Reviewing My Stay at La Casa del Mundo on Lake Atitlan

👉 Jump to: Quick Review Summary | La Casa del Mundo Full Review | Final Verdict | Alternatives | FAQ

La Casa del Mundo is known as “Guatemala’s most magical hotel.” 

I stayed at La Casa del Mundo during my trip to Guatemala and was able to experience everything that this unique Lake Atitlán attraction has to offer. It features a level of homey charm and scenic beauty that few boutique hotels have, but there are some things to consider before booking your stay. 

For me, the beautiful views and welcoming feel of the hotel set La Casa del Mundo apart from other places to stay on Lake Atitlán. However, I did run into a few issues like spotty Wi-Fi in my room, a problem for someone like me who works from a laptop.

In this review, I’ll go over every aspect of the hotel (the good and the bad) to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

A Quick Summary

Casa del Mundo is a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel located on the sparkling shores of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. This hotel is unique because it offers some of the best (if not the best) views of the lake.

The ambiance of this hotel is what makes it worth visiting alone, with breathtaking scenery and charm at every turn. Tours and amenities are also offered. 

Drawbacks include the fact that it’s in a mostly isolated location from other Lake Atitlán towns and every amenity costs extra, rather than being included. In my experience, the WiFi was inconsistent outside of the restaurant and lobby which made it difficult for remote work. A small Spanish language barrier with some staff members is also something to keep in mind. 

Pros of La Casa del Mundo

• Incredible lake views throughout the hotel
• Beautiful design and local decoration
• Lots of originality and thoughtful touches
• Filtered water located throughout the hotel 
• Many scenic balconies, alcoves, and sitting areas
• Homey feel
• Activity amenities like kayaks, paddleboards, etc.
• Has areas for swimming
• Has hot tub and spa amenities 
• Local tours offered (hiking, cultural tours, etc.)
• Good restaurant food

Cons of La Casa del Mundo

• Location is isolated
• Spanish language barrier
• Many stairs 
• Credit cards aren’t accepted
• Inconsistent WiFi
• Almost all amenities come at an additional cost
• Restaurant service is a bit slow 
• Shower temperature can vary
• No gym

La Casa del Mundo is best for:

• Couples
• Families with older children
• Groups of travelers
• Travelers looking to relax and unwind

La Casa del Mundo might not be a fit for:

• Elderly guests
• Families with young children (stairs and layout might be dangerous for younger children)
• Business travelers who need WiFi

👇 View Prices, Reviews, and Availability

My Full La Casa del Mundo Review

Now that you’ve gotten a quick overview, let’s get into the details. The hotel is located in the small village of Jaibalito along Lake Atitlan. It features beautifully decorated rooms, endless scenic lookouts, and on-site amenities. 

The best part of the hotel in my opinion is simply relaxing outside in the charming and scenic ambiance. Some downsides of my stay included the lack of inclusive amenities and inconsistent WiFi. I’ll explain more below. First, let’s dive into the main amenities. 

Rooms

⭐ Star Rating: 5 / 5 stars

The hotel has 19 rooms with three main types: deluxe suites, suite rooms, and standard rooms. 

I stayed in a standard room during my stay. A standard room is medium-sized and good for 1-2 people. It includes a full-size bed, a private bathroom (some standard rooms have the option for a shared bathroom), and a patio area with a table and chairs or hammock. 

As a solo traveler, this was the ideal size for a comfortable stay. It definitely would have worked for two people but would have been a tighter squeeze overall. 

Deluxe suites are more open and have a queen bed + a single bed with the option to add another single bed. These rooms have their own private bathroom and balcony, and the most space out of all the rooms. There are two deluxe rooms in total. They are ideal for families or groups of friends. 

Suites are similar to deluxe rooms, just slightly smaller. They include a queen bed + a single bed, a private bathroom, and a private balcony. Suites are also ideal for 1-3 people. Some suites even have fireplaces.

In my experience, the beds are comfortable and a bit firm. Noise can be heard outside the rooms, but the hotel maintains a generally quiet and peaceful atmosphere at nighttime. Bed linens are more traditional Guatemalan textiles, but still comfortable. None of the rooms come with TVs, speakers, or kitchenettes. 

The bathrooms are clean and have walk-in showers. They come with towels, hand soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Hairdryers can be requested at the front desk. Water pressure was good throughout my stay, but the water temperature was a bit inconsistent between very hot and cold. 

It should be noted that the hotel has solar panels to help heat the property’s water and there were some cloudy days during my stay. I’m guessing this is why I had inconsistent water temperatures in the shower. They do claim to have propane gas heaters for longer stints of cloudy weather, though. Be sure to talk to the staff if you run into hot water problems.

Lighting is beautiful in each of the rooms because they all have lake-facing windows. This is a feature that I really appreciated. I loved being able to open the curtains every morning to let in light and be greeted by bright blue lake views and volcanoes in the distance.

Facilities

⭐ Star Rating: 5 / 5 stars

The common areas are a major part of what makes La Casa del Mundo so special. Main shared spaces include a small lobby and a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. 

The rest of the “shared” spaces are all outdoors. These include endless balconies, patios, and hidden coves nestled along the lake or within the landscaped cliffside. These shared spaces are outfitted with lounge chairs, tables, and hammocks for lazing the day away.  

Lakefront

⭐ Star Rating: 5 / 5 stars

The lakefront is one of the best amenities. The shores of Lake Atitlan surround the base of the cliffside hotel. This gives the property a few different coves for swimming, kayaking, and for the boats or, “lanchas,” to come in. 

As mentioned above, there are numerous lakefront patios with lounge chairs and hammocks to relax and indulge in the lake’s scenery. 

An important thing to note about Lake Atitlan is that it’s, unfortunately, a bit polluted. During my stay, I accidentally ingested some of the lake water when swimming. I ended up getting a stomach parasite and an ear infection due to this. Luckily, the main town, Panajachel had a great clinic called PanaMed, which is where I went for medical help. 

I’m not saying this to scare you from staying in the hotel. This can happen anywhere at Lake Atitlan. But it is something to consider. I recommend keeping your head above water to prevent you from accidentally ingesting something and getting sick. 

Spa

⭐ Star Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Hotel La Casa del Mundo has a small, but relaxing spa that’s made up of a massage room, steam sauna, and hot tub. These three things are located adjacent to one another on one side of the hotel along the lake’s shore. 

The hot tub is beautifully located above the Lake Atitlan shoreline and has views toward the volcanoes and main town, Panajachel. Unfortunately, access to the hot tub is not included in your room price and it must be reserved ahead of time. The hot tub costs 300Q or about $40 to use. 

I recommend splitting the cost with other guests, which is what I did. I didn’t love the fact the hot tub costs extra, but it is a beautiful spot and a relaxing way to enjoy the property if you don’t mind the extra cost. 

The massage room and steam sauna are located right near the hot tub. Both amenities can be requested at the front desk. I got a deep tissue massage during my stay and it was so nice because you can hear the lake waves crashing outside during your massage. Massages last for one hour and cost 350Q or $45.

Location

⭐ Star Rating: 5 / 5 stars

The location of Hotel La Casa del Mundo is what makes it special.

Unlike hotels in main towns like Panajachel, San Juan, and Santa Cruz La Laguna, Casa del Mundo is located in the small village of Jaibalito. This makes the property really private and grants visitors unparalleled lake views from almost every corner of the hotel. This also gives guests private lakefront access.

The downside of the hotel’s location is that it’s isolated. There aren’t many nearby cafes, shops, or things to do. You can walk about 10 minutes to reach Jaibalito or about 30 minutes to Santa Cruz La Laguna. To get anywhere else, you need to take a boat.

Dining

⭐ Star Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Cafe Jardin del Sol is Casa del Mundo’s on-site restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here, and indoor and outdoor seating is available. 

I ate at the restaurant for the majority of meals throughout my stay and was generally impressed. The variety of food is fairly wide and the quality was consistently fresh, tasty, and good. They serve local Guatemalan dishes as well as Western dishes like pasta and burgers.

The restaurant offers vegan, veggie, and gluten-free options. They can also create specialized meals if you have dietary restrictions or get sick and need something simple (which I did). 

I will say that the service in the restaurant is generally slower than what you’d expect in the USA. This seemed to be because servers and concierge all do a bit of everything, at least based on my observation. Slower service time may also be due to some cultural differences and a slowed-down pace of life. 

Customer Service

⭐ Star Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Guatemalan people are some of the kindest people I’ve met throughout my travels, and the staff at La Casa del Mundo was no exception. Overall, everyone was friendly. There were a couple of employees who were particularly kind and accommodating to me when I ended up getting sick during my stay. 

Check-In / Check-Out Process

⭐ Star Rating: 4 / 5 stars

The check-in and check-out process is smooth and simple. The hotel sends detailed instructions before your stay, so you know how to get to the property via boat. 

Check-in is at 1:00 pm and check-out is at 11:00 am. A deposit is paid when you book the hotel, but you pay for everything at check-out. Although, this can be arranged differently if you’d prefer. 

A downside is that the hotel doesn’t accept credit cards and only accepts cash, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, Revolut, and bank transfers. Other than that, check in and out were easy and there are people to help carry your luggage if you ask for it. 

Boats

⭐ Star Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Boats or “lanchas” are really the only way to reach the property. Luckily, the hotel has its own private dock. Public boats come through here every 10-20 minutes and private boats can be requested. Lanchas cost 25Q or about $3 per ride. 

Accessibility

⭐ Star Rating: 0 / 5 stars

Hotel La Casa del Mundo is not accessible-friendly. It has many stairs and this is the only way to navigate the property, as it’s built into a cliffside. The rooms have step-in showers, but there are no handrails. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone with a physical disability. 

Free WiFi, Speed, & Remote Work Setup

⭐ Star Rating: 2.5 / 5 stars

The WiFi was something I really struggled with during my stay. The WiFi worked in some outside areas and consistently worked in the lobby and restaurant of the hotel. However, the WiFi was inconsistent and would dip in and out of my room.

I heard from other guests that it worked just fine in some rooms, so maybe it was just mine. Despite this, one of the staff members did try their best to resolve the issue for me. 

My room didn’t have a desk, but many of the rooms do. You’re also welcome to work from the restaurant tables, as I did. The staff doesn’t mind. 

Cleanliness

⭐ Star Rating: 5 / 5 stars

La Casa del Mundo is very clean overall. The property is constantly being cleaned and the grounds are well maintained. You can have housekeeping clean your room as often or as little as needed.

It should be noted though, that the hotel and Lake Atitlan are surrounded by jungle. Some insects in the rooms are unavoidable, despite thorough and frequent cleaning by housekeeping.

Value for Money

⭐ Star Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars

Hotel La Casa del Mundo has a great value for its price. The hotels around Lake Atitlan range between $40 and $150 per night, and Hotel La Casa del Mundo falls in the middle. The value here lies in the hotel’s magnificent location, on-site amenities, and incredible atmosphere. 

Most amenities and tours cost extra here. However, the fact that everything from an on-site restaurant to cultural tours, spa amenities, and more, are offered, is what makes visiting this hotel an experience, not just a stay. 

👉 Read Next: Best Things to Do in Antigua, Guatamala

Hotel Details & Information

• Casa del Mundo Website
• Google Maps
• Hotel Phone: +502 5218-5332
• Number of Rooms: 19
• Year Built: 1988 (opened in 1997)
• Closest Airport: Quetzaltenango Airport (21 miles), La Aurora International Airport (47 miles)
• Nearby Attractions: Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve
• Nearby Restaurants: Cafe Jardin del Sol, El Indigo Cafe 
• Check-In Time: 1:00 pm
• Check-Out Time: 11:00 am
• Pets Policy: No pets

Hotel Amenities

Types of Rooms: 

• Non-smoking
• Suites
• Standard Economy
• Family rooms
• Lake view
• Lakefront
• Garden view

Room Amenities:

• Desks in some rooms
• Extra pillows and blankets
• Housekeeping
• Shower
• Safe in office
• Shelves and hooks 
• Iron
• Private bathrooms
• Standard Outlet
• Complimentary toiletries
• Hair dryer
• Umbrella 
• Flashlight 
• Glasses and pitcher 

Property Amenities:

• Hot tub
• Lakefront
• Spa
• Key access
• WiFi
• Highchairs available
• Restaurant (open breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Balcony views
• Baggage storage
• Non-smoking hotel
• 24-hour security
• Laundry service

FINAL VERDICT – Is La Casa del Mundo Worth It? 

La Casa del Mundo is the perfect place to indulge and experience the beauty and relaxation of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. The scenic views and relaxing atmosphere are what make it worth visiting, especially for couples, families, and travelers looking to rest. 

Everything from the local and thoughtfully chosen decor to the restaurant and on-site activities makes it feel like a small, homey resort that’s just there for you. 

The lack of inclusive amenities and unstable WiFi were the biggest downsides for me. But overall, the beauty and atmosphere of La Casa del Mundo outweigh the cons. 

STAR RATING: 4.5 / 5 stars 

👇 View Prices, Reviews, and Availability

La Casa del Mundo Alternatives

If La Casa del Mundo doesn’t fit the bill because of price, location, or other factors, here are a couple of alternatives to consider:

• Hotel Atitlan – Hotel Atitlan is a great alternative if you’re looking for similar charm, amenities, and views, but want to be closer to a bigger town. Hotel Atitlan is located in the main town of Panajachel. 
• Noah’s Ark Hotel & Restaurant – A similar vibe to Casa del Mundo, but overall more simple and affordable. Noah’s Ark Hotel is located in Santa Cruz la Laguna. 

FAQs

What makes La Casa Del Mundo so special?

What makes La Casa del Mundo so special is its location. The hotel is built into the cliffside and the entire hotel offers breathtaking views of Lake Atitlan and the surrounding volcanoes. The decor and atmosphere of the hotel are also stunning and reflect the beauty of Guatemalan culture. 

When is the best time of year to visit La Casa Del Mundo?

The best time to visit La Casa del Mundo reflects the best time to visit Guatemala, which is between November and April. However, it can still very much be enjoyed throughout the rainy season (May through October).

Does La Casa Del Mundo accept credit cards?

La Casa del Mundo does not accept credit cards. They accept cash payments in U.S. dollars or local Quetzales. They also accept PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and Revolut. Bank transfers are accepted, too.

Does La Casa del Mundo have a good location? 

La Casa del Mundo arguably has one of the best locations on Lake Atitlan in terms of scenery. However, Casa del Mundo is located within the small village of Jaibalito, which is quite isolated from other main towns. 

How much does it cost to stay at La Casa del Mundo? 

La Casa del Mundo has dynamic prices that can vary based on season and availability. Based on my research, a room typically costs between $60 and $150, depending on the room type. Check prices on booking here.

👉 Want more helpful travel tips? Sign up for our newsletter!

***

Overall, La Casa del Mundo is a beautiful hotel that shows off the beauty of Guatemala and Lake Atitlan. Have you been? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Before you go, don’t miss my guide on where to stay in Antigua!