Best Hotels at Lake Atitlan:
Hotel Paco Real in San Marcos

San Marcos, one of the crown jewels of Lake Atitlan, has its own jewel—the recently renovated Hotel Paco Real. The tropical setting, central location, and friendly and helpful staff make Paco Real among the top places to stay at the lake. It is also home of the San Marcos Spanish School, one of the few local schools that offers university credit for their courses.

Clean, Fresh Lodging

Lodging options on the spacious grounds range from a dormitory, to rooms with shared bath and shower, or with private facilities. All are freshly painted and decked out with new tile, and the wiring and plumbing was replaced throughout the hotel. Clean and fresh best describe the all-new Paco Real. (TripAdvisor.com recently said that “Canadian-style cleanliness standards” have been imposed.)

Dining and Drinking

The restaurant, run by Mario (seen in photo with Ramon), offers the town’s only professional coffee machine (with freshly ground coffee), and locals as well as travelers show up regularly for the capucinno and other coffee-based drinks. A full range of continental, tipico and vegetarian selections is available, and breakfast, is served from 7:30 AM and the day.

You can watch movies and sports on the huge TV in the dining room/bar, highlighted by stained glass windows and a fireplace, or eat outdoors under covered seating.

Skype and Wi-Fi

Paco Real has other unique services, such as the only Skype in town, Wi-Fi for guests and diners, and in-house laundry. There’s a Mayan-style sauna for relaxing, though just strolling about the grounds is relaxation in itself.

Local ownership (Maya and Canadian) ensure a balanced approach to running the hotel. Ramon and Frank, with years of experience, have transformed an average hotel into a tropical vacation retreat that has become one of the most popular places in town.

Two entrances, one on the main path up to town, another on a central path, make Paco Real as convenient a place to stay as it is a refreshing change of pace from the average hotel at the lake. Reservations are recommended, especially during high season.

Phone: 4084-5974

Email: info@hotelpacoreal.com

Web Site: Hotel Paco Real