Vacation Rentals by Owner

Travelers' Choice 2013 Luxurious Lake View Private Beach Villa [#357251] | View Property

San Marcos La Laguna
Villa, 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
$75 / night or $495 / week
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Traveler Reviews (29)

• Wow! Bonnie is awesome!

  Wow! Bonnie is awesome!

  • Guest DonB
  • Date of stay 04/03/13
  • Review Submitted 04/03/13
  It is hard to find people in the world who still get that being nice is step one. Such a loving and caring person. We have not been on our trip yet. But, if its is anything like her we are going never forget it. Thanks Bonnie.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

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• Amazing stay!

  Amazing stay!

  • Guest Sarah B.
  • Date of stay 03/16/13
  • Review Submitted 04/17/13
  We arrived in Lake Atitlan (the most beautiful place in the world!) after 15 hours of traveling and in the rain. It made me wonder (for a second)... why didn't we just go to Jamaica? But then our lancha pulled up to the dock at Casa Colina... Oh my goodness! SO gorgeous. David met my boyfriend and I at the dock with two umbrellas and immediately helped us with our bags. He led us up to the "hilltop house" where they had candles lit and a fire in the fireplace for us (the power had gone out that day). At our request, they had arranged to have Isabel, a delightful indigenous Mayan woman, make us a delicious and authentic Mayan dinner. We were in heaven, and it kicked off the best vacation ever. Casa Colina is absolutely amazing; it exceeds all the photos they have posted. We loved the house and all of the amenities there. Each morning we woke up early, walked down to our private dock and enjoyed watching the sun rise over majestic volcanoes while sipping amazing Guatemalan coffee. The day took off from there- one day we spent at the house just enjoying the lake; others we took the lancha to nearby villages to explore. It was perfect! To say David and Bonnie were hospitable would be a huge understatement. They were absolutely lovely, friendly, outgoing, and helpful in every way, without being too close (we definitely still had enough privacy). They helped us with coordinating travel plans, private lanchas, drivers, and anything we needed to make our stay absolutely perfect and stress free. They were even gracious enough to invite us over to there lovely home for happy hour! Truly fantastic people and it was a pleasure to meet them. My boyfriend and I are already talking about our NEXT trip to Guatemala. It is a magical place, and if you get the opportunity to go I would highly recommend staying with Bonnie and David. Cheers!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Beautiful oasis on Lake Atitlan

  Beautiful oasis on Lake Atitlan

  • Guest travelingtroll
  • Date of stay 03/12/13
  • Review Submitted 03/26/13
  I visited Casa Colina with my family and we had a wonderful time. The owners are personable and helpful - they provided recommendations for places to eat and people to connect with, and none of the recommendations let us down. It's an excellent "home base" for exploring the lake - the private dock / swimming area is a great bonus. I highly recommend using this property and look forward to visiting again myself!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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• This is a place we would love to return to...

  This is a place we would love to return to...

  • Guest Colleen g.
  • Date of stay 01/14/13
  • Review Submitted 03/16/13
  My husband and I recently enjoyed a most relaxing vacation during our three weeks at Casa Colina. Bonnie's prompt responses to our email requests for additional information, the wealth of knowledge she and David were able to provide about the villages around the lake, their willingness to connect us with individuals living in the area, as well as their ideas about possible activities, all helped to make our time there an exceptional experience. Casa Colina was a clean, comfortable house with a wonderful bed, beautiful artwork, a fireplace for cooler evenings, and amazing views of the lake from every window. We spent many hours on the patio in the comfortable chairs, watching birds, looking at the gardens, and mesmerized by the ever changing views over the lake. The staff were great- we loved Gaspar's friendly, smiling presence as he tended the beautiful gardens, and Maria was a great help with the cleaning and laundry-she also makes great pancakes! We thoroughly enjoyed our meals prepared by Isabel...she's a fantastic cook and a pleasure to have around. The casa's location up 172 beautiful stone steps from the lake was easy access by boat to the many villages, providing multiple options for many interesting excursions. We hiked and rode tuk tuks between villages, learning about their different lifestyles and observing their handicrafts. We especially enjoyed a visit to Shad's organic farm with Bonnie and David, where we learned about the local plants and Shad's efforts in developing sustainable farming practices. For us, the tranquility, beauty, and privacy of Casa Colina made this one of our favorite vacations. As we settle back into our busy lives, we often reminisce about Guatemala and, in particular, Casa Colina.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• A perfect week at Lake Atitlan

  A perfect week at Lake Atitlan

  • Guest Beth
  • Date of stay 12/29/12
  • Review Submitted 01/14/13
  We had a perfect week at this beautiful villa, located in one of the most breathtaking sites you could imagine. The house was elegant and comfortable. We had absolutely everything we needed, from glass pitchers in the bathroom for potable water to comfortable outdoor seating in the most picturesque locations on the property to the incredible sauna and warm and informative owners. We took walks to neighboring towns, boat rides to other locations, spent tranquil hours in the house and on the property. This is a magical place, and we hope to return soon!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Magnificent - the perfect holiday!

  Magnificent - the perfect holiday!

  • Guest Rebecca S.
  • Date of stay 12/21/12
  • Review Submitted 01/20/13
  My family and I stayed at Casa Colina for 6 nights over Christmas 2012 and had an absolutely amazing time. The home was perfect for what we needed - 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, big kitchen and living area with stunning views across the lake to the volcanos. Bonnie and David were extremely accommodating, helping us with anything we needed and were even lovely enough to invite us to their brunch drinks one morning! The lake is also great for swimming, with a little jetty that we would sit on and soak up the amazing views. I would highly recommend Lake Atitlan and, in particular, Casa Colina as a holiday destination for anyone. It has a little bit of everything - from relaxing to adventure (with volcanos to hike and villages to explore). Thanks for an unforgettable holiday!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Fabulous time!

  Fabulous time!

  • Guest Shane
  • Date of stay 12/01/12
  • Review Submitted 12/20/12
  We spent a week at the property and enjoyed it so much! The house, gardens, staff and LAKE were all perfect. The owners were so welcoming and couldn't do enough to make our stay just perfect. This is truly a magical place - can't wait for my next visit! Highly recommended for adventure travelers or those just looking to kick back for a week. So convenient and a great alternative to a Caribbean vacation.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• The best property and owner on Lake Atitlan.

  The best property and owner on Lake Atitlan.

  • Guest Sarah A.
  • Date of stay 11/29/12
  • Review Submitted 12/01/12
  I would not hesitate to recommend this charming house to anyone and everyone. My daughter and I had a great time and found the house to have everything you could ask for. It was clean and well maintained and we received so much information about Lake Atitlan from the owner before we arrived which was great. We loved the whole lake Atitlan experience and used the boats and the little taxi (Tuk-Tuk) to visit all the little villages around the lake. We would love to return one day with other members of our family.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• The most beautiful place in the world!

  The most beautiful place in the world!

  • Guest Venera K.
  • Date of stay 11/26/12
  • Review Submitted 11/30/12
  We were lucky enough to stay at Casa Colina for one week in November, 2012. The house itself is beautiful and spacious. It has the warm feeling you get when staying at a friends house.....there was lovely local art work, candles and beautiful flowers. So much nicer than some of the very sterile impersonal houses we have stayed in! Without ever meeting Bonnie, I feel like she shared so much of her warmth and personality with us through this beautifully constructed and decorated home. The Casa Colina house has an open floor plan, high ceilings, huge windows. A spacious master bedroom with queen bed that has a private marble bath. A spacious beautiful marble master bath with high ceilings. Charming 2nd bedroom with queen bed, spectacular lake views from every room. Cozy 3rd bedroom with two twin beds. The views from everywhere in the house were so incredibly that it was difficult for me to put my camera down! The sunrises on lake Atitlan are spectacular,possibly only outdone by the sunset The house was very clean and furnished with everything we needed and either Maria or Gaspar brought us incredible fresh tortillas every morning. We had breakfasts on the patio overlooking the lake and three volcanoes that I will dream about for years to come! An American style kitchen has everything. We had great food in San Marcos, we went all over by tuk-tuk, we kayaked, we swam off the end of the dock, we played with the dog and we chatted with Gaspar and Maria (as best we could with limited Spanish.) Bonnie suggested that we might want to bring some school supplies/shoes to a local school. We did this and had a lovely visit at Caracol school. It is easy to visit other towns on the lake, either by boat or by tuk-tuk and I would highly recommend doing so. We stopped in Panajachel to get groceries but found that really the small stores in San Marcos had everything we needed. Thank you Bonnie for sharing your beautiful paradise with us!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Amazing hosts and property!

  Amazing hosts and property!

  • Guest mamacinco
  • Date of stay 11/16/12
  • Review Submitted 01/09/13
  Our large and overwhelming group of 4 adults and 5 children invaded Casa Colina for 4 nights in November. I knew from the minute I saw Bonnie and David on the dock waving at us that we were in for a treat. They were never uncomfortable or bothered by us. On the contrary, they only seemed to enjoy the invasion. Two of our boys have ADHD and they can get a little wild at times. We always felt welcomed and comfortable. Bonnie is an amazingly warm and gracious hostess. Bonnie and David went way out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed during our stay. They made sure the kids had swim toys to play with, David helped us with the TV/DVD player, and also accompanied us on several very nice albeit vertiginous walks up the hill. They are both very knowledgeable about the area which helped a lot. The house and the setting are stunning beyond belief!! We are already plotting how to get back!!! If you want to know more you can email me I believe.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Nirvana! The most peaceful place we've ever been!

  Nirvana! The most peaceful place we've ever been!

  • Guest Oxana L.
  • Date of stay 10/11/12
  • Review Submitted 12/03/12
  We saw many other rentals while vacationing there for a month and always we felt that we had luckily picked the best. Casa Colina is set is the most beautiful garden filled with gardenias, heliconia, avocados that surrounds the house and up the hill. The terrace and the numerous windows in the house overlook the most stunning view of the lake and the volcanoes. The house is large and well equipped with lots of little spots for private relaxation. The town of San Marcos is a small haven for new age adventures and great little places to eat. Don't miss Moon Fish cafe or restaurant Fe. This is a special corner of Guatemala, with wonderful people, beautiful scenery and delicious food. Bonnie and her staff (Maria, Gaspar, Isabella) are very friendly and helpful. The views are some of the best, the swimming great, not the case everywhere around the lake. The grounds were so well kept and always being improved. The location near San Marcos was really nice, as it was probably our favorite of all the towns for a relaxed atmosphere,... alternative, interesting travelers and green jungle scenery. It took us a few days to realize that it is bigger than you first think. There's a good choice of restaurants, vegetarian too. It is a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute boat ride.To me it is more tranquil to be a little removed from the towns. We went with our 14 and 18 year olds. They loved it there is some open lawn space to run around and areas to explore. We also loved the zip-line in Panajachel. We swam a lot in the mornings. Casa Colina feels very safe and they wandered alone on the grounds. The house is beautiful, simple, very clean, organic. Also, there is much privacy. I highly recommend Casa Colina. I really think it's the best house on the lake for the price!!!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• My first trip to Lake Atitlan will not be my last

  My first trip to Lake Atitlan will not be my last

  • Guest Vincent M.
  • Date of stay 10/03/12
  • Review Submitted 12/01/12
  My first trip to Lake Atitlan will not be my last. The Casa Colina was a perfect place to call home for the week that we stayed on Lake Atitlan. Logistically it could not have been better. From there, we were able to take side trips near and far. We took the local boat to Santiago and San Pedro, the bus to Chichicastenango market and Quetzaltenango, Belize and Nicaragua. The house itself was clean and neat. There were no surprises. Having booked the trip sight unseen and going only by reviews found on this website I took a leap of faith. Boy was I glad that I did. Every evening, we sat on the outside patio polishing off a bottle of famous Gallo beer. It was so fun to buy groceries from the two local markets. With a lot of pointing and hand gestures, we got the ingredients to create wonderful dinners every night. There is a flat screen TV which provided us with English news channels (BBC) and a bunch of Guatemalan programming. The internet availability was quite handy. We used it to plot out our daily adventures. Will I go to Casa Colina again? Most definitely! I am already thinking about returning in February 2013!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Spectacular views!

  Spectacular views!

  • Guest Rouslan S.
  • Date of stay 09/30/12
  • Review Submitted 11/28/12
  We stayed at this property from end of September to beginning of October. Overall, We loved this place!! The scenery from the house is worth a million dollars. Just imagine having a view of three volcanoes. We enjoyed having our breakfast with a stunning view of the Atitlan Lake and San Pedro village across the lake every morning. There are coffee trees & avocado trees. There are papaya, avocado, banana trees in the property and also owner has a veggie garden which we really enjoyed!! We always had some kind of fresh veggies. During my stay, we enjoyed watching a hummingbird coming for lavender, squirrels running around the roof top and one time I saw a raccoon while I was relaxing in the front porch!! We really enjoyed the house because it is surrounded by nature and also away from everything. We were healed and rejuvenated by just watching the scenery from the house everyday. The kitchen has sufficient equipments for stay: coffee maker, toaster, iron & board, refrigerator, freezer, oven blender, stove top burners, cooking utensils, waffle maker, microwave, bottled water, juice blender. Whatever we needed, Bonnie(owner) got them for us right away. She is a very responsible and sweet person. We would love to go back again and we absolutely recommend this place to my friends. As I mentioned at the beginning, the scenery from the house is worth a million dollars. PS: We became addicted to Moon Fish restaurant at San Marcos while we stay. It is simple but incredibly tasty. Thank you Bonnie, we really enjoyed staying at your beautiful house.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Absolutely Stunning, Wonderful, Magnificiant Home and People

  Absolutely Stunning, Wonderful, Magnificiant Home and People

  • Guest Deb0904
  • Date of stay 09/14/12
  • Review Submitted 09/22/12
  We are staying at Casa Colina right now as we speak. We arrived on 9/14/2012 and nothing could be any better. Before we arrived, we received information from Bonnie about the place and the people who are here to help. We were told that there would be spiders and we were told there may be scorpions. We have seen spiders and they are absolutely no problem. They keep the mosquitos away and I hate mosquitos. I mention this because I just read the review of the person who left about the time we arrived and I truly do not understand the review or what he expected. This place is heaven. The view is tremendous. The house is so comfortable. Although Bonnie has been in the US since we arrived, she has been readily available by email. Gaspar has been such a help. He has come religiously at least twice a day and is incredible. Maria, the maid comes as often as we were told and again she is wonderful. Generally, when I've rented on VRBO before, regardless of whether it is Central American or the US, there is no maid service. Isabel has cooked wonderful meals for us and her husband Isiasis has been wonderful. We started with just Gary and me then two of my best girlfriends arrived yesterday and Gary left this morning. I do not want to leave this place. We have another week here and if I could stay indefinitely, I would. This is the first time that I have been relaxed and away from the stress of my office in a very long time. The house is immaculate and has such charm that we will return again and again in the future if Bonnie and David will allow us. BTW, we came down the path from San Marcos to the house tonight with just our flashlights. It was alot of fun but my friend Deb G says that is going to be it for her adventure for this trip. She says tuk tuk and launche are in her future while relaxing with cervesa and vino. :)

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Not recommended

  Not recommended

  • Guest DD
  • Date of stay 09/01/12
  • Review Submitted 09/12/12
  We stayed here early this month. The views from the house are stunning and the owners were quite welcoming. At first glance the house looks great. However this place is infested with spiders/scorpions as well as bugs (we are talking 4" big scorpions). We spent all three nights removing spiders as well as scorpions from the living room/bedroom (5 to 6 at a time in a room). In addition whenever we turned on the lights, we were inundated with gnats which were in large numbers attracted to the light. Pretty soon our bed/kitchen counter was covered with dead gnats that fell from the lights. We had to keep most lights off most of the time. The house although well made really needs up keeping. There is housekeeping only twice a week which was unusual as we had daily housekeeping in both the other places that we stayed. Also, we had no bug issues in the other two places which made this stay quite surprising and a nightmare. We would not recommend this place, sadly, as there are other options which, from what we were told, would have been more cleaner and comfortable.

  Owner response: David and I were terribly disappointed in Mr. C's very negative review. In the 8 page booklet that we prepare for guests and send to them as soon as they book, we are very clear about "Bugs"...how spiders live happily with everyone at the lake, in fact how they are the main reason we have so very few mosquitos! We also discuss scorpions who , like spiders, are terrified of people but we suggest killing just as a precaucion. Gaspar, our wonderful full time gardener, does a "bug check" twice each day. Mr. C is the first guest -- we have had probably 35 different visits s since we renovated Casa Colina last year--- who has ever complained about bugs...or anything at Casa Colina. Everyone else loves the house, the luxurious bedding, the marble fireplace , beautiful bathrooms, lovely artwork , the setting ,the incredible vistas, the lush gardens, the lakefront , the perfect swimming, Isabel , the talented and delightful cook, ..and on and on. The house was immaculate when Mr. C and his friend arrived. I know since we were still there before departing for the US and I personally checked every single room. They stayed four nights. The maid came two of those days. It sounds as if they wanted daily maid service but I make it clear beforehand that cleaning is provided twice weekly unless other arrangements are made. That has never been a problem for our guests...and some have been families with children and several with two or three couples. We have been pleased with the guests who have stayed in Casa Colina and have delighted in their enjoyment of the house and the whole Lake experience. Mr. C, who I suspect may a " city dweller ," obviously did not enjoy himself. We regret that . We emailed him to ask how we could make amends for his being bothered by bugs, but he never replied. Sadly, he is passing along his unhappy comments. I sincerely hope future guests will ignore them. Back here in Atlanta, we are being eaten alive by mosquitos every time we walk outside the house. I would love to have our Guatemala spiders around!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/4

• The ideal hub to see the lake Atitlan and surrounding areas.

  The ideal hub to see the lake Atitlan and surrounding areas.

  • Guest Disja K.
  • Date of stay 08/12/12
  • Review Submitted 11/27/12
  This was our second visit to Casa Colina on the Lake and both visits have been memorable. The tranquil surroundings and stunning views are very special. We would sit on the front patio all day and just soak up the ever changing landscape as the sun hits the 3 volcanos and mountains. Clouds sometimes float past at eye level making it all feel surreal. Hummingbirds hover around the plants/flowers in the beautiful garden and an evening firefly show is a perfect end to the night. The twinkling lights of San Pedro are just across the lake. We love this place because of the privacy, serenity and peacefulness. However, the tranquil town of San Marcos is just a few minutes boat ride away. It has a great market for fresh food and veggies and a great selection of local crafts. All of the other towns around the lake are easily accessible by boat, which is the main form of travel around the lake. We were given the numbers of a couple of boat operators and you just call them up, like ordering a taxi. You have the choice of zipping over to Panajachel to catch a regular boat service to any part of the lake or do a ‘privado’ trip with the boat all to yourself. The regular service costs around $3 and a private trip about $25. The house itself is gorgeous. Local stonework gives it a very rustic feel. The kitchen provides everything you need to cook up a storm with local produce. Each bedroom has an open fireplace and the beds are very comfortable. Cable TV, huge movie collection and internet service was also available. The house was very clean and well maintained. Our host, Bonnie, couldn’t have been more helpful. She provided us with all the local information, which is invaluable when you are new to the place. There is a great selection of restaurants, art galleries, and markets all around the lake. We went trekking up the volcano, which was exhilarating, and we loved strolling around the stone walkways of the property. I highly recommend Casa Colina on the Lake as the place to stay when visiting Lake Atitlan.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Family from Bow, NH

  Family from Bow, NH

  • Guest Lynda
  • Date of stay 07/31/12
  • Review Submitted 08/19/12
  Our family of 4 just spent 9 of the most relaxing days at Bonnie and David's beautiful home. The home was spacious and well cared for. The view is spectacular, something you just have to see to believe! Picture perfect!!! Bonnie and David went above and beyond most house rentals to make sure everything was perfect. We had Isobel cook many dinners which were excellent. She will delight you with her great cooking skills! While there is a beautiful kitchen to cook in, we spoiled ourselves by eating out at nearby restaurants around the lake. We loved 'Fe' and the delicious breakfasts at Restaurante Kaqchikel. Everything is accessible by walking, boat or Tuk Tuk. The kids loved zip lining in Pana and horse back riding in San Pedro. We loved the art gallery's in San Juan and the market in Santiago. It was easy enough to arrange for a tour bus to take us all to the Chichi market as well. We especially enjoyed exploring many of the villages around the lake by 'launcha', aka public boat. While there is the opportunity to rent private boats, we really enjoyed meeting the locals and other tourists on the public boats. Thanks to Bonnie the trip was seemingly effortless. She arranged for Mario to pick us up at the airport and arranged our transportation off to Antigua. Thank you Bonnie, David and Isobel for a perfect vacation! On another note.... next time we come, we will bring shoes and school supplies for the local children. It would be much appreciated!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/3

• Casa Colina is Fabuloso

  Casa Colina is Fabuloso

  • Guest MomOfThreeBoys
  • Date of stay 07/23/12
  • Review Submitted 08/10/12
  Our family just returned from a wonderful week at Casa Colina. We arrived after two days in Tikal and an overnight in Guatemala City. By the time we reached Lake Atitlan, my husband and I and our three sons, ages 5, 8 and 10, were ready for some relaxing family time. Beautiful Lake Atitlan is the perfect place to unwind while also experiencing Mayan customs and culture. Bonnie and David had arranged for a driver to pick us up at our hotel in Guatemala City. The ride to Panajachel took about 2.5 hours. As Bonnie suggested, we stopped in “Pana” for groceries and arrived at the Lake in time for a leisurely late lunch and swim. Casa Colina is lovely and provides the ideal setup for a family. The bedrooms are on either side of a spacious, high-ceilinged great room with a large marble fireplace that we enjoyed in the cool evenings. As advertised, the views of the lake and volcanoes from every room are breathtaking. Almost every night, we had Isabel come to cook dinner. She made a wonderful array of delicious meals. My boys all loved to sit on stools in the kitchen and watch her prepare tortillas from scratch. She speaks little English and we speak little Spanish but had no problem communicating. Around Lake Atitlan, there is plenty to do for an active family. We swam in Casa Colina’s peaceful cove in the morning and late afternoon. We walked to nearby San Marcos for lunch, went kayaking and hiking, and took a 6 hour private boat tour around the Lake, visiting several villages with charming English-speaking “Capitan Domingo” as our guide. By the end of the week, the boys were very proud of their ability to wave down a passing “lancha” to take us to nearby villages and to use their basic Spanish to buy their favorite fruits in the local market. One morning, with Bonnie and her friends we visited a small school the organization has built in a mountain village. We bounced our way up the unpaved rock strewn road on the back of an old pickup truck. My boys said it was just like “Indiana Jones” and added the adventure to their “top five list of vacation favorites.“ All in all, from beginning to end, we could we could not have asked for a more perfect family vacation. The morning we had to leave, our oldest son lay on his bed groaning, with arms outstretched, and loudly declared what we were all were feeling: “I do not want to leave!” We promised him that we will definitely return to this special place that has so captured our hearts.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/4

• Wonderful house, clean, welcoming, spacious.

  Wonderful house, clean, welcoming, spacious.

  • Guest Nancy H.
  • Date of stay 07/17/12
  • Review Submitted 11/30/12
  Are you looking for a break from crowded freeways, noisy restaurants, and long lines at the grocery store? If this is the case then this Guatemalan sanctuary is the perfect place for you. Nestled on a hillside overlooking Lake Atitlan and its majestic volcanoes, this home is a peaceful setting for a relaxing retreat. The property is beautifully maintained by the caretaker Gaspar and housekeeper Maria who lovingly care for the home throughout the year. The bedrooms have firm comfortable beds with separate bathrooms available. Natural lighting and beautiful stonework create a soothing bathing experience. The focal point of the property is the dining room with a unique art collection and the marble fireplace. There is an adjoining kitchen and doors which open out to patio and a garden setting. You may sit and read a book on the patio under the shade of the beautiful trees and shrubs or you may wander about the gardens through graceful pathways of natural stone, quiet pools of water, and terraced areas filled with lush vegetation. If you tire of cooking you may take an easy walk to San Marcos La laguna. Here you will enjoy freshly prepared food with natural ingredients while enjoying a panoramic view of the lake. If you enjoy shopping, a short boat ride across the lake to Santiago, San Juan or San Pedro will allow you to purchase hand crafted items ranging from jewelry, to purses, as well as amazing wall hangings and pillow covers. This is a perfect retreat for people looking for a unique vacation experience.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Wonderful house on Lake Atitlan

  Wonderful house on Lake Atitlan

  • Guest Constance J.
  • Date of stay 07/09/12
  • Review Submitted 11/27/12
  My friend & I spent a week here in July. It is even more beautiful than the description & the pictures. The place is very well maintained, very clean, everything you need for comfort. San Marcos La Laguna is around if you need him, doesn't bother you if you don't. The owner was responsive to all my questions & very easy to work with. The fresh fish we bought was great. We enjoyed not hearing any car noise...it is just so peaceful. Very close to the lake with lovely views of the lake & 3 volcanoes. And magnificent flowers all around the lawn, totally fenced in with a locking gate, so very secure, not that I think that is ever a problem here. We enjoyed the walk up to the village of San Marcos, good exercise (there are always tuk-tuks if you prefer), & loved visiting with the librarian (they could use some more Spanish books if you have any) & at the Caracol school. We brought most of our groceries with us, but were able to pick up a few fruits & veggies at the little shops in the village. We also met wonderful people at the La Paz hotel nearby. We took a private boat to get there, due to carrying the groceries,the captain carried my supplies up for us; other than that we used the public ones. My friend loved kayaking on the lake. I enjoyed a book, in English, that the owners had in their library. I have previously stayed in Santa Cruz & San Pedro, but this is by far the most peaceful of the villages. From here you can also walk over to the Paula yoga retreat, ...awesome! I have been going to Guatemala for 10 years now, mostly to either the capital or Antigua. After starting to spend some of my time at the lake for relaxation, it makes my trip so much more special. And finding this place makes it perfect! I certainly hope to go back next year. Thank you Bonnie for sharing your wonderful house.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Beautiful home, beautiful hosts

  Beautiful home, beautiful hosts

  • Guest Not the Smith Family
  • Date of stay 07/05/12
  • Review Submitted 05/06/13
  This review is way overdue, but I have spent the last many months thinking about our wonderful visit to this home. Guests were me, husband, and 12 year old daughter. Bonnie, David, Isabel...such wonderful memories. We enjoyed excellent company and hospitality, a terrific walking tour and introduction to interesting people, and fantastic scenery and accommodations. Spacious, beautiful home, private dock with water toys, gorgeous landscaping. I left my book behind, and David himself traveled to Antigua to return it to me. It felt like we were family.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Beautiful Vacation Home With GREAT Owners

  Beautiful Vacation Home With GREAT Owners

  • Guest Lollie
  • Date of stay 06/29/12
  • Review Submitted 07/07/12
  I just wanted to say thank you for a lovely vacation. I am truly glad we were able to stay in your beautiful home. I wish we could have had more time to visit but I'm thankful for the time we did. You were both very pleasant. I also want to say thank you for all the information about the area to help us utilize the best time with our vacation. I hope to visit you again one day!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/8

• What a Lovely Experience - Trip Advisor - June 2012

  What a Lovely Experience - Trip Advisor - June 2012

  • Guest Nathan G.
  • Date of stay 06/01/12
  • Review Submitted 12/11/12
  Coming from the US I looked for weeks to find the right place. We wanted a location that was centrally located on the lake Atitlan, but did not want to be in the middle of the tourist trap, we were so pleased and happy we found Casa Colina. We believe could not have chosen a better place for the price and personal service we received. Initially, reading the reviews was a little hard to believe given this was a self-catering villa, but from the first email with Bonnie, to meeting Bonnie and David, then ending with our bitter sweet goodbyes, we can understand why their reviews are so wonderful. They both work as hard as or harder than high-end hotels when it comes to personal attention. Bonnie replied to any questions by email and phone. Met us upon arrival, to again answer any questions we had about the villa or area. Exceptional accommodations on Lake Atitlan. One of the loveliest villas we have ever seen. It was built in 1996 and still has the original granite steps, amazing. The walls are one foot thick and so private and quiet. Furnished to the highest standard. The antique baskets and artwork and the attention to detail that went into everything in this villa are amazing. We could see why after reading all of the reviews we wanted to stay here. Villa Casa Colina is everything and more than you will read about. All the reviews are correct !! The views are much better than the pictures. It is a magical place to stay. We could not have picked a more perfect place. Beautiful, gorgeous, very well maintained as well as immaculate. Comfy and cozy luxurious bedding with one of the best nights sleep we have ever had on vacation. Slept like a log. We loved our daily walks on the local roads which were so charming . The village of San Marcos itself is small and quite and just what we wanted. We found this even more thrilling being able to stop when and where we wanted for photos. The overall Lake Atitlan area is a sight to see you can’t get to it all in a week. Our favorites were: San Juan, Saniago, San Pedro, boating on the lake, the gardens of Butterfly sanctuary in Panajachel and restaurant of hotel Lomas de Tzununa. The restaurants: Deli (Panajachel), Fe (San Marcos), Tul el Sol (San Marcos) and Posada de Santiago (Santiago). To Bonnie and David; thank you for being such lovely hosts. You have help to make our vacation to Lake Atitlan a special one we will always remember. We are telling all of our friends and hope to visit you again real soon!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Wonderful location for relaxing, family or romantic vacation!

  Wonderful location for relaxing, family or romantic vacation!

  • Guest Saul P.
  • Date of stay 04/08/12
  • Review Submitted 12/06/12
  My wife and I stayed in the Casa Colina for a week. It was a very scenic location on Lake Atitlan. Every time I looked out the windows, I wanted to take a picture! The views from the house are extraordinary. The listing photos accurately reflected the rental’s appearance and amenities. The location is very convenient to all sites on Lake Atitlan. The house was very clean and well-maintained. The rooms are very large. And Bonnie, the owner was very welcoming and helpful in answering questions to be sure our visit was excellent, and even in making suggestion for day trips. I would recommend this property to a friend or relative or anyone looking for a beautiful scenic trip into the Lake Atitlan area. There are local restaurants, activities and attractions such as: hiking, kayaking shopping, boat taxis, horse riding and even paragliding!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Possibly the best location on the lake?

  Possibly the best location on the lake?

  • Guest Julia G.
  • Date of stay 01/08/12
  • Review Submitted 11/30/12
  We just returned from a fabulous week on Lake Atitlan. The Casa Colina house is in pristine condition, and in a superb central location on the lake. San Marcos La Laguna is the perfect little town, with great places to eat and the best tacos on the lake. We felt perfectly safe with our 2-year-old son. I would recommend this house to the most discriminating traveler. Swimming in the lake was lovely, perfect water temperature. Everything else in the Casa Colina was perfect, and Bonnie and David were wonderful hosts. Beds are extremely comfortable (better than most). Views from the Casa Colina cannot be paralleled. Wide open vistas of the lake and three volcanoes - photos cannot do it justice. Could not have imagined a more picture -perfect location on Lake Atitlan. Easy access to Panajachel, San Pedro, San Juan, but the dilemma is finding a reason to leave such a beautifully furnished and comfortable villa with views that take your breath away. Highly recommended as a get-a -way or base for further sightseeing.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• A True Lakefront Property Surrounded by Beautiful Gardens

  A True Lakefront Property Surrounded by Beautiful Gardens

  • Guest George M.
  • Date of stay 01/03/12
  • Review Submitted 11/30/12
  Bonnie & David, Thank you for an exceptional vacation. Lake Atitlan in was fantastic, but the Casa Colina may be one of the best locations in the area. We repeatedly reminded each other of how lucky we were to find it. We absolutely loved sitting outside on the patio just absorbing the lakeside activities and views. This may be the most relaxing vacation we've ever had. Although we enjoyed the various day trips, it was always nice to return to the Casa Colina and just hang out at the house or stroll along the lakeside to San Marcos La Laguna for dinner (good food and friendly service). This house is gorgeous! We couldn't have asked for a better place to spend our week on Lake Atitlan. We'll always remember the house's beautiful decor, views and comfort from the heat! We laid out in the sun, reading and then swam when it got too hot to handle. We toured the area from San Marcos to Panajachel, visited the butterfly sanctuary, kayaked and drank by the lake from dawn till dusk. Heaven! We're off to Antigua, but we will never forget the beautiful, magnificent & vibrant house on Lake Atitlan.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• We will be back!

  We will be back!

  • Guest FlyDelta
  • Date of stay 11/09/11
  • Review Submitted 12/21/11
  First to know that the owners Bonnie and David are wonderful and helped us in everyway, they made our experience at Casa Colina 5 stars from the start and I have not left Atlanta. We did not arrive till dark, so when we awoke the view we had from the master bedroom was awesome and breath taking. We took advantage of the public water taxis, our goal was to visit a new village everyday which was a great adventure. The people are very kind, helpful and friendly. We cooked in the house but tried to eat at a restaurant in every village, this was great along with the prices! We were blessed by great weather which made our trip extra special. We sat down on the dock or our patio ever afternoon to enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the volcanos and Lake Atitlan, again breath taking. We give many thanks to Gaspar the grounds keeper who is wonderful and very helpful. We will be back next year to visit Bonnie and David and see the villages we missed and the ones we must see again. One of the most relaxing and enjoyable vacations we have had. Thank you for our experience.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/10

• Wondeful Experience

  Wondeful Experience

  • Guest STVMIC
  • Date of stay 10/17/11
  • Review Submitted 10/25/11
  We just arrived back home after a wonderful stay at this home. The lake is beautiful and waking up each morning to the view from this home is stunning. The gardener and caretaker Gaspar was wonderful to us during our entire visit, bringing firewood up to the house, taking away the garbage and picking avocados and limes each day for us to have. The owners also have a friend who lives nearby who came the first night we arrived to welcome us and advise us on activities and useful information about the area. His name was David and he was a wealth of knowledge and extremely helpful to us throughout our stay. We were able to arrange massages right at the house, in the most tranquil setting, kayaking, hiking, boat tours etc. We loved visiting the villages around the lake and enjoyed several meals in San Marcos. David also arranged for his cousin |sobel to come and cook us several meals that were delicous and very authentic. I would most definitley recommend this property. It is up on a hill and therefore offers a stunning view but also requires one to be in good shape to climb the 120 steps to the house each day. It is the perfect place for adventurous people who like to explore. Please go with an open mind, and enjoy immersing yourself in the culture.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/11

• Guest comment entered by owner

  • Guest Eugenia
  • Date of stay 06/02/11
  • Review Submitted 06/20/11
  We arrived at Casa Colina at dusk . We immediately loved the house. We had ordered dinner ahead . The table was set, candles were lit and a delicious meal was waiting for us. It was everything we imagined and much more. But it wasn't until the next morning that we understand why owners Bonnie and David say Casa Colina and Lake Atitlan are magical. The view is breathtaking. We felt we were on top of the world. We were only able to stay five days but we packed a lot into them. My husband and son hiked San Pedro Volcano. My two daughters and I shopped in San Juan La Laguna. We all swam , kayaked, took saunas, visited art galleries, went horseback riding in San Pedro , practiced our spanish,and ate at five different restaurants just in San Marcos. We loved returning to Casa Colina at the end of the day , sitting on the patio and watching the sun go down. We all agreed it was our best family vacation ever . We hope to return next summer and stay two weeks.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 11/13