- Blancaneaux Lodge • Belize
- Turtle Inn • Belize
- Coral Caye • Belize
- La Lancha • Guatemala
- Jardin Escondido • Argentina
- Palazzo Margherita • Italy
- All-Movie Hotel • USA
When Francis Ford Coppola first encountered the rainforests of Guatemala, he recognized something profound — a landscape where ancient spirituality connects through towering cecropia trees and morning mists rise from sacred lakes. This wasn’t just another filming location; it was a place that demanded reverence, intimacy, and the most thoughtful expression of hospitality.
Our vision for Guatemala Tikal hotels emerged from understanding that true luxury in Maya country means creating spaces where guests feel the profound weight of history while enjoying genuine comfort. La Lancha represents this philosophy — a 10-room hideaway perched in the rainforest high above Lago Petén Itzá, where each dwelling serves as a personal sanctuary crafted with careful attention to detail.
The landscape around Tikal offers various accommodation options, each with distinct character. We believe location matters deeply, but only when combined with spaces that honor their setting through thoughtful curation and authentic cultural connection.
Our mindset begins with scale. La Lancha maintains just 10 individual dwellings — each thoughtfully designed and culturally authentic. This deliberate intimacy allows our team to know your preferences and craft experiences with personal attention.
Every element within La Lancha reflects the Coppola family’s careful selection, from hand-chosen Guatemalan textiles woven by accomplished artisans to furnishings that represent generations of craftsmanship. These spaces transcend simple accommodation, becoming environments where sophisticated travelers find both inspiration and comfort.
Our accommodations offer distinct Guatemala Tikal hotels experiences:
Our position just 45 minutes from Tikal National Park provides convenient access while our elevated lakeside location offers something special: morning coffee with nature’s sounds and evening drinks overlooking waters that have reflected Maya ceremonies for centuries.
La Vista Bonita Restaurant exemplifies our philosophy of authentic luxury. Beneath traditional thatch roofing with forest canopy views, this open-air restaurant serves exceptional Guatemalan cuisine — house-made chilaquiles prepared with traditional recipes, prime beef tenderloin grilled on the parilla with chiltepe peppercorn sauce, fresh lake fish delivered hours after harvest. The tortilla-making sessions represent genuine cultural exchange, where our accomplished local team shares techniques refined across generations.
La Lancha operates according to principles that reflect our commitment to authentic hospitality, with a team of cultural ambassadors who view sharing their heritage as personal pride and often form relationships spanning years with returning guests. This approach extends to our exclusive offerings, including complete property rentals accommodating up to 26 guests across all dwellings, perfect for celebrations or multi-generational gatherings featuring private dining at our lakefront Mirador, authentic Maya cultural experiences, and customized adventure itineraries.
Seasonal experiences enhance your stay:
La Lancha offers a distinct vision among Tikal inns, where access to archaeological treasures combines with cultural immersion and refined comfort to create meaningful experiences.
Contact our vacation planning team to begin crafting your Guatemala experience, where ancient Maya heritage meets contemporary comfort in spaces designed for discovery and genuine connection.
The Family Coppola Hideaways began with Francis Ford Coppola’s discovery of an abandoned lodge in Belize’s rainforest while filming “Apocalypse Now.” What started as a personal retreat evolved into a collection of intimate properties across Belize and Guatemala, each reflecting our belief that hospitality should be a form of storytelling.
We create hideaways rather than traditional resorts, choosing beautiful, off-the-beaten-path locations where guests enjoy individual dwellings and genuine privacy. Every detail — from locally sourced art to staff uniforms — is personally curated by the Coppola family, reflecting our understanding that true luxury emerges from authenticity rather than ostentation. Our properties maintain deliberately small scales, with no more than 27 rooms each, ensuring the personalized attention that larger establishments simply cannot provide.
At The Family Coppola Hideaways, we view the hotel business as theatrical experience where guests are our audience and we are the cast. Our team consists of local people who take pride in sharing their culture, creating the warm, familial atmosphere that defines our brand. We believe the best travel experiences happen when comfort meets adventure, when luxury serves discovery, and when every stay becomes part of a larger story worth telling.
La Lancha is located just 45 minutes by road from Tikal’s entrance gates. We arrange comfortable transportation and can coordinate timing for sunrise tours or extended archaeological visits.
La Vista Bonita Restaurant serves authentic Guatemalan cuisine in an open-air setting with forest canopy views. We also offer private lakefront dining at our romantic Mirador location and two bars — one at the restaurant and another at the lakefront with panoramic lake views.
Guatemala’s dry season (December-April) offers ideal conditions for archaeological exploration, while the green season (May-November) provides lush landscapes and fewer crowds. Each season brings unique experiences, from dramatic afternoon storms to perfect sunrise visibility at Tikal.