Takalik Maya Lodge

Overview

Description

Takalik Maya Lodge has 27 acres (11 hectares) of subtropical moist forest undergoing natural regeneration; 25 acres (10 hectares) have been declared the La Montaña Private Nature Reserve. The forest has a high diversity of flora and fauna, especially birds. The tourism center is located on what was the Mayan city of Takalik Abaj, which today is the Takalik Abaj Archeological National Park. The ninth terrace of the Park is located within the La Montaña Reserve.

At Takalik Maya Lodge, you will stay on an ancient coffee farm that has been remodeled and adapted to meet the requirements of today's tourists. Suites are also available within the La Montaña Reserve. You can go on the coffee tour and experience the traditions and customs of the local host community, combined with activities such as:

• A tour on horseback and a visit to Takalik Abaj Archeological National Park.
• Hiking in the coffee, rubber, and papaya plantations, and participating in production.
• Viewing many plant and animal species, especially birds.
• Bathing in a natural pool of cold mountain water.
• Making handicrafts.
• Attending Maya celebrations.
• Climbing Chicabal Volcano to visit the sacred lagoon in the crater.

Some popular nearby destinations are Xocomil Aquatic Park, the Xetulul Irtra Theme Park, the Manchón Guamuchal Ramsar site, the city of Retalhuleu, and the city of Quetzaltenango.

Rooms

10 in total:

• Paseo del Café: 8 rooms
• Kacike Maya: 2 suites

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 32

Percentage of local employees: 98%

The old Montes Elíseos coffee farm converted from farming to tourism in order to benefit the 22 families that live and work on the farm. Tourism was introduced over a two-year period, during which all of the personnel were trained. Today, 29 employees are benefiting from the arrival of national and foreign tourists and are earning better salaries; complementary services for transport, handicrafts, and labor have also been initiated in the region.

We are part of the Community Tourism Network of Latin America.

In order to build the hotel, 25 acres (10 hectares) of forest had to be declared as a private natural reserve that is home to many of the region's species.

We promote tours to terrace number nine in Takalik Abaj Archeological National Park, which helps to conserve the park.

Rates

$51 – $75

The high season runs from November to April, and from July and August. The low season months are May, June, September and October. Nightly rates per person by season are:

Paseo del Café, Estancia:

• High season: US$38.
• Low season: US$ 32.

Includes: lodging, taxes, and breakfast a la carte.

2 Day / 1 Night package:

• High season: US$59.
  
• Low season: US$52.
  

Includes: 1 welcome cocktail, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch a la carte, lodging, coffee tour, a tour of the La Montaña Private Natural Reserve with a local guide, round-trip transport to Takalik Abaj National Park on horseback or in cart, and entrance fee and tour of Takalik Abaj Archeological National Park with a specialist guide.

Kacike Maya:

• High season: US$59.
• Low season: US$ 53.

Included: lodging, taxes and breakfast a la carte.

2 Day / 1 Night package:

• High season: US$92.
  
• Low season: US$86.

Includes: 1 welcome cocktail, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch a la carte, lodging, coffee tour, tour of La Montaña Private Natural Reserve with a local guide, round-trip transport to Takalik Abaj National Park on horseback or in cart, and entrance fee and tour of Takalik Abaj Archeological National Park with a specialist guide.

For more information about rates and reservations, click on the orange “Contact” button above.

For information about rates, please visit:

• www.takalik.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78:kacique-maya&catid=48:habitaciones&Itemid=131 (available in Spanish).
• english.takalik.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78:kacique-maya&catid=48:habitaciones&Itemid=131 (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Guatemala City (GUA)

Nearest local/national airport: Retalhuleu (RER)

Travel time to nearest airport: 30 minutes

We are located three hours from the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City and only 30 minutes from the local airport in the city of Retalhuleu. Access to Takalik Maya Lodge is by a road that is passable year-round in any kind of vehicle. The road to the entrance of Takalik Abaj Archeological National Park is in perfect condition; after that, there are 1.25 miles (two kilometers) of cobblestones in good condition.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

Export Excellence Award 2010, Services Division, by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT).

Additional Web sites

• www.rainforest-alliance.org/multimedia/sustainable-getaways (available in English and Spanish). Takalik Maya Lodge is featured in the Rainforest Alliance’s slideshow about the best “Sweet, Sustainable Getaways” in Latin America.
• guatemala.travelreality.com/home.asp?Destino=Retalhuleu&Categoria=Hoteles&AlbumID=653 (available in Spanish). Description and photographs of the hotel on the viajero.com website.
• magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0405/feature4/ (available in English and Spanish). Fit for a king, one of the oldest known Maya burials is discovered unlooted in southwestern Guatemala. Summary of an article published in National Geographic Magazine about the archeological ruins of the Retalhuleu region.

Date This Information Was Provided

October 2011.

Photos courtesy of Takalik Maya Lodge, Guatemala, for SustainableTrip.org.

Takalik Maya Lodge