CASA EL SUSPIRO, ATITLÁN

If you need to make any calls you can do so from La Iguana Perdida or if it is just a short local call you can ask Cornelio if you can borrow his phone. Cheap cell phones are available in Panajachel at a store called “Tikalito”, and for about Q300 you can get a phone that comes with a a lot of free minutes. Iguana Perdida offers electronic recharges only for Tigo phones.

There are a couple of ATMs in Panajachel, San Pedro and Santiago, but none in either Santa Cruz or San Marcos. Dollars and traveler’s checks can be changed inside the banks with your passport or at a bit of a lower rate at La Iguana Perdida.

As you can see you are surrounded by nature which is stunning but sometimes there are some insects that are less desirable. The scorpions that are occasionally found here are not deadly. If you are unfortunately stung a spoonful of sugar is recommended.

In Panajachel (Pana): There is a public mercado (open market with stalls) offering fantastic fruit, vegetables and herbs that is open daily until mid-afternoon with the largest day being Sunday. Pana also has 2 local supermarkets: La Torre and Despensa Familiar.

In Panajachel (Pana): There are a number of shops mostly up and down Calle Santander offering everything from the highlands, but be prepared to bargain! In San Juan: Highly recommended, San Juan sets a great example for the rest of the lake to follow. You feel a real sense of indigenous pride here, and the locals keep their lovely village spotless and clean. When you arrive on the dock there are local guides offering several different tours of both the natural and cultural attractions. Several women’s weaving cooperatives using all natural dyes are making beautiful products.

The lake is generally calm in the morning and wavy in the afternoon, so plan any water activities for earlier in the day. •Swimming: in the lake is fun and safe, just stay away from boat traffic by staying close to the shore. Never assume that boat drivers can see you! •Kayaking: Kayaks can be rented from Los Elementos, about 10 minutes walk away from the public dock in Santa Cruz for Q40/hour. Life Jackets are included and as always please stay far away from boat traffic for your safety. •Paddle Boarding (SUP): Tours and rentals available. Phone for info. tel: 4522-4869

Morning classes are generally available at the Iguana Perdida 5706-4117 or Hotel Isla Verde (tel: 7823-595). Stop by or phone for availability.

Claudia Cumes (tel: 4794-0816) from Santa Cruz offers a local cultural tour of the village every Friday starting at 9:30 am. She is bilingual and has a wealth of local knowledge and history. Tour cost is Q200 (aprox.) per person and includes lunch at Sabor Cruceño at the vocational center CECAP. Experience backstrap weaving and even making tortillas – well worth your while if you’d like to learn more about the local community, it’s culture and history.

Learn to prepare local dishes at CECAP. Two and a half to three hours, Q200 (aprox.) per person includes lessons and ingredients and you get to eat the results! Appetizer, main course and dessert. Contact Claudia Cumes for availability (tel: 4794-0816).

There are over 130 different species of birds that have been spotted in the Santa Cruz area. We recommend a local guide named Pedro Solis (tel: 5355-8849) who’s family runs the hotel Arca de Noe near the public dock. He is very knowledgeable about the local bird populations and speaks fluent English and is learning French as well!

Hiking in the hills behind us can be great fun. Remember to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water. Hiking is generally safe around the lake, but we recommend staying away from the village of Tzununa (between Santa Cruz and San Marcos) due to some robberies around that area. If you’d like a guide we recommend Lee Beal at Los Elementos who also rents out the kayaks, or one of the Solis Family (Arca de Noe). These guides are very knowledgeable and informative and offer tours not only around the lake but all over Guatemala.

One-on-one Spanish lessons are available by the day or week with teachers coming here from Panajachel. For a 20 hour week (4 hours x 5 days) a teacher charges Q550 (around $75) and will come to your house. If you just want to take a couple of hours of Spanish the cost is Q400 per hor plus Q10 a day for the teacher to come here from Panajachel. Contact Ana to organize.

Traditional backstrap weaving classes are held in the house of Manuela, a local woman from the village. They last around 3 hours and you will come away with a fun souvenir and fantastic memories. Everyone who has done this has loved it since it’s a chance to see how the people of Santa Cruz really live. The cost is Q75 per person and there is no minimum number of people. A family member will meet you outside the church in the village and walk you to their house where the class is held. Book same day or in advance at La Iguana Perdida.

Indulge yourself while you are here with a superb massage. La Iguana Perdida has a treatment room and a small team of meassseuses offering shiatsu, reiki, acupuncture, deep tissue and more.

Diving in a volcanic crater lake at altitude is a completely different experience. Ati Divers at the Iguana Perdida offers a range of courses from a trial dive for those who have never been, through all the PADI courses up to Divemaster. Information about the courses and their prices can be found at the Iguana Perdida, so stop and have a chat with de Dive Instructor.

Santa Cruz didn’t used to offer a whole lot for the tourist apart from some carved wooden statues in the 19th century church and great views of the lake. A visit to CECAP now makes the trip up the hill well worthwhile. Deedle is the one on board of a charity called Amigos de Santa Cruz who’s greatest visible achievement is a vocational center called CECAP. Students learn skills like carpentry, cooking, weaving, computer skills, English & more. If you have the opportunit, please go up to the village and see the place in action. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch.