I spent a nice week in Belize, between the island of Caye Caulker and the wild nature of San Ignacio. But I’m back on the road, a crossing of the Mopan river, and here I am in Guatemala ! I’m back to speaking Spanish, once and for all… Or almost. First Guatemalan stage in the two Jaguar Inn hotels, belonging to Edmundo and his sister Natalia: In Tikal, then in Santa Elena (just in front of the small Flores island, on the Petén Itzá lake). Edmundo and Natalia’s dad was Guatemalan and their mom English, so it is a sweet transition towards Spanish-speaking as both of them are bilingual English/Spanish (Natalia even speaks French, she studied a year in Montpellier). Ready to follow archeologists steps besides me on this very famous UNESCO Maya site of Tikal ?
At the heart of the national park of Tikal
In the sixties the mom of Edmundo and his four siblings, originally from England, goes to Tikal at the end of a great journey through Latin America. She fells in love with this little village, lost in the middle of the rainforest, with its Maya ruins abandoned for a thousand years and just re-discovered in 1840. She also fells in love with a man who will become Edmundo’s dad, a local Guatemalan. It’s a life project taking shape. Together, they first open a restaurant, then offer to rent “Cabanas” to the archeologists working on the site. The Jaguar Inn is born !
At the beginning the site could almost only be reached by air (A path was existing, but hardly passable). Then the site got classified as UNESCO world heritage in 1979 and a road was eventually built. Tikal is considered nowadays as the former capital of the Maya world and has become the main touristic attraction of Guatemala.
I spend 2 magical days in there, welcomed by Carlos, the manager, and his fabulous team. I’m really treated well: “accrobranche” in the top of the rainforest canopy, guided tour of the archeological site at 4am to live the “sunrise experience” among howler monkeys screams and the numerous birds, little improvised walk towards a marsh where you can spot crocodiles in their natural environment, delicious local cuisine and banana/strawberry milkshakes as I like them… Thanks a lot to you all, it has been a wonderful experience :-).
On the shores of the Petén Itzá lake
Then I’m back from Tikal to meet Edmundo, the hotel owner, and I stay 2 days in their 2nd hotel. It is located in Santa Elena, just besides the charming little Flores island, on the Petén Itzá lake.
Edmundo is now in charge of the Tikal hotel (13 rooms), while his sister is in charge of the Santa Elena. As kids, Edmundo and Natalia grew up within Tikal village. Then Edmundo went to England to study business, traveled the world, and came back to set up in Santa Elena. I spend 2 great days with Edmundo in Santa Elena. During the day we work, and at night we go for dinner and we try local specialties: Lake’s white fish, honey fried bananas, or even the local rum shots. We also spend some time with my french friend Guillaume who is also around. As I said, we will be following each other around with Guillaume, so we’ll probably meet often :-).
And it’s only the beginning…
During the day, I help out Edmundo and Laryssa (who is in charge of the bookings). I introduce them to the PMS / Channel Manager existing solutions, which could help them enhance the management (with the help of my Irish friend Ben, from a distance). I suggest some activities to offer in order to extend the guests length of stay, as well as some sustainable practices listed on Hopineo which they could draw inspiration from.
Since Tikal got classified as national park, it is not possible to build new facilities anymore. There is only 3 small hotels located at the entrance of the Tikal park (including the Jaguar Inn), and the place is receiving more visitors every year. Edmundo is therefore sitting on a treasure. So far the hotel has a 3 -star rating, with average rates around 80 USD per night. The idea is to position the hotel towards the eco-touristic market, but also, why not in the future, to try to upmarket to become a 4 or 5 stars boutique-hotel (like Ka’Ana Resort in Belize ?). It would implies important investments, but there is also an opportunity to seize … See you in 5 years Edmundo ?
Find all the pictures of Guatemala in “Photo Galleries“.
And You ?
Did you ever traveled to Guatemala ?
Which place do you prefer ?
Any advice in order to improve the Jaguar Inn hotels webpage ?
Translated by my traveling mate Guillaume (Merci !!!)