Guatemala /Aug 29, 2017
I don’t know of that many hotels with their own, private lake. I know even fewer – well, one actually – with both a private lake and an island inhabited by monkeys. Welcome to Monkey Island at Las Lagunas hotel.
Located a short drive from the town of Flores, in Guatemala’s Peten region, Las Lagunas is a small, luxury hotel set in a 300-acre private reserve. Within this reserve there are no less than 5 lakes, with the hotel itself built facing, and over, the largest of these lakes, Laguna Quexil. Within Laguna Quexil there are then 2 islands, one of which is dedicated to the breeding and care of spider monkeys.
For those staying at the hotel (but also for visitors, by advance booking), a small launch takes guests out to the island to witness the monkeys being fed fresh fruit and vegetables. It is not possible to set foot on Monkey Island but that really doesn’t matter because, on hearing the approaching launch, the monkeys will soon descend from the numerous overhanging trees to claim their delicious treats.
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Occasionally, some of the bolder monkeys will even jump onto the boat but don’t worry, they aren’t big and there is always an expert guide on hand to manage the situation.
After visiting Monkey Island, the launch will continue with a tour of the lake which is surrounded on all sides by lush vegetation; it really is very beautiful. It’s so beautiful you might feel tempted to jump in for a swim. Don’t, the lake is also home to crocodiles.
For those who want to enhance their experience still further, it is possible to visit Monkey Island on a private basis and to include whatever nibbles (no, not bananas) and tipples you desire.
With so much protected land, not to mention the aforementioned 5 lakes, Las Lagunas is also a great place to spot a wide variety of bird-life. For those seeking something more active, the hotel also has a selection of mountain bikes for guests’ use.
Depending on timings, it may be possible to combine Monkey Island with a visit to nearby Ixpanpajul Natural Park.
For further inspiration, please visit our Things To Do In Flores feature.
This classic Guatemala itinerary starts in the Highland region, taking in Antigua, Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlan amongst others before heading north via Quirigua, Livingston & Rio Dulce to the vast flatlands of Peten, home to the great Mayan cities of Tikal & Yaxha.
No single itinerary can ever succeed in being entirely comprehensive but the 3-week, Complete Guatemala comes pretty darn close and even provides the option of quick detour into Honduras.
Starting in Flores and ending in Antigua, this itinerary takes clients on the backroads of Guatemala, visting sites and regions that the vast majority of visitors to the country never see. The travel isn't always easy or comfortable and accomodation options very limited but, for those who like to...
Few holidays to Guatemala don’t include time spent in Flores and, with so much to see and do, it can often be a case of deciding what you’re going to miss out on.
Ixpanpajul Natural Park is less than 30 minutes’ drive from Flores and is probably best described as an eco-adventure park.
Largely over-shadowed by the far more famous Tikal, few visitors to Guatemala's Peten region visit the nearby, equally fascinating, Mayan city of Yaxha.
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Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
