La Lancha

They take years to plan, scout and develop, and present so many logistical challenges along the way that simply to finish one, to say nothing of a whole trilogy, is possibly enough achievement for a lifetime. Of course we’re talking about movies, but it’s equally true of hotels — just ask Francis Ford Coppola, who, after innumerable films (and a side line in winemaking), has opened his third Central American eco-lodge, La Lancha, on Lake Peten Itzá, near Tikal, in Guatemala.

It’s the third in a trilogy that already includes Blancaneaux Lodge and the Turtle Inn, in Belize. The La Lancha experience is very much of a piece with its sisters: a lush rainforest setting, an emphasis on low-impact living, and close proximity to some Mayan historic sites, in this case the Unesco site at Tikal.

Where it differs is in the finish. This is a more rough and rustic experience, ten rooms with shared terraces, some with views of the lake. You’re not here for the luxury, but for the setting. The immediate rainforest surroundings would be enough, but La Lancha throws in the spectacular Lake Peten Itzá and the Tikal ruins for good measure — plus a restaurant that mixes authentic Guatemalan cuisine with Italian-style wood-fired pizzas and wines from the Coppola concern.

How to Get There:
La Lancha is approximately a 45 minute drive from Flores International Airport or a 3 hour drive from Blancaneaux Lodge. A 1 hour flight links Flores International with Belize International Airport. Flights and overland transfers as well as tours to Tikal need pre-booking.