Bolontiku Boutique Hotel and Spa on the shores of Lake Petén in Flores, Guatemala, is the newest addition to our dear friends at Cayuga Collection. For years, Clark mentioned that he was interested in expanding the Central America Portfolio into Guatemala (and possibly Belize) if the appropriate opportunity ever came around. When Cayuga mentioned that they were moving forward with this expansion, it was a no-brainer decision for us to join them. After all, Hans Pfister the Co-Founder of Cayuga, was the one who convinced Clark to expand into Central America and work with Cayuga Collection in the first place! Fate wins here.
This beautiful lakeside hotel is the perfect gateway to discovering the well-preserved Mayan culture (such as the Tikal National Park - now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) that ranges from northern Guatemala, into Belize and all the way into the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. With the Mundo Maya Airport in Flores a short 20-minute boat ride away and there are daily flights from Guatemala City, Bolontiku is easily-accessible from anywhere in North America. Travelers will typically spend a few days in Antigua or Lake Atitlan before or after visiting Bolontiku, making it a 6 or 7-night itinerary full of adventure.
Most visitors come to this northwestern region of Guatemala to explore Tikal and other Mayan (and Pre-Mayan) Archaeological Sites. The majority of hotels are based on Isla Flores and nearby the airport. Meanwhile Bolontiku is located about 20-minutes via pontoon boat ride from Isla Flores, making it the perfect base to rest your head in complete tranquility after a long day of adventures. Since Bolontiku is nestled in a plot of well-protected jungle along the lake, it is frequently visited by a plethora of wildlife. Animals such as a variety of birds, howler monkeys, and frogs. The best time to enjoy wildlife viewing here is at sunrise, which rises directly in front of Bolontiku (we recommend doing so from a kayak or paddle boat)!
Bolontiku is family-friendly, but also inviting for couples, solo travelers, and group travel. Lake Petén is safe for swimming, so guests can enjoy water activities year-round. The on-site spa overlooking Lake Petén is something not to be missed when visiting here, where guests can enjoy the jacuzzi while howler monkeys play in the trees above. There is also Mayan-style thermal sauna. Top it all off with dinner at the in-house restaurant where all of the ingredients are locally-sourced and the menu is customized by the excellent Cayuga Collection F&B team.
The owner’s are local Guatemalan people who love their country and hire local people making it an authentic experience. Combine this with Cayuga Collection’s 20+ years of sustainable hotel management in Central America and you have a recipe for something special.
PROPERTY FACTS
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Villa Retreat (2-bed, Full Kitchen), Lake Breeze Suites, Lake View Suites, Garden View Suites
B&B or Full-Board Meals; Excursions are A-La-Carte
Yes, WiFi Throughout and Complimentary
Open Year Round
Cayuga Collection
On-Site Massages (solo or couples) includes use of hot tub and Mayan Sauna
Restaurant and bar open for BLD, kayaks, paddle boats, full concierge tour service
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RATES
from $300, per person, per night
Bed & Breakfast
LOCATION: Flores, Lake Petén, Guatemala
Closet Domestic Airport:
The closest domestic airport to Bolontiku is Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS), located near the city of Flores. This airport serves the Petén region and is only a 5-minute drive away from the dock pick-up point for Bolontiku on Lake Petén. There are several daily flights to/from Guatemala City (La Aurora International Airport) and takes 1 hr 15 mins each way.
The most popular way to experience Bolontiku is to fly into Flores through Mundo Maya International Airport (FRS) from Guatemala City. Guests typically visit the historic town of Antigua or Lake Atitlan for 2 or 3 nights before or after visiting Flores and the historic Mayan Ruins such as Tikal.
However, Bolontiku is accessible by vehicle for guests who are visiting from nearby Belize. Many travelers will combine Belize and Guatemala in the same itinerary. These two destinations create the perfect combination of beaches with crystal clear Caribbean water, and thick jungles where several Mayan ruins and archaeological sites have been discovered.
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WHEN TO VISIT
Flores, Guatemala, located in the Petén region, experiences a tropical climate, characterized by two primary seasons: rainy season and dry season. Here's a breakdown of the typical weather patterns throughout the year:
November - April:
DRY SEASON
Mostly clear skies and minimal rainfall. In December and January, it can get cool at night with the temperature getting into the 60’s during the night. This is an excellent time to go because the weather for a visit to Tikal and other nearby Mayan archaeological sites is optimal — sunny, but not blistering hot like other regions in Central America during these times can get. These months tend to be cooler, sunny, and full of wildlife because everything is still green from the prior rainy months.
In March and April, the air tends to be more dry and less vegetation. However, rain is doubtful and you can guarantee sunshine. November is considered the shoulder season because there remains a chance of rain and thunderstorms (mostly at the beginning of the month)
May - October:
RAINY SEASON
Expect frequent afternoon thunderstorms, with rain showers typically occurring between afternoon and evening. The mornings are often sunny or partly cloudy. There are usually less tourists and more wildlife to see because the forests are lush green due to the rain — the reason why Cayuga Collection coined the rainy season “wildlife season.” This time of year brings lush, green landscapes and vibrant flora, making it a great time for nature lovers who enjoy the rain and the thriving natural beauty of the region. However, some trails in places like Tikal National Park may be less accessible due to rain.
May is considered the shoulder season for this region and is one of the best times to visit Central America. The dry season comes to an end and tropical showers begin. This brings epic sunsets, cooler evenings, sunny mornings, and migration of birds.
*There are many festivals that take place throughout the year in Flores and in cities like Antigua. Christmas, or any religious holiday like Easter are celebrated throughout Guatemala and are a great time to visit the country.
FOR FAMILIES
Kids of all ages are welcome at Bolontiku. The 2-bedroom Villa Retreat is ideal for families with children. There is also a connecting Lake View Suite that is for families with children as well.
The pool and lake are safe for kids to swim in, and there are lifejackets of all sizes free to use.
RECOMMENDED LENGTH OF STAY
The minimum suggested stay is two nights. However, three to four nights is ideal in order to have enough time to mix activity with relaxation.
Visiting Tikal and other nearby Mayan Sites take a full-day, and typically guests arrive later in the afternoon on the first day. Therefore, the perfect number of nights at Bolontiku is 4 because it is worth spending a full-day enjoying the spa, kayaking, and finishing with a sunset dinner at a local-favorite restaurant on Isla Flores.
UNIQUE SELLING POINTS
Bolontiku is the gateway to Tikal, one of the most impressive and best-preserved archaeological sites of the ancient Mayan civilization, located in the heart of the Petén rainforest. This UNESCO World Heritage site features towering pyramids, temples, and plazas, offering a glimpse into the grandeur and complexity of Mayan society at its peak between 200 and 900 AD.
They’re now part of the Cayuga Collection who has been leading the way in managing unique luxury sustainable hotels throughout Central America for the past 20 years.
Bolontiku is located on the shores of the lake, making it peaceful and quiet (staying in or near Isla Flores can be noisy).
The perfect access point to all of the best activities in the region — explore the lake, visit Flores and nearby villages, or discover Tikal or one of many Mayan historical sites.
Easily combined with Belize. Local DMC’s can handle land transportation and border crossing for guests who want to combine Bolontiku with the beach or scuba diving.
Those who enjoy local festivals and folklore will find that there are numerous dates throughout the year to attend festivals in the neighboring villages.
Active travelers who enjoy hiking and interaction with local people will really love the nature of the excursions from Bolontiku, which get people out into the landscape to interact with locals.
Anybody who has been to Peru to see Machu Picchu and learn about the Inca culture would absolutely love visiting Guatemala. The logistics are much easier to handle (especially for elderly people given the altitude of Guatemala is much less than the Andes), so it is an alternative with much less travel to see ancient Native American history. Plus it combines with the likes of Costa Rica where wildlife is plentiful and there are several wildlife preserves to visit in the jungle, and of course a highlight for many — hiking the volcanoes.
BEST COMBINED WITH
Guatemala is well-known for its towering volcanoes, historical cities, and ancient cultures. To see all of it in one itinerary is possible and we recommend 3-nights in Antigua, 3-nights in Lake Atitlan, and 4-nights at Bolontiku. The owner’s of Bolontiku also have a hotel in Antigua called Los Pasos. Several guests will visit Antigua for 2 or 3 nights prior to visiting Flores to make it a week-long itinerary.
If you’re looking to spend time at the beach or go scuba diving, then Bolontiku can be combined with your preferred destination of choice in Belize. Best arranged by a local DMC.
For those who are looking to do a deep dive into the Mayan culture and would like to see other structures such as Chichen Itza, it can combine with Mexico well.