'''Santa Cruz la Laguna''' is a small town on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Get in
From Panajachel or San Pedro you can take a public "taxi" boat to Santa Cruz for 10/20Q per person. They pass by every 30 min or so from 6am to 7pm. Can ask the boat captain to drop you in any hotel you choose. To get the feel of the town the best option is to walk around, since there is no road access, but you can stop a public taxi boat any time to go any other town or spot around the lake...
Get around
Walk, walk, walk and enjoy the sceneries... you can stop for a swim or at the different cozy hotels and restaurants around this charming little town, the only one left at Lake Atitlan with no road access!
See
Do
Santa Cruz Spanish School. 502-53 55 88 49. antacruzspanishschool@yahoo.com. ttp://www.tours-atitlan.com/default.asp?p=6. ndividual training $4-$5/hr for 10-30 hrs/week. Add $50/week for homestay. Led by Pedro Juan Solis, who has been teaching Spanish for five years (as of 2008). Study in a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere surrounded by nature.
Skin Diving Rentals at La Iguana Perdida
Kayak Rentals at La Iguana Perdida
Nature Preserve nearby
San Pedro night life a short water taxi ride away but none of the hassle or theft.
Buy
Eat
La casa en el aire. ttp://islaverdeatitlan.com. otel@islaverdeatitlan.com. n the waterfront, path from Santa Cruz to Jaibalito. 5633854. ttp://islaverdeatitlan.com. Located on the waterfront you can lounge their beach area for swimming and sunbathing while being served the most delicious food. Everything is cooked from scratch using the best produce -their own herbs, fruits and vegetables when in season- with a very special presentation. Also prepare their own fruit drinks, desserts and have a cocktail menu!
Drink
Sleep
'''Arca de Noe''', located on the lake, is affordable with a quiet rustic ambience, and has a good restaurant. http://www.atitlan.com/arca.htm
'''La Iguana Perdida''', Santa Cruz La Laguna, tel. 7762-2621, 5705-4117. http://www.laiguanaperdida.com/ If you are looking for somewhere to get away from it all for a few days this place is ideal. It is located on the edge of the lake right by the boat stop for Santa Elena La Laguna. La Iguana Perdida makes a nice change from Panajachel. This medium sized (sleeps 80+) hostel has no electricity or hot water, although they do have a sauna which helps in the cold nights. The hostel works on a trust basis. All drinks and food are paid for on checkout. Apart from hanging around the hostel and diving there is nothing else to do on this site. To get here take a boat from Panajachel heading towards San Pedro la Laguna. Update: the place has electricity in some of the rooms.
Sha Ryan Ka"url= "http://www.sharyanka.com" . phone ="502 5157 0707. or 502 5780 2744. http://www.sharyanka.com . A Santa Cruz guest retreat which consists of 3 unique cottages and a main house which lay on the northern shore of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. This magical lakefront home has views of 3 volcanoes from a large veranda. Sleeps 6 with a fireplace in the living room and an indoor/outdoor bathroom that was photographed for a European architectural magazine. Also are three unique, fully equipped cottages with hot showers and kitchenettes. All have relaxing lake view balconies and are available from $400 to $500 per month. Daily prices start at $25, weekly at $125. The main house rents for $1600 a month. All are Half price in the off season from mid May to the end of October. All rentals include access to beautiful well maintained gardens, sauna, private dock, meditation gazebo looking out to a waterfall.
'''Villa Sumaya''', An elegant, yet simple small lake-front hotel near Santa Cruz La Laguna, accessible only by water taxi. The owner has an amazing knack of adding beautiful, subtle touches everywhere you look. The food is great, and there are good vegetarian options. The "Blue Tiger Temple" is the most beautiful meeting/yoga room I've ever seen. It's not the cheapest place on the Lake, but its unique and still very reasonable.
Hotel Islaverde. n the waterfront, path from Santa Cruz to Jaibalito, you can walk or ask to be dropped at their private dock. 7602648. ttp://www.islaverdeatitlan.com. A funky environmental hotel on the shores of the Lake, just a short walk from the main dock, in a very safe and clean area for swimming and Kayaking. 8 private cabins with breath taking views of the lake, huge gorgeous gardens with so many flowers you will be delighted with the visit of tons of birds. Waterfront lounge, yoga, massages, natural spa therapies and a great organic restaurant.
</sleep>