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Guatemalan Girls' Getaway!Sat, Jan 20Santa Catarina Palopó
SUEÑOS DE SANTA CATARINA
Sueños de Santa Catarina is a collection of homes in the picturesque town of Santa Catarina Palopó on Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.
Set in a private, peaceful garden, the lakefont casitas are perfect for couples, families, or groups ready to explore the area and relax in the lush surroundings.
Sueños de Catarina is a non-profit organization that benefits the local community through a charitable foundation focused on education, health, and hygiene.
SHARED SPACE WITH POOL & HOT TUB!
A heated pool and hot tub are now open to all guests for Sueños de Santa Catarina! Boasting an incomparable view, this shared space with ample seating will accommodate all of your needs for sunshine and relaxation. Also available for AMAZING sunsets over Lake Atitlán! Join us!
CASITAS
All of our casitas are self-catering and offer private laundry facilities. Each contains three full bathrooms, two bedrooms, a living room with sofa bed, kitchen, and wrap-around balcony. A covered outdoor patio and small private garden contain outdoor dining tables and fire pits. A complete water filtration system services all of the casitas on the property. The water in each casita is potable and safe for drinking and cooking. Cable TV (with channels in English and Spanish) and wireless internet are available in each casita at no extra charge.
GALLERY
EXPLORE
Boat Tour
Catch a public boat from the pier to one of several locations around the lake. Or, book a private lancha. We’re happy to make the reservation and negotiate with the operator. Popular destinations include San Antonio Palopó, San Juan La Laguna, and San Marcos.
Casa Palopó
This five-star Relais & Chateau property, located 5 minutes outside of (and above) Santa Catarina has a fantastic restaurant and bar with incredible views. Perfect for a nice evening out. No children after 5 pm.
Birding
Lake Atitlán is a popular spot for spotters of our feathered friends, and the area boasts incredible avian diversity. We’re happy to book world-class birding tours with local guides, who know best where and when to spot them, including the elusive and breathtaking quetzal.
Panajachel
Pana is a bustling town, with several good restaurants, an artisanal market, and an art gallery. New coffee shops promoting the local bean are popping up all the time. A La Torre supermarket recently opened, an essential stop for anyone planning to self-cater.
Lake Sports
There are several adventure/sport companies in Pana that offer water-skiing, hang-gliding, parasailing, and more. You can find a list here.
Volcano Hike
Take a guided morning hike up a volcano for incredible sunrise views.
San Antonio Palopó
Our neighboring village is famous throughout Guatemala – and beyond – for its distinctive quality ceramics. You can visit the workshops, including a wonderful women’s collective that takes commissions from boutique home stores. They also take orders for custom/bespoke finishes, if they don’t have exactly what you’re looking for.
Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó
If you’re up for some voluntourism, this project is a fantastic way to make an impact and to meet members of the community. Painting a house side-by-side with the family who lives in it, or helping a business owner spruce up his shop makes a real contribution to the quality of life in the town. The locals have a deep sense of pride in the change their town is undergoing. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of. Please contact us in advance of your visit if you would like to volunteer, as the painting days are scheduled.
Santiago Atitlán
With a population upward of 50,000, Santiago Atitlán is the largest pueblo along the shores of Late Atitlán. The native Mayan population is Tz'uhujil speaking, and have been settled in the area for centuries. A large church and plaza in the center of town attest to a Spanish presence in the area dating from the late 16th century.The long history of interaction between the two cultures is complicated and fascinating. Artisan products include woven textiles, wood carving, and of course, the beautiful embroidery of the huipiles. A day spent in Santiago is both charming and thought provoking. This town can be accessed by public boat via Panajachel or by private boat rental from Santa Catarina.
ABOUT US
Sueños de Catarina is non-profit business run by The Sparks Foundation, a charitable organization based in Santiago, Atitlán. The property was developed to support the foundation in perpetuity, and all proceeds directly benefit the local community through education, health, and hygiene initiatives.
The foundation has built facilities for existing, local-run schools in Santiago. It has tackled malnutrition through food programs that provided every child with at least one healthy meal every day. A scholarship program is currently providing funding for secondary education, from básico through university, for over 150 students.
In Santa Catarina, the foundation has begun working with the local school by commissioning a water filtration system that provides clean drinking water to the children and faculty.
You can read more about our work here.