What I Packed for a Long Weekend in Guatemala

"La Casa del Mundo was truly the highlight of the trip—we opted for a suite, which had three beds and a charming little patio where we would sit and read in the mornings and sip cocktails in the afternoons. The property is only accessible by boat, so we hopped on a ferry in Panajachel, the main hub visitors enter through to get to the many small towns around the lake, and zipped over in about 20 minutes. If stairs are not in the cards, this property is not for you—it's built into a cliffside (Lake Atitlán is in a massive volcanic crater, after all), and has a maze of winding stairs leading up to the casita-style rooms, front office and restaurant, and numerous outdoor seating areas, each with their own mix of hammocks, lawn chairs, and chaise lounge chairs. At the hotel, we rented kayaks and paddleboards to take onto the lake, and could jump (or walk) in from various points around the base of the property. Stairs aside, it provided the ultimate relaxation we needed after the challenging hike up the Acatenango Volcano. While I'm happy we left during the afternoons to visit more of the lakeside towns, I could have easily spent a few days doing a whole lot of nothing right there at La Casa del Mundo."