An intimate rainforest retreat above the shores of Lago Petén, near the Mayan ruins of Tikal.
La Lancha is a quaint, 10-room lodge decorated with furniture, fabrics, and carvings from Guatemala, personally selected by the Coppola family.
Choose from a Suite or Casita, each offering views of the lake or rainforest and designed with every comfort in mind. Unwind in a hammock on your private deck, or enjoy the open-air, thatch-roof restaurant, where authentic Guatemalan dishes are served against a backdrop of stunning views.
What we love about La Lancha
- The proximity to Lago Petén, with its ever-changing blues and greens, perfect for a dip or sunset boat ride.
- The magical lakefront spot for private couple dining and family dinners with up to 14 people.
- The impressive range of activities and on-site amenities, all with a personalised feel and deep connection to the landscape and culture.
- The short drive to Tikal National Park, making it easy to explore one of the world’s most remarkable archaeological sites in a day.
- The thatched-roof casitas, set among lush jungle, each with its own balcony overlooking the lake or forest canopy.
- The open-air pool area, surrounded by tropical plants for sun and shaded spots to relax.
- The property’s collection of Guatemalan art and textiles, adding a sense of place to every space.
- The friendly, knowledgeable staff who help arrange everything from guided hikes to craft workshops with local artisans.
There is no shortage of things to do, if you can pull yourself away from your hammock.
Culture is always near at hand here, with Tikal, the epicentre of Mayan spirituality, a short drive away. Buried deep within the rainforest, the ruins include more than 3,000 structures where moss clings to the steps of ancient temples and plazas.
A boat ride away is The Skyway, a series of six suspension bridges to explore the different strata of the rainforest. There’s even a zip line for the adventurous. The return trip includes a short stop in Flores, with its arts and crafts shops.
Close to La Lancha, enjoy horseback riding or activities on Lago Petén, Guatamala’s second largest lake, including kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. For something more leisurely, take a sunset boat ride, enjoying a glass of Francis Ford Coppola wine as the sun disappears behind the forest canopy.
There is also full menu of on-site activities from tortilla-making and pottery to Spanish language classes.
Finally, there’s Bocce – an Italian game (similar to lawn bowling or petanque) loved by all in the Coppola Family. At La Lancha, enjoy a game of Bocce before dinner, cocktail in hand, taking in the lake view.
La Lancha is located in the most northerly department of Guatemala, the Petèn, and is very close to the border with Belize.
Several airlines fly into La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, and from there travel via local airlines to arrive at Mundo Maya Airport, where it is a 45 minute drive to La Lancha.
When to travel
November to April is the dry season and the best time to travel to La Lancha, with hot days and cool nights.
The upside of the wet season, from May to October, is that Mayan ruins have fewer visitors than in the high season, and the rainforest is at its lushest green. There are also sunny mornings, with showers occurring mostly in the afternoon.
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Looking for more inspiration? Learn more about our bespoke holidays and adventures in Guatemala, or discover our other luxury properties.
