WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Expect no rain from early November into April. Rains typically start somewhere in mid-April, growing heavier in June, then diminishing in July and August before returning in September and October.

Over the years, we’ve come to recognize the rainy season as offering another form of beauty: that’s when our gardens explode with greenery. It’s a great experience, having dinner on the covered terrace overlooking the lake in a rainstorm, as lightning illuminates the volcano across the water.

Called “the land of eternal spring”, the Lake Atitlan region enjoys a year-round temperature in the seventies—never uncomfortably hot or muggy, due to its mile-high altitude, with little to no mosquitos. Evenings are just cool enough that you might want a sweater.

In our opinion, there is no bad time to visit Guatemala.

CAN I SWIM IN THE LAKE?
You can swim off of either of our two docks, or enter the water more cautiously from the lower gate (or the private beach of Piedra Casita.) Because Casa Paloma sits in its own private bay, the water by our property is unusually clear, with no boat traffic directly in front of the swimming area.

You know the water here is particularly good because this is where the fishermen like to come in their wooden boats, right after sunrise.

We also provide two kayaks (one single, one two-person) and a stand up paddleboard. Life jackets are on the property.

While it is possible to make the entire trip (roughly 4 hours, depending on traffic) on the overland route, we always suggest that guests have our driver bring them to the lakeside town of Panajachel, where the driver will have a boat waiting to bring you across the lake (a gorgeous ride, around 20 minutes) to our private dock.

WHAT DO I BRING?
Pack light! But do bring the following: flashlight, hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, swimsuit, water bottle, and a sweater of shawl for evenings, when the temperature may go down into the sixties. We’ve got yoga mats, blocks and straps, walking sticks, and even a guitar. Just ask us.

If you need laundry washed during the course of your stay, we can arrange for our cleaning crew to take care of it. Just leave them something extra for their effort

HOW DO YOU FLY TO LAKE ATITLAN?
Guatemala is closer than you think, and for travelers coming from the US, the time change will be no more than one or two hours. Some cities (New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston) have direct flights. Even without a direct flight, you can find good connections (often through Miami or El Salvador.

For best prices, it helps a lot to book your tickets early. Holiday times—particularly Christmas—are the most expensive.

WHAT IS THE MONEY SITUATION?
The unit of money used in Guatemala is the quetzale. Current exchange rate is approx., 7.5 quetzales to a dollar. Though you can change dollars to quetzals at the airport when you arrive in Guatemala, we recommend that as much as possible, you avoid this since the exchange rate given at the airport is very low.

An alternative to the money exchange kiosk at the airport is a short stop at a cajero (ATM) on your way to the lake or—if in Antigua, if you stop there on your way. Cajeros can be found on nearly every street corner. The charge for a withdrawal is generally around 40 q (about $6 US). The maximum withdrawal per day is 2000 q, or roughly $240 US.

The village of San Marcos, where Casa Paloma is located, has one cajero.

Some charge cards can be used in Guatemala (though not in small shops or markets) but most charge a fee for international use.

WHY COME TO LAKE ATITLAN?
Called by many one of the most magical spots on the planet, Lake Atitlan and the surrounding countryside offers incomparable natural beauty as well as a rich heritage of Mayan traditions and respect for spiritual life. The village of San Marcos—a ten minute walk from the property—offers a wide range of healing opportunities as well as lively restaurants and cafes and purveyors of local crafts and a small nature preserve. But you don’t have to leave the property to experience nature: one recent guest to Casa Paloma counted thirty distinct species of birds, all observed (and heard) from the Casa Paloma gardens in the early morning hours.

Beyond the spectacular geography and rich natural life, the area remains rich in traditional Mayan culture. Women still dress in hand-woven, hand-embroidered huipiles. Families cultivate corn and some of the best coffee anywhere on the planet on terraced hillsides. The night sky is filled with stars.

IS GUATEMALA SAFE?
Like nearly every country on the planet, including the United States, Guatemala has areas where crime is a serious problem. You won’t be visiting those places.

From the moment you step out the door of the airport in Guatemala City, we’ll be looking out for you—with private transportation and experienced guides. Common sense dictates a few simple rules: Don’t walk alone at night, or take a hike on your own in a remote area. Don’t carry fancy camera equipment or wear expensive jewelry. We believe in erring in the direction of caution.

Our entire property is enclosed by gates, locked at night. There’s a safe on the property, if you choose to lock up your passport while you’re with us. We keep a lovely dog—Cuzmi—on the property. We have never had an issue with theft at a retreat.

WHAT ABOUT BUGS?
Lake Atitlan sits at a high altitude. It’s not the tropics. And it’s not a damp, humid place. You could easily go a week without seeing a single mosquito.

You will see spiders, and as noted, the only way to ensure that you wouldn’t requires us to use harsh chemicals. We don’t do this. It is possible that you may spot a scorpion in some dark place, which is why we recommend you check your shoes before you put your foot into them.

If you do get bitten by a scorpion, it will hurt for a few minutes, like a bee sting. But it’s not a serious problem.