seed dressing, and freshwater fish with chamula sauce, all served with tortillas, rice and refried beans. Try and leave room for desserts: the tiramisu and pannacotta are as good as any in Rome, while the banana or pineapple flambé with sugar rum is as juicy as it sounds.
There's an extensive (and expensive) house wine list, as well as beers, liqueurs and cocktails, all of which can be enjoyed at your table, or in the courtyard beside the fountain.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
La Lancha can arrange all manner of tours and excursions; book the night before with Lucy or Ernesto, and be prepared for some early starts...
- Lake Peten Itzá and its lakeshore villages are best explored by boat - shop for local wood carvings and textiles. Staff organise an excellent early morning bird-watching tour, with parrots, toucans, motmots, kingfishers, hummingbirds, falcons and vultures all on the agenda
- Go fishing on the lake with a local fisherman or horse riding in the beautiful rainforest around the it; you can also borrow kayaks and mountain bikes to explore independently.
- Sites worth seeing include atmospheric Yaxha, set on a pretty forest lagoon, and nearby Topoxte, the only post-classic Maya site in Peten. Further afield is Ceibal, considered the 'Mayan Art Gallery' with its well-preserved carvings - this is a long day trip
- Laid-back Flores, the island city, is used mostly as a transit point, with useful internet cafes, banks, tour operators and restaurants, but it also has pretty colonial buildings and native architecture; shop here for hand-woven blankets
- Near Flores is Skyway, a complex network of 6 suspension bridges joined by winding forest pathways, providing vantage points into different levels of the rainforest
- Ten minutes' drive away is Cerro Cahui National Reserve, which has several walking trails through the jungle. One leads up to a stunning lookout over Lake Peten Itzá
- Spanish language courses can be arranged; there are also several good schools on the north shore of the lake in the villages of San Andres and San José
- Swim in the lake or the hotel's pool
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Language courses
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Trekking
- Wildlife
Kids
Although this isn't a dedicated family hotel, adventurous children will relish the wilderness setting and wealth of outdoor activities.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
All rooms can hold an extra bed or baby cot. Lakeview Suites are the most spacious, with a double bedroom, a separate lounge with sofabed (sleeps 2) and two bathrooms.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available by arrangement.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
Child menus are available.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
La Lancha is located down an unpaved road on the north shore of Lake Peten Itzá, about 40 minutes from Flores and 10km from the nearest town of El Remate.
By Air
Flores (44km) is the nearest airport. It's served by some international flights and domestic links from Guatemala City La Aurora (500km), Guatemala's main international airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving each airport.
From the Airport
La Lancha can provide an airport transfer; local travel operators in Flores will charge a little less. Coppola Resorts can also arrange a flight from Turtle Inn and a 2-hour overland trip from Blancaneaux Lodge, both in Belize.
By Bus
Buses from all over Guatemala go to Santa Elena, beside Flores.
By Car
Driving around Guatemala is certainly possible, with relatively empty roads and friendly locals, but bear in mind it's expensive, and parking and security will be your biggest concerns. A good working knowledge of Spanish will help your cause. For car hire see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be provided after your booking is confirmed.
More on getting to Guatemala and getting around
Airports:
- Flores 44.0 km FRS
- Guatemala City - La Aurora 500.0 km GUA
Other:
- Beach 0.2 km
- Shops 10.0 km
- Restaurant 10.0 km