Property is close to Tikal's imposing temples
Northern Guatemala’s lowrise Bolontiku Hotel Boutique & Spa is near some intriguing highrise structures that long predate Guatemala’s tourism trade.
The property — part of the Costa Rica-based Cayuga Collection, which has resorts in different parts of Central America — is close to Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site attraction home to a large number of ancient Maya Civilization ruins, among them five towering temples that rise well over the jungle canopy.
“It’s very cultural. It’s almost like going back in time,” Turney Maurer of CK Representation, which represents the Bolontiku in North America, said of the area during a recent webinar.
Reminders of the Mayan Civilization — which flourished in Guatemala, Belize and parts of El Salvador, Honduras and parts of Mexico over 1,200 years ago — are still very visible throughout Guatemala.
The hilltop Bolontiku — which overlooks sprawling Lake Peten and is found near the town of Flores — has 16 rooms and a 2-bedroom villa, with guest units having king beds or 2 queen beds. Also found are a spa that has hot tubs and a sauna; restaurant; heliport; pool; and walking trail. Guests can also opt for such aquatic activities as kayaking and paddleboarding.
Mayan influences can be seen around a resort that’s part of a collection that says it offers sustainable luxury. Guests can opt for packages that include breakfast, lunch and dinner if they wish.
The property is near an airport offering daily Guatemala City service. Maurer suggested guests stay four nights at Bolontiku, spending some of their time at the likes of Tikal and at least some of the rest putting their feet up.
“It’s really important to spend a day relaxing, enjoying all that Bolontiku has to offer,” he said of a retreat found in an area great for birdwatching.
The area’s proximity to Belize means it and Belize can easily be combined on the same vacation, allowing visitors to experience Belize’s “beaches and scuba diving with jungle and Mayan ruins” in Guatemala.
Meanwhile, the interior Guatemalan city of Antigua — once the country’s capital and popular with tourists because of its colonial architecture found in a scenic setting flanked by volcanoes — is home to the Hotel Los Pasos, which Maurer described as a “sister property” to Bolontiku. Los Pasos is a colonial architecture structure that includes a spa.
Maurer also said energetic tourists can go on hikes of up to 4 days between Antigua and scenic Lake Atitlan, another Guatemalan tourism mainstay. The Adventure International tour hikes use “glamping tents, ” Maurer reported.
Maurer praised Guatemalan landscapes, stating the country is “known as the best place to hike and see volcanoes in Central America. “
More information can be found at cayugacollection.com or hotellospasos.com.
