Nature & Parks in Solola Department
THE 10 BEST Solola Department Parks & Nature Attractions
Nature & Parks in Solola Department
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Nature & Parks
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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Recommended Outdoor Activities (65)
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Hot Springs & Geysers
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Ancient Ruins • Mountains
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What travellers are saying
- Richard BEdinburgh, UK5,410 contributionsA truly inspiring place with a heart and soul that belongs in the old world.
People who still smile, friendly faces and a beautiful lake with stunning views from every angle.
Atitlan has little towns surrounding it with great restaurants, excellent coffee and little hidden gems just waiting to be found. A life time ambition or an opportunistic chance to visit won't disappoint.
Beauty, nature and sunshine.Written 29 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - omegonBangkok, Thailand280 contributionsEven though the reserve is slightly far from Panajachel, I think it is worth a quick trip if you have the time. It is best to take a tuk-tuk to get to there - I paid around 20 GTQ.
The reserve has a bit of everything - nice short hiking trails, coatis, beaches, a butterfly reserve, and zipline (for an additional cost).
There is also a hotel there but I didn't used the services so I can't say what it's like.Written 2 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - omegonBangkok, Thailand280 contributionsI used this trail as a warm-up hike for Acatenango. The trail is pretty short - around 1.2 to 1.4 KM one way, and the final 400 meters is very steep with over 200 meters in altitude gain. However, this steep part is very short. I think that there is another trail from San Juan la Laguna where the path is much longer, so make sure you are going on the shorter route.
My recommendation is that if you are going to see the sunrise, it is best to go with a tour, mainly because there is no transport available at that time of the day and it might be a bit of a challenge to drive in the dark and find the trailhead. You can just pick a tour when you are in Lake Atitlan. Most of them either leave from San Pedro la Laguna or San Juan la Laguna, so make sure you spend the night in one of these towns. I have heard of people going up the wrong way and the hike was very hard. And it will also be a way to minimize your chances of getting robbed - something I was told that used to be quite common.
This is a beautiful hike, and I strongly recommend it. You get to see the best sunrise on Lake Atitlan.Written 2 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Richard BEdinburgh, UK5,410 contributionsA beautiful hidden gem in San Marco on the shore of Lake Atitlan. The nature reserve is very sensibly priced and has ample areas for sunbathing and seating areas to enjoy the views.
A short trip by taxi boat from Panajachel making it all the more interesting. An opportunity to enjoy the lake take in the views and stop for a coffee in San Marco.Written 29 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Pearsemk188 contributionsHiked the volcano today without a guide. It was a good but tough hike. Enjoyed the rope swing and the view at the top.
If you are concerned about personal items I think it may have been possible to leave at the entrance although we didn’t think of it at the time. We chose to believe it would be safe based on last review.
Met two policemen on the top of mountain they were very nice and we met a tour coming up as we were going down and a policeman coming up behind them.
What ever way you do the mountain with or without a tour it’s really nice.Written 30 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Tyler WSpring, TX18 contributionsThe hotel falls in boutique category, larger but boutique. As such, you probably won’t see the frills and speed you’d get out of a main stream hotel in a major metropolitan area in the west. Expectations, set them.
Leaving that behind - it’s a great relaxing and gorgeous location. I’m not a garden person, but it WAS beautiful; makes you feel a bit ashamed of your own landscaping at home. The grounds and buildings are well maintained.
Had a lunch, one dinner and some drinks at the bar over a couple days. The food is good, pretty good actually and didn’t make me feel like I was throwing away money. The food and bar service is a little slow, but they looked understaffed TBH. Staff seems to favor the bigger groups. At the pool, drink service was great. Go into town via a tuk tuk for more food options. No ATM onsite so bring cash if you want a massage or something extra (cash only).
I have to say because I’ve seen the reviews and witnessed a couple folks, this is not a party hotel that caters to work travelers or young party goers looking to get ripped at their first chance. There are younger folks (20s) here and a few kids even, but the vibe was much more chill, slow paced and relaxing. If you come here thinking “shots, shots, shots”, or needing blazing WiFi for streaming you’ll be disappointed.
Yes, no AC in rooms but it wasn’t needed in May (there are fans); left the balcony door open all night and no issues w bugs. Very comfortable and beds are fine. No issues w hot water.Written 28 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Antonio MCopenhagen, Denmark46 contributionsWhen I was planning our activities around the Lake Atitlan, most of the information I found was about volcano San Pedro and the mountain with the name Indian Nose.
However, thanks to the recommendation of the local guide, Salvador, I have chosen volcano Atitlan instead of San Pedro. I just trusted the man and it was the great choice!
This is a moderate-difficult hike, especially tough at the very end. The easy part takes place in the shadow of the trees that is just perfect on a hot day. We saw some flowers and a bird called "singing quail" on our way. Else not much to see, but relaxing. When it gets steeper, trees change from leaf-trees to pine trees and the soil changes to volcanic stones rolling at every step. So it was actually tough but we had special hiking shoes :) It was also getting colder as closer we approached to the peak.
The path is actually marked for beginners but I would still recommend to do it with a guide. You get to see spectacular views and clouds passing by. Incredible feeling. First you see volcano San Pedro, then also volcano Toliman. The altitude of volcano Atitlan peak is 3535 m but the total elevation is about 2000 m.
The weather changes very fast there and by the time we went down, the forest turned into a cloud forest. By the way, going down is really more painful than going up! Despite having slight pain in our legs the following day, we went to another hike early in the morning to watch sunrise from the "Indian Nose" :)Written 4 May 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - vegancraigOrlando, FL5 contributionsThe strenuous hiking is well worth it for the connection to nature, the bird watching, and the wonderful views you'll get a long the way.Written 16 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- RelaxgilrFlorida46 contributionsI don't want to spoil the joy! Just book with Tours Atitlan in Santa Cruz for the day for a hike and a picnic!Written 23 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DeliaLopOakland, OR187 contributionsSo much fun! I call it a bit of hiking but worth it, jumping into the cloud so hi up, the view was spectacular.Written 5 February 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- John GBerlin, Germany7 contributionsIt is a bit of a hard place to reach! The hike up the mountain is hard, and best early morning because it gets very hot. Take a local guide, always an excellent option. On top there is an ancient mayan altar, that deserves exploring and maybe also a candle or two.Written 19 April 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nancy OMiami, FL7 contributionsGreat service, good food in a beautiful natural place. We’ll come back. Highly recommend.
Lovely towns around the lake.Written 25 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Alexis FGuatemala17 contributionsVolcano Tolimán rises to 3,158m with outstanding views over Lake Atitlán, towards the highlands in the North and volcanoes (Fuego and Acatenango) to the South. The neighbouring Volcano Atitlán rises 377m higher than the Tolimán and is the more visited, but the Volcano Tolimán is a hidden gem as very few people visit.
The climb is tough, taking approximately 6 hours to ascend and walk the summit and 5 hours to descend. The walk is best accessed from the village of San Lucas Tolimán where a path leaves from the village. Local guides are definitely recommended and can be hired with help from the Hotel Tolimán. The changed in vegetation are fantastic and the views get better the higher up the volcano.
The summit of the volcano is comprised of three craters which cover a wide area. There are many excellent places for camping and fantastic views of Volcano San Pedro.
For anybody looking for an adventure that few other people undertake this is definitely for you.Written 8 April 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Maria PGuatemala City, Guatemala6 contributionsVery cool vibe at the lake. Make sure to check out the smaller towns as they are less touristy and a lot cooler!Written 14 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elsie RSerra da Mantiqueira150 contributionsTarrales is a working coffee farm (shade coffee, meaning the coffee bushes are interspersed with trees like inga, attracting all sorts of birds) and, as such, normal activity - picking, transporting, drying, processing - will be all around the guests. It doesn't interfere at all and is actually quite interesting. But we were there for the birds.
Its owners are dedicated to conservation, and this can be seen by the work that has been done for decades. It includes the choice of trees to shade the coffee plants, the flowering bushes planted all over the place to attract hummingbirds, tracking of rare species (their trail cameras recently recorded puma and coyote, and one of their guides is personally following several species of birds), bird feeders, zealous preservation of the Horned Guan's habitat high on Atitlán volcano's flanks and the way they run the reserve.
Staying in a place like this was a pleasure. Although physical limitations didn't allow me to climb the volcano to see the guan (but one of my travel companions did that, successfully), I did all the low-lying trails in the property and enjoyed myself immensely. The resident guide also took us, with a 4x4, to higher points in the property to go birding and to look for owls. He is a precious source of information and knowledge, and a good guy to boot.
En-suite accomodations are very comfortable (it was December, theoretically winter, but the room fan was on at night because of the humid heat), there is a lot of hot water in the shower and it was very silent in the evenings - no vehicles, no voices. There is also the option of a lodge (I presume with shared facilities) and tree houses.
The food was okay. The best were the home-baked bread, fresh butter from the neighbor and pizza night. Staff was friendly and helpful. I could definitely spend more time in Tarrales Natural Reserve.Written 9 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
