Chalet

Lake Front Paradise/Nature & Mayan Culture Collide

Photo gallery for Lake Front Paradise/Nature & Mayan Culture Collide

Fitness facility
Private kitchen
Exterior
Room
Pool

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6140 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Santa Cruz la Laguna, Solola
  • Lake Atitlán
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Los Elementos Day Spa
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Panajachel Municipal Market
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Quetzaltenango (AAZ-Los Altos)
    ‪105 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Lake Front Paradise/Nature & Mayan Culture Collide

Nestled in the small highland bay of Paxanax, below the village of Santa Cruz La Laguna, our villa provides tranquility and stunning lakefront views of 3 unsurpassable sentinel volcanoes.

• Open space living area with fire place and fully equipped kitchen with WIFI
• 3 double bedrooms (1 with Queen Bed, 2 with 2 twin beds). 1 bathroom with bathtub.
• Exterior stairs lead you to the Master bedroom with uninterrupted tree-top views of the lake and the volcanoes.
• A large front terrace with hammock & with lake views used as eating/recreational area doubles the size of the house
• WIFI, a book library, DVD's, wooden floors, fireplace and views to die for
• Lake front garden filled with tropical flowers and fruit trees
• A private dock available for sunbathing, or to take long cool swims
• Public lancha (boat) goes back and forth every half hour or hour or let us arrange a private boat
• enjoy paradise while you rock in the hammock to the rhythm of the waves.
• Fresh groceries can be purchased in Panajachel every day or at La Iguana Perdida at their Saturday’s fresh farmers market
• Lake Atitlan provides a multitude of interesting daily tours and activities around the Mayan villages (see our manual)
• Yoga Classes, massages and other therapies are available nearby at Villa Sumaya

We will send you an email a week before arrival with a code for the lockbox by the front door where we keep the house key. Flor can arrange your pick up to take you to our Villa. You have access to the whole house. Mi casa, Tu Casa :)

• Our manager, Flor, in Antigua, is just an email/phone call away.
• Our caretaker, Santos will be close by too to help you rent kayaks or get more bottled drinking water.
• We provide you with a list on favorite day trips, restaurants and walks etc... and also tips for "off the beaten path" travel.

If you’re looking for a "different and authentic" vacation experience, Casa Paxanax is your perfect option. Located on the shores of famous Lake Atitlan. Santa Cruz is an authentic Mayan village, which is situated at the top of the hill, from where the house is located. Feel free and safe to walk around. If you are interested in Mayan culture, this is a must! There are several nearby bars/restaurants within walking distance to connect with other fellow travelers.

In the village, get around by walking to any of the nearby restaurants/bars or retreat centers. Santa Cruz is a 15 minute boat-ride away from the main town of Panajachel, but situated close to several bars and restaurants for easy access to entertainment and meeting other fellow travelers. Otherwise, you can always take a boat to one of the nearby villages to explore the lake!

• The home is located a short boat ride away from Panajachel. The public boats run daily, leaving every half an hour from 6am to 6:30 pm (cost is 10-15Q ($1.50-$2.00 per person).
• We can also arrange a private boat for you from Pana, (cost around $25)
• You will need to park your car in Panajachel, by the dock Kayucos Marina private packing. The cost is Q75/night.
• Shuttle service or Uber is also another way to arrive from Antigua, Xela or the City to Panajachel. We can help you organize your shuttle.
* For shorter term rentals, there is NO DEPOSIT.
* Utility bills for short term lets are included in the price quoted. For longer term rentals of 3 weeks or more, they are extra.
* It is understood that the house is located right on the lake front in a beautiful and remote part of Guatemala, only accessible by boat. It is paradise, but the terrain can be a bit rocky, so it is NOT SUITABLE for people who are not in good physical health.
* For longer term rentals, the security/damage deposit will be refunded within 20 days from termination of this agreement provided that Guest abides by all terms of this agreement. The damage deposit is to cover breakages and outstanding utility bills in longer term rentals. (So far we have not had to make any deductions for breakages, as we do not include small items, such as plates etc...)
* Well behaved Pets may be allowed - Please enquire with to the House Manager. An additional deposit may be charged.
* In the event of cancellation, a FULL REFUND of rental fees and security deposit may be made dependent on Owner's ability to rent to other parties for the specified rental period.
* I agree to have no more than people than those whose details have been included on the reservation for occupancy.
* CLEANING- We are following COVID 19 suggested regulations. Should you prefer not to have the house cleaned daily (Monday to Friday), to avoid contact with the cleaner, please let us know
* There is no parking on the premises. All cars must be parked close to the dock, from where you need to get a boat to the house which takes around 15 mins.
* I agree to keep the house locked when the house is empty.
* All pet owners shall clean up after their pets
* Residents and guests shall maintain a reasonable level of volume from music, vehicles, pets and day to day activities.
* This agreement shall not be assigned, nor the premises sublet without the written consent of the owner or his agents.
* I will maintain this property in as good condition as I find it and agree to replace or pay for any loss, or damage to the satisfaction of the owner.
* I agree that no occupants will smoke within the house. Smoking is allowed in outdoor areas.
* It is understood and agreed that owner of said premises will not be liable for any damages or injury to Guest or other occupants and their property from whatever cause arising from the occupancy of said premises.
* I agree to vacate said premises upon the termination of this agreement at the hour and date shown above. (Should you need some extra time to check out, we will do our best to accommodate you)
* Upon payment for the property & accepted by owner, this shall constitute a Legal Rental Agreement.

Property manager

Flor Garcia
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Santa Cruz La Laguna

Located in Santa Cruz La Laguna, this chalet is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Portal de los Dioses and Pascual Abaj are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Atitlán and Tzantizotz Nature Reserve. La Voz Coffee Cooperative and La Calle de los Sombreros are also worth visiting.
Map
Santa Cruz la Laguna, Solola

What's nearby

  • Lake Atitlán - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Los Elementos Day Spa - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Church of Saint Francis - 28 min drive - 18.2 km
  • Panajachel Municipal Market - 28 min drive - 18.3 km
  • Casa Cakchiquel Arts Center - 29 min drive - 18.6 km

Getting around

  • Quetzaltenango (AAZ-Los Altos) - 105 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Little Spoon - ‬29 min drive
  • ‪Sunset Bar - ‬29 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante El Cayuco - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante el chaparral - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Guajimbos - ‬28 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Front Paradise/Nature & Mayan Culture Collide pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Lake Front Paradise/Nature & Mayan Culture Collide?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake Front Paradise/Nature & Mayan Culture Collide?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lake Front Paradise/Nature & Mayan Culture Collide located?

Situated on the waterfront, this chalet is within 1 mi (2 km) of Los Elementos Day Spa and Lake Atitlán. Azul Maya Archaeological Museum and Casa Cakchiquel Arts Center are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 28 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 28 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Irene H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

This was my second time staying at the house. Love this place. Great value for money. Will definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful spot with spectacular lake and volcano view. Fairly well equipped kitchen. 3 large bedrooms - one upstairs with beautiful morning sun. Easy transport with local boat driver, though a bit expensive. Very accommodating to our changes in schedule.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sophie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible spot!

This house is perfect. Stunning, well-maintained gardens, private dock, comfortable beds. Couldn’t ask for anything better!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elvira Del

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little piece of paradise

The property and the view were absolutely amazing. The contact with Flor could not have been better and she made the trip from Antigua to Santa Cruz super easy by recommending a great driver and boat pick up. I will say to prepare to lose power at least for a little while. We lost it for 24 Hours, but it sounds like that length of time was pretty uncommon. The property and the people we encountered were all amazing. Would definitely recommend it and return.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ferdinand A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazingly unique!

This property and location is amazing! My favorite place sit and take it all in was on the hammock on the front porch! The view off the porch is to die for! Flor and her team did an amazing job communicating with us and making sure we felt special. I thoroughly enjoyed the culture on the lake and everyone on the lake was friendly!
Stayed 21 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

jason m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location and cute little house

Had some bad luck here with electricity being out first night but owner was great to work with and the house is right on the water and close to Panajachel which will be your main hub while staying there. Note that staying here you will take a boat everywhere and public boats just run til 6pm and private boats are expensive so plan to have some chill evenings in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Phyllis B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Beautiful views .. cozy casa on Lake Atitlan

I had an amazing stay at Casa Paxanax. My house was well equipped, nicely decorated with fresh flowers and what a patio. Nothing like eating a meal on a cool patio surrounded by beautiful potted plants and that view of the lake and volcanos. I enjoyed my private dock which I would go sit on everyday; soak in the sun , watch the boats go by and feel that I was right in the lake. Also enjoyed a swim in the lake. Paxanax is a short distance from where you can catch a tuk tuk to Santa Cruz, but public or private boats are easily available. I had a view issues with the house. Main one being that there was construction going on behind the house and on the neighbors house to the side. Started at 7 am six days a week. That was a negative because I was counting on more quiet while enjoying my patio and outdoor area. Overall, very positive feelings about my stay. Flora the property manager was extremely responsive and always got back to me if I had a question. Paolo the property caretaker was so friendly and always helpful. I had a cleaning lady come in several times and what a thorough and beautiful job she did keeping my casa clean. Thank you to all involved. I loved being there.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lance H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible home

My family stayed in Casa Paxanax for 4 incredible days. The location is amazing, the house is always clean and Flor is amazingly responsive to any questions. If you’re looking for a great place to stay on the lake I would not hesitate one second to lease this home. Honestly was one of the highlights of our trip to Guatemala.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Great place to relax by the water. Communication was great
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Billy K.

Beautiful house perfect for relaxing

We were a group of six and we all fit comfortably. The house was clean and well decorated. We spent most of our time on the deck having beers and fighting for the hammock and taking in the view. We came in pretty late and only stayed one night but would all gladly stay for longer. Flor and Santos were very helpful. They left us the cutest welcome baskets and were very available if we needed anything.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ennie H., Houston

Remote and quiet location right on the water

If you are looking for a quiet getaway on the lake, this is your house. Six of us arrived by boat after dark. It was quite an adventure pulling up the dock, but once we were on land we were truly in paradise. It is a smaller rustic dwelling, but the beauty is outside anyway. The sunrise from the dock, sunsets from the balcony, the hammock, the antique textiles are just a few of the great things about this house. We also walked along the trail to San Cruz where we found a great restaurant and lots of friendly locals. We highly recommend this house to adventure seekers and those looking for a quiet getaway. Not for luxury seekers.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kirsten W.

A beautiful place to stay for our girls trip!

We stayed at Casa Paxanax for a week in October. The property is exactly as it appears on this profile. It's absolutely awesome! Plenty of room for the four of us. Flor was incredible with her assistance before and during our stay. Santos the caretaker is very kind, though he speaks almost no english so when in doubt text Flor and all communication is made 100% clear. We reached out to the neighboring property Villa Sumaya in advance of our stay and were able to book yoga classes, a hot tub, massage services and enjoy meals there during our stay at Casa Paxanax...and you can even pay them in american dollars! They were awesome too! I really can't say enough good things about this place. Thank you to everyone that manages it!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen & Richard R.

Delightful

Great big house with excellent amenities, good lake access and great views. Easy to find and get to. A great bargain for my friends and I. Finally we enjoyed some space to spread out and some privacy. Highly recommended
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn C.

1st trip to the lake

We loved the lake and your home, we all had a great experience. Santos and Josefina are very helpful and beautiful people.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Chelsea B., Denver, Colorado

Beautiful property with quick access to Panajachel

The house was breathtaking and had great space. Awesome view of both volcanos (Atitlán and San Pedro).
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gerardo S.

Beautiful house and location

This place was amazing! Casa Paxanax is right off the lake. It was big enough for our party of 5 and was big enough for a family member that visited us for the day. The view is amazing and the view on the top room was even better. I would definitely return to this house.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Cristian P.

Great place, quiet, relax time, sad last night power goes down

This is a great place is maybe in the best place of the this area of the lake you can swin! If you don't mind some cool water, house is nice have everything you need but cable tv (anyway you don't need it). Pros: location, hot water, kitchen, chimney, people who works here (santos and cleaning lady) are really helpful, info book Cons: slow internet but a least we had it, pier is really a little high and if you have a lot of things is a little problem... santos help you out with you things, power goes down, we spend of last night and half of day with no power... sad Also I have to said that walking to Santacruz for me was so fun but is not for everybody really challenging, and maybe is worth it no many things to do there, stay on lake and have fun! Get all you need from pana or where you staying, reserve the boat you get a better price talk to santos or Paola... anyway I like the house maybe I come back
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marika R.

Peaceful

We loved our stay here. It is a charming rustic cabin on the lake outside of Santa Cruz. Santos is so helpful and the managers are great communicators making everything go smoothly. There are a couple restaraunts in Paxanax and you can walk to Santa Crux, but asking Santos to help get a boat is the best way to get around. It is really worth getting away from the bustle of Panajachel or San Pedro. Nt he nights are generally peaceful and the morning coffee on the patio is a dream when the volcanoes and lake are at their best. We loved he service and getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pablo E.

Simply great

I've rented other lakefront properties and our experience with this was outstanding. Communication with the staff and property owner was fast and easy, and they were always willing to help. Great views, cozy and well-equipped home. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a weekend with friends or family.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

I will definitely go back

"Philippa was great to work with and the place is like a "retreat". Very charming with amazing views. Well stocked kitchen for cooking and I would recommend getting a private boat to and from."
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Brinson B.

Wow! What spectacular views and great space for a family!

Wow! What incredible views! This is the second time I have stayed here and would highly recommend it! My family of five stayed here and everyone had a bed. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Rent a karaoke in the morning and take a swim to the right of the property on the rocks. Just amazingly beautiful!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lake Atitlan at its best!

We loved our stay at this lakefront home on beautiful Lake Atitlan! The views are expansive and unrestricted, best enjoyed from the hammock and outdoor dining table. It was the perfect way to unwind after some long days of travel. We enjoyed cooking in the well-equipped kitchen while our kids played games left for guests to use. The home is tasteful and relaxed, very comfortable, and the owner provides detailed information about what to do at the lake. The caretaker was wonderful and made us feel welcomed and safe. This was my favorite stop on our entire vacation. Very highly recommended!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Loved it!

Exactly what Lake Atitlan is all about: relaxed, laid back and charming. We had a blast.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

This listing needs updating.

We spent 11 days at Casa Paxanax in January 2013. The things we loved about this place were the fantastic lake and volcano views, the garden area, the patio, the roomy kitchen/dining/living room space, the upstairs master bedroom with private balcony and a helpful caretaker. However, there are several things on this listing and in the owner’s information sheet that did not line up with what we found when we arrived. 1) The wireless internet is not "wireless" in the true sense of the word. You must have a USB port on your electronic device to access it. A tablet device without a port will not work. 2) There was no barbeque grill 3) There is an extra charge if you use the house power boat. This was mentioned, but it was in quetzales, which wouldn’t mean much to most people. We found it much cheaper to travel by the public lancha. 4) Because the level of lake has risen so much, much of the gardens are under water. Do not expect to supply your table with fresh fruit from the garden. 5) There seems to be some debate about the quality of the lake water and contamination. We did not swim or get in the water, not wanting to become sick at this point in our travels. Thus swimming, snorkeling, and the rest of the water sport activities became null and void. 6) Many of the activities listed are not available at the house or in the bay, but at other locations around the lake. The VRBO site makes it sound like it's a resort area with all these things available right there. Other items of note: 1) The onsite caretaker doesn't speak any English, only Spanish. Problem resolution through the property manager by phone didn't work out very well for us, so through our broken Spanish, his broken English and sign language we managed to figure out most of the issues, but it was frustrating. 2) The living room area could use a couch. The photos show bean bags and that’s all there is besides a twin bed and a table with 1 chair. For younger people this may not be a problem. 3) Due to the high lake level there are no beaches and instead of the pleasant beach walk to the Santa Cruz dock area we were expecting, we were met with rocky, steep trails that the person who planned the trip could not walk on. Getting to the local restaurants on foot was not possible. In spite of the above, we still enjoyed our time at Casa Paxanax visiting the villages and riding the lanchas into Pana to shop for groceries, etc. The whole package was quite a cultural experience.

About the host

Hosted by Flor Garcia

Host profile image
From Britain, but spent my entire adult life in Guatemala, working in the tourism industry. I am now living in the Twin Cities, and trained as an addiction counselor. Very much miss Guatemala, but Paola, our lovely House manager is onsite to help you with one of our rentals. Do give me a call.... I appreciate any opportunity to be able to talk about Guatemala...the land of eternal Spring.

Why they chose this property

I bought this property in 2000, not expecting to live there, but to have the perfect retreat home for weekends. Circumstances changed, and we ended up living in this home for 5 years. Due to my studies, I rent the home out. If you love it half as much as we did living there, you will be happy!

What makes this property unique

The house is situated right on the shores of Lake Atitlan, and is really very peaceful. Nearby, you will enjoy the benefits of a few local restaurants, where it is fun to meet fellow travelers!

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests