Name: El Tular Santuario Natural
Address: CA-18, San Jose Pinula, Guatemala, San José Pinula, San José Pinula, San José Pinula, Guatemala
Rating: 9

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Smoke-free property

Gift shop

Garden

General

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Family room

Rooms

Safe-deposit box

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Restaurant

Snack bar

Meals

Spanish

English

Italian

French

Languages Spoken

Bike rental

Recreation

Free parking

Parking

Swimming pool

Outdoor pool

Pool and beach

Fax and copy machine

Business

Family/Kid Friendly

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

La Aurora International Airport

El Tular Santuario Natural

San José Pinula

Orquid watcher sanctuary

"A perfect location for retreats, hikes, and connecting with nature. The delicious and organic food adds to the charm. An unforgettable experience! I'd love to return soon."

Ideal for large groups, we stayed for just 2 nights. Sleeping in these cabins with organic bathrooms, the scent of wood, and this tranquility was incredible.

Perfect retreat place!

El tular is a beautiful wetland with 5 rustic rooms, no TV or good internet connection, and that's one of its hits... the silence. The best place to relax inside the city... although by chance it seems to be somewhere in Asia. The restaurant, very good, rustic food well prepared and well presented... don't miss the pizza (anywhere) and the humus...

Off the grid

The adventure starts with the ride up to the sanctuary. Park in the gated lot then leave it all behind.  I was greeted by the most outstanding staff of any placed I had ever visited.

Take it all in! When you arrive take the time to let your eyes absorb it all.  Then you will have the opportunity to hear nature.  You see it. You feel it.  You hear it, but most of all you will taste it.  The fresh vegetables are outstanding.  Lucy the chef will say the food is so good because Guatemalan's cook with love.  She said "love" is the secret ingredient.  I would go back just for the food. 

The bungalows were extremely clean.  They have DRY toilets.  The sawdust is blended with cinnamon .  My bathroom never had an odor.  There were many clever details.  In my room an old Singer sewing machine was repurposed to be my sink.  My outdoor shower was warm with good pressure. I was in the purple room.

I enjoyed sitting in the clay pot sauna with 7 other people.   I felt like the children in Hansel and Gretel when the door shut.  However, the lemon grass on the hot stones produced a soothing scent.  The sky light was made of bottles.  It seemed that I was baking in a piece of art instead of an oven.  It is called a Temetzcal. Please note that the Metzcal is at the bar. 

There was a small swimming pool.  Ask for information about hiking trails and bikes.  Explore the on-site garden. My nap in the hammock seemed endless.
 
After dinner you are invited to sit at the fire pit.  The stars are their own show.  Look at the sky and see stars as bright as light bulbs.  Orion's belt was like "bling".

Bring your phone because there are solar powered outlets.  I was completely charged and able to take  many pictures and text without issue.  A beautiful glass craft held fresh water that was on a tray with chocolate covered almonds. Clean white towels and new looking linen on the beds were an additional treat.  The room was cold, but the comforter was really hot. I woke up forgetting there wasn't any heat in the room because I was so cozy.  The sounds of nature lulled me to sleep a free serenade just for me. 

Mosquitoes were a problem, but they provide an all natural essential oil blend bug spray.  Just ask.

There is a fully stocked bar (how did I forget to mention that ?)

Perfection, Pizza, and Peace

We spent a might here with the family and absolutely loved it! super friendly staff, excellent food and an amazing place to relax, hike through indigenous forest and just relax.  highly recommend it as we would have loved to spend more time here. will come back! 

absolutely lovely mountain retreat to relax

Spent two lovely days relaxing in paradise just a few minutes away from Guatemala city. Food is amazingly good and the staff is outstanding. 
Perfect place to disconnect and feel comfortable in the wildness of the jungle! 
Rooms are surprisingly luxurious with that green touch that makes your stay unforgettable.

Amazing green experience

He had a contact with God as he had not long ago, for the place practically allowed me to merge with nature and who, in contact with it does not find the Creator, will not find him almost in any way, is one of those places that transport you to the back of your soul if you give it the opportunity.

A truly incredible place.

You can use your WAZE app to get there. You can spend the day at the lodge. Excellent atmosphere care and food Walkers. Games and nature a real sanctuary. You have to call to make a reservation. You arrive at a parking lot where you leave your car and are transported for about 5 km.

An eco-friendly, comfortable, fun and close to the city place.

I should preface this review by saying I lived in Guatemala City for many years. And oh how I wish this slice of paradise had been open when I did - my quality of life would have increased exponentially!

El Tular really is an isolated haven. A wonderful, rustic (yet comfortable - see below) getaway from the rush and grime of city life. The property has been in the family of the owner for generations, and the ecolodge is clearly a true labor of love, not only of the owner but of all of her staff as well. You would be hard-pressed to find a better group of people anywhere. 

This isn't the place to come if you're looking for loads of activity or pampering - but if you are content with simple beauty - spending time hiking in the woods, orchid hunting, relaxing around the cabins or the natural pools, or, to my delight, practicing your archery, you'll be pleased as punch here. After a couple of days away from my computer and cell phone (coverage is available but spotty) I felt so refreshed.

Further, I am not exaggerating when I say that I think the beds here are the most comfortable in the entire country. The attention to detail that the owner and her team have put into the 'little things' really makes a difference. The food is great too :)

What can I say? Can't wait to be back in El Tular.

[Only one note - for foreigners visiting Guatemala, you should be aware that this property is not in Guatemala City, and although it's an easy trip into the city, you wouldn't want to be based here if you needed to be in town all the time- it's a getaway from the city.]

I would give El Tular more stars if possible!

Every time I get a chance I go to this amazing place. I love that you can disconnect from everything, even though you are just a few minutes from the city. 
The staff is super nice, they´re always doing their best making your stay a time to remember. I highly recommend it to anyone who want to have an extraordinary time!

An amazing experience getaway, just a few minutes drive from the city

A great place totally eco-friendly, great for watching birds and nature, great accommodation worth a visit, have to try the night walks and tree climbing, it's close to the city and you'll take a military vehicle.

El Tular Santuario Natural

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