El Hotelito Perdido
Rio Lampara, Rio Dulce 18002 Guatemala
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About
#1 of 32 Specialty lodging in Rio Dulce
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.7
Value
4.7
Please email or call us directly if the dates you have chosen show as sold out. Hotelito Perdido is a boutique jungle eco lodge situated in the heart of the Rio Dulce National Park, tucked away on one of the small freshwater tributaries that feed the Rio Dulce. Although it feels like a million miles from anywhere, being just off the popular tourist route between Livingston and the town of Rio Dulce means that the hotel is easily accessible by boat. Both Lonely Planet and Rough Guide currently list the hotel as one of their 'recommended destinations' in the region. The hot springs, the manatee reserve and some beautiful waterfalls are within kayaking distance of the hotel. We rent kayaks and wooden cayucos, we organize various tours (to Livingston, Tiger's Cave, Mayan Q'eqchi village, Manatee Reserve etc.). We offer drinks, homemade food, we make our own bread and we eat our evening meal together, family style. There is dock to swim from, Gym and Yoga House for guests to use, beautiful tropical gardens with fruit trees, plenty of hammocks to relax in, games to play and good books to read. There is communal house with bar, lounge and restaurant, there is a b-b-q area and hammock house by the dock. The hotel can currently accommodate 14 guests. We offer bungalows with private bathrooms, rooms and the Jungle Loft with 5 beds. The hotel is fully solar powered.
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Property amenities
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Snack bar
Canoeing
Hiking
Baggage storage
Sun terrace
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
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Rio Lampara, Rio Dulce 18002 Guatemala
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Hotelito Perdido has everything we were looking for in our stay in Rio Dulce: the location, the people, the food, the vibe. The staff is super kind and professional, always helping you plan and book your next activity and trip. The food (vegetarian options, all homemade) is delicious - their bread and homemade chocolate are a must-try. The place is just beautiful, surrounded by the jungle and on the river, that you can explore with a kayak or paddle board. The place is perfect for travellers who want to relax but also experience a feeling of community and make new friends. Dinner is served at 6.30 pm around the main table, so everyone gathers together and that’s how you meet amazing people.
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Date of stay: March 2022
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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This is what I really liked about the place: It’s very quiet and embedded in amazing nature. The location is incredible on a side river off the Rio Dulce. It’s not easy to get to, but I didn’t mind that, it was part of the appeal. The actual accommodation is great, well built little huts spread around lush jungle garden, stylish hammocks and bright textiles. Kind of an upmarket hostel feel. There’s a yoga space and a platform right on the river to lay in a hammock. The appeal is very much for a laid back younger set of travellers, although it’s not backpacker budget price really. The evening meal is served in a large communal area around a big table. It is a simple vegetarian meal and fairly ok. There’s no choice. The local ladies in the kitchen are preparing to a set of a recipes for the visitors, so it’s not really typical Guatemalan food. There is a choice for breakfast. And this is what I didn’t like about the place. The Hotelito has a new owner from the States. Before travelling there I had spent time booking/communicating with a lady who has sold the business in its entirety. The new owner seems to see it mainly as a business opportunity. He seems a little out of place, speaking no Spanish and is not the kind of person you might immediately associate with running a kind of eco-friendly type hotel in the jungle. There was just a bit of a weird vibe as I believe it was a totally new enterprise for him and he did not seem like a natural in the hospitality business. He is busy building extra massage rooms and making ‘capital improvements’. Price wise everything adds up at the Hotelito. You fill out a charge sheet as you go along with any meals, coffees or beers you drink or if you use the Kayaks. Bear in mind you can’t leave without paying a boat trip to Livingston or Rio Dulce or paddling there in a Kayak. I was a bit fed up at having to pay for a fourth night even though I explained on arrival we would be leaving after three nights. I booked initially four nights but we wanted to leave a day earlier and had to pay the extra night nevertheless which is fair enough, but it wasn’t totally necessary as there were plenty of other guests arriving. I had the same situation in other places where we stayed before and we weren’t charged when changing our plans. The place uses foreign volunteers who stay there and help out acting as a bit of a bridge between the local Mayan staff (who were all lovely, especially the nice guy who does the gardens) and the guests. The young girl who was there when we visited was lovely and super helpful but had decided to leave her volunteering early because of the changes in ownership and general atmosphere etc of the place. She is interested in sustainable tourism but decided to leave when we did, cutting short her time there. There seem to be a lot of big changes going on at the Hotelito It is foreseeable that these steps will have a big impact on the tranquility and charm of the place and it may indeed lose its way. I was quite glad to leave and would not return.…
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Hotelito Perdido, General Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Aug 27, 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you for your kind description of the place, is a big achievement for me to buy such a beautiful and charm place. It looks like what you did not like about the place was around me. I have been in the hospitality business for 30 years. I am sorry that I do not reflect it in my face. If we would talk maybe you would have a truth opinion about me. Also, my look does not appeal to you like eco-friendly person. I am not sure what to make of that observation. I am learning Spanish; it is not easy, but I am doing my best. The lovely volunteer never told me what you are saying.... I would have liked to explain to her, that buying solar fans for the rooms are also a sustainable practice. The 'Capital improvement ' you mentioned are 100% for give you more comfort for the same price (solar fans and more hammock space). Finally, your only complain that was not about me is regarding our cancelation policy. It is fair that if you make me close a bungalow then you paid for it, since the first moment in your reservation we told you cancelations in the last moment has to be paid, you know it months before your arriving, we did not change the rules. Next time you come back to the area, come and say hello. I will be glad to talk to you, we can learn about each other to have a new perspective. I want to thank you for your feedback. We always appreciate constructive critiques. Sincerely, Tim Merritt
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed in a single room with a shared bathroom which was the best price/quality stay of my whole time in Guatemala. The rooms are spacious and clean. I was travelling alone and at first I was a bit scared of feeling lonely there because it's such a remote place and looks very romantic. But it was completely the opposite, we had a "family dinner" every night where we sat at one table with +/- 12 people from all over the world. The food was great, the talks even better and their hospitality is amazing. Didn't feel lonely for a second. Please check my comments below to see if the hotel fits you well. If you don't like eating at a table with other people this might not be for you (it would be a pity because I really had some lovely conversations). there's no restaurant you can go to instead in the evening. They only cook vegetarian but the food is SO good The cellphone connection is terrible and they have wifi now between 07u00 - 17u30 but it's not very good. You're in the middle of the jungle, so please prepare for a lot of bugs,ants and you might see other jungly animals. Although I didn't even see 1 bug or spider in my room :)! (they have mosquito nets over all the beds). I stayed there for 3 nights and it really felt like a vacation within my vacation. Thank you so much Alejandra and the volunteer (originaly from Thailand but I forgot his name, sorry) for your hospitality. Oh, one last thing. I'd reccomend booking a massage, it was amazing. …
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Date of stay: November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Aska_hotelito, General Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Nov 26, 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for reviewing our place and for your nice comments. It is lovely to know that you had such a good time and will forward your kind words to Tang, Alejandra. We hope that you enjoyed the rest of your time in Guatemala and will come back to stay with us again. Best regards from Hotelito Perdido
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our stay at hotelito perdido was PERFECT. Alejandra welcomed us very kindly and was very friendly answering our questions. We hope to come back some day and enjoy the hotelito perdido for a longer period of time :-)
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Aska_hotelito, Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Oct 22, 2019
Thank you very much! :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We are a group of 8 people (2 families of 4 each, including 2 teenagers per family between 11 and 15 years) with extensive experience on traveling and Hotelito Perdido stands out as one of our "never to forget" experiences! It's a complete hidden gem somewhere in a gifted corner of Rio Dulce! The location is perfect and the bungalows are truly enchanting. We felt so welcome from start to end. Aska is a sublime host and she assures that you get the best from everything in the area. Our kids were amazed by the natural swimming in the hot river waters, by the experience of jumping into the water in dark-light cave (Cueva del Tigre) but, above all, by the sense of being in a magical setting. So did we. Thank you so much Aska and Pablo for all the care!
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Aska_hotelito, Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Apr 15, 2019
Thank you very much! :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
When your dream comes true... if you are looking for peaceful, beauty, nature amazing food and fantastic people... this is your place! Aska will welcome you and offer you bungalows with bathrooms in the middle of the jungle on a small and beautiful river. Really clean, comfortable and so cute... surrounded by flowers and birds. I recommend to eat there as well. You will enjoy kayaking, hiking swimming, and most important resting... my favorite place for sure in Guatemala! FABULOUS!!! MUST GO!
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Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Aska_hotelito, Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Feb 24, 2019
Thank you very much! :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stayed in the front cabana- Mango for two nights. An absolutely beautiful setting, perfectly run and well kempt. The staff were helpful and very knowledgeable. An although I wish our visit had been different as my friend and I were ill during our entire visit (which had nothing to do with hotelito perdido, was due to a meal we ate before arriving), the entire staff went out of their way to check on us, provide alternative food and making special arrangement for our transport. Will definitely want to go back. I can't imagine that there is a nicer place to stay in the area.
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Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Only some cabanas have private baths. some are two story and the stairs are very steep somewhat...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Aska_hotelito, Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Feb 22, 2019
Dear Mandy, Thank you very much for your positive feedback and kind words. We were sorry to see you so ill and unable to enjoy all that the area has to offer. We hope you've made a full recovery now, and would look forward to having you stay with us again should you be in the area. Best wishes, Hotelito Perdido Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Hotelito Perdido is a magical place. If you go to Guatemala I highly recommend going to Rio Dulce and staying here specifically. Here's a little run-down of what it's all about; The property - you land by boat (no roads in these parts), there is a long gravel walkway leading up to the main building (restaurant area with dorm rooms above), with pools full of crabs and turtles either side, as well as beautifully designed stilted bungalows, with showers on the ground floor and spacious bedrooms above. Highly recommend coming to the property via Livingston - there is a stunning canyon where the river meets the carribean ocean just as you enter the Rio Ducle itself. There is also a jetty at the waterfront where you can chill on deck chairs, dive into the river from, and sit and watch the birds returning home in the evening after their daily errands. The location - set off a small river outlet of larger main river, is more secluded compared to some of the other hotels on the river. It's only a 10 min paddle on a kayak to the mangroves, one of the best places to see birds and other wildlife. It's also a 15min kayak trip from a restaurant called El Viajero - when we went it had one of the best crab dishes I think I have ever tried (small crabs fried in garlic), and they also serve giant grilled prawns from the ocean and snails that come from the lake. A great place to go get lunch whilst you take a break from exploring the area. The atmosphere - the staff are a mix of volunteers (from USA and Costa Rica when we were there) and locals. They run the place really well, and are super friendly and helpful. The design of the place - using solar power so no noise from generators etc - is stunning, set into nature rather than on top of it, and the whole atmosphere feels tranquil and friendly. There is an "honesty" system when it comes to extras - so if you take a beer from the cooler cabin, you just make a note of it on your booking page. It typifies the kind of place this is. The food - all vegetarian. I'm not a veggie but the food at dinner was delicious. Every evening all the guests sit down to a communal meal around a massive table, and stuff themselves with vegetable lasagna or coconut curry, share beers, rums, stories and card games. We met some fantastic people on this leg of our trip - mostly couples, all friendly and open minded and curious to find out about one another. Lunch was less good - basically massive sandwiches, all edible but not exciting. Better off eating crabs at the restaurant El Viajero. The activities - highly recommend bringing binoculars, even if you are not a massive bird watching fan. These aren't just ordinary birds. Get yourself a kayak and head to the mangroves (10 mins paddle away) where you can see lots of kingfishers, otters playing in the water, herons, oropendolas, parrots and toucans (if you're lucky, they tended to hang out at the top of trees), and/or the parrelel river of Rio Tameja, where you can see iguanas in the trees, hawks perching on branches in the fields, and a plethora of other bird-life making it's presence known. Other activities (hiking to Livingston, visiting a waterfall etc) are available, but with this much wildlife around, we just spent 4 days on the kayaks paddling around in amazement at it all. Overall a really magical experience.…
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Aska_hotelito, Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Feb 2, 2019
Thank you very much :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I stayed in one of the thatched bungalows, which was beautifully made in hardwood, spotlessly clean, with its own bathroom (lovely hot water!) and sitting room downstairs and bedroom upstairs. The bed was extraordinarily comfortable, with a mosquito net, and I slept ten hours solidly for the three nights I was there; the only noise was the rustling leaves and lapping water from the river. So relaxing! The meals - served in the main house - were delicious, vegetarian and huge portions. And the home-made bread was addictive! There were people of all ages and many different nationalities while I was there, and sitting around the communal table we had great conversations about travel, jobs and more. I spent each day kayaking, swimming in the river (wonderful!) and reading. The local Guatemalan staff are great, and the international volunteers very attentive and helpful. I live in Guatemala and it is one of my two favourite places to stay in the whole country!…
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Traveled solo
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The bungalows are lovely!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Aska_hotelito, Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Feb 24, 2019
Thank you very much
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had an incredible stay here. The personal is friendly and helpful. The food was great and we enjoyed the lovely dinners with the whole group who stayed in this guesthouse. Its highly recommended to swim in the river. The water is awesome.
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Explorer602807, Manager at El Hotelito Perdido
Responded Jan 22, 2019
Thank you very much :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
$26 - $28 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
GuatemalaIzabal DepartmentRio Dulce
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about El Hotelito Perdido
Which popular attractions are close to El Hotelito Perdido?
Nearby attractions include Cueva Del Tigre (1.6 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at El Hotelito Perdido?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast.
What food & drink options are available at El Hotelito Perdido?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to El Hotelito Perdido?
Conveniently located restaurants include Casa Nostra Restaurant, Restaurant Casa Rosada, and Restaurante El Viajero.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at El Hotelito Perdido?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.