We arrived at Principito’s Universe near San Juan La Laguna by lancha, stepping off the boat at the property’s private dock with Lake Atitlán stretching out behind us. From there, the path disappeared beneath a tunnel of trees dotted with red roses. We followed it through the gardens toward our villa, and somewhere between the roses, the winding paths and all that green, I remember thinking that this was a pretty perfect way to arrive somewhere inspired by The Little Prince.
I stayed here with my two young adult kids, and we absolutely loved it. We were in Las Baobas, a two-bedroom villa with a full kitchen, living room, private jacuzzi and a large terrace overlooking the lake. There was enough space for all three of us to spread out, but also so many places to come together, whether we were playing board games at night, roasting marshmallows around our fire pit or heading down to the lake with the kayaks.
What makes Principito’s Universe stand out for me is that it combines so many things I look for when choosing a family vacation rental at Lake Atitlán. You have the space and independence of your own house, easy access by both road and boat, private parking, direct lake access, a dock and beach, beautiful gardens and genuinely wonderful service. You’re also close enough to San Juan La Laguna to dip in and out of town whenever you want, while still coming home to somewhere peaceful.
Why our family loved Principito’s Universe
✓ Two-bedroom Las Baobas villa ✓ Full kitchen and living room ✓ Private jacuzzi ✓ Private lake-view terrace and fire pit ✓ Private dock and beach ✓ Kayaks for exploring the lake ✓ Easy road access and private parking ✓ Close to San Juan but wonderfully peaceful
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving at Principito’s Universe Feels a Little Magical
There are accommodations where check-in is simply practical, and then there are places where the arrival becomes part of the memory. For us, Principito’s Universe was the second kind.
Our lancha pulled directly up to the private dock and from there we walked toward the villas through what felt like a little green tunnel. The branches curved overhead, red roses appeared between the leaves and the path pulled us deeper into the property. Once you emerge from that first shaded passage, the gardens open around you with trees, flowers, hammocks and paths leading toward the different houses.
It immediately felt removed from the energy of San Juan, even though town is incredibly close. That balance became one of the things I appreciated most during our stay. We could spend part of the day exploring, eating and doing activities in San Juan and then return to someplace that felt calm, green and very much its own little world.
OUR VILLA
Staying in Las Baobas: Why This Villa Worked So Well for Our Family
Las Baobas gave us exactly the kind of setup I want when I’m traveling with my kids now. We’re three adults, so squeezing into one traditional hotel room for several nights is not relaxing. Here we had a primary bedroom plus a second bedroom with four separate beds, which made it especially practical for a family.
The villa also has a comfortable living room with a large TV. I have to laugh because I remember noticing the TV when we arrived and then realizing later that we never turned it on. Between San Juan, the lake, the kayaks, the jacuzzi, the terrace and everything else we were doing, none of us ever thought about watching television.
Another huge plus was having a full kitchen, not simply a hotel kitchenette. On a longer Guatemala trip, being able to make breakfast, keep drinks cold, store leftovers, make coffee whenever we wanted and have snacks available makes an enormous difference. I love eating out when we travel, but I don’t want every single meal to require getting everyone ready and leaving the property.
The living room was also big enough to feel like somewhere we could genuinely spend time rather than just a pass-through space between the bedrooms. That matters more than it sounds. At the end of a full day, we could spread out, sit down, play a game or simply have somewhere comfortable to be together.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR FAMILIES
For me, one of the biggest differences between a good family hotel and a good family vacation rental is whether everyone has enough room to relax. Las Baobas gave us separate sleeping space, a living room, a full kitchen and multiple outdoor areas, so we never felt like we were on top of each other.
OUTDOOR SPACE
A Private Jacuzzi, Lake-View Terrace and Fire Pit Made Las Baobas Feel Like Home
The outdoor space was probably what pushed Las Baobas from being a very comfortable vacation rental to somewhere we really enjoyed spending time.
Just outside the villa we had our own jacuzzi surrounded by greenery. Then a set of steps beside the house led to a large terrace with lake views, lounge chairs, a hammock and our own fire pit. We used that space constantly.
During the day it was somewhere to slow down between activities. One of my kids could disappear into the hammock while someone else relaxed inside, and we could all come back together later. At night, we lit the fire and roasted marshmallows. Those evenings ended up being some of my favorite parts of the stay because there was nothing complicated about them. We were just outside together, surrounded by trees, with Lake Atitlán beyond us.
THE LITTLE PRINCE
The Little Prince Theme Is Everywhere, but It Never Feels Gimmicky
I was curious about the theme before we arrived because a property inspired by The Little Prince could very easily become too much. Instead, the references are scattered throughout the property in a way that makes discovering them part of the fun.
Our villa was called Las Baobas. There was a copy of The Little Prince on the bookcase, artwork inspired by the story and even the unmistakable shape of the boa that swallowed the elephant incorporated into the living-room wall. Outside, signs, paintings and small details continue the story as you walk through the gardens.
One of my favorite interpretations was the temazcal. Its round little structure looks almost like its own tiny planet, which fits perfectly into the idea of the asteroid from the book. I loved that even something functional had been pulled into the property’s story.
The theme is there if you want to notice it, but it doesn’t compete with the real reason this place feels special. The gardens, trees, volcano views and lake are still the stars.
DIRECT LAKE ACCESS
The Private Dock, Beach and Kayaks Make Lake Atitlán Part of the Stay
One of my biggest recommendations when choosing where to stay at Lake Atitlán is to look beyond the bedroom photos and think about how much access you’ll really have to the lake. At Principito’s Universe, the lake isn’t simply something you see from a window.
The property has its own dock and its own little private beach, so getting into the water is easy. We could walk down whenever we wanted, swim, sit by the shore or take one of the kayaks out. Having that freedom made the property feel very different from staying somewhere with a beautiful view but no real connection to the water.
One of our favorite outings was kayaking from the property toward Playa Las Cristalinas. In my opinion, Las Cristalinas is one of the best beaches on Lake Atitlán, and being able to turn visiting it into a kayak adventure instead of another transportation day was fantastic.
And then there are the moments that don’t really qualify as activities. Sitting at the dock with something to eat, standing at the water’s edge in the morning or watching the mountains change as clouds move across the lake are part of what makes staying on Atitlán so different from simply visiting it for the day.
If you’re planning to move between villages by public boat during your trip, my complete Lake Atitlán boat guide explains how the lanchas, routes and docks work.
SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA
Close Enough to Enjoy San Juan La Laguna, Far Enough Away to Relax
Location is another big reason I think Principito’s Universe works so well as a family base. San Juan La Laguna has become one of the most visited towns on Lake Atitlán, and there is a lot I genuinely love about it, but I don’t necessarily want to sleep in the middle of its busiest streets.
From Principito’s Universe, we could head into town for a few hours and then come back to the gardens and lake. During our stay we visited textile cooperatives and the local bee cooperative, went up to Mirador Kaqasiiwaan, took a cooking class at Deleite Ancestral and had lunch at El Artesano Quesos y Vinos. My son and I also hiked Rostro Maya, one of the experiences I had really wanted to share with him.
Those outings gave us very full days, which made returning to Las Baobas especially nice. We weren’t going back to a hotel room where everyone would sit on a bed until bedtime. We could get into the jacuzzi, go down to the water, cook something simple, read in the hammock or light the fire pit.
If you’re staying here, don’t treat San Juan as a quick photo stop. My complete San Juan La Laguna guide goes much deeper into the cooperatives, cultural experiences, viewpoints and places I think are worth your time.
Planning Lake Atitlán With Your Family?
I Can Help You Choose the Right Lake Atitlán Base
Where you stay changes your entire Lake Atitlán experience. I help travelers choose accommodations, villages and activities based on how their family actually travels, then put the pieces together into a Guatemala itinerary that makes sense.
GETTING THERE
Easy Access by Boat or Car Is a Huge Advantage for Families
One thing I wouldn’t underestimate when choosing a Lake Atitlán vacation rental is how you’re going to get there with luggage. Some beautiful lakefront properties are wonderful once you arrive but complicated if you’re carrying bags, traveling with kids or driving around Guatemala.
Principito’s Universe gives you both options. We arrived directly by lancha at the private dock, which could not have been easier. If you’re traveling by car, the property is also accessible from the road and has private parking, so you don’t have to leave your vehicle somewhere else and transfer everything into a boat simply to reach your accommodation.
For families, multigenerational groups or anyone doing a longer road trip around Guatemala, that flexibility is a real advantage.
THE GARDENS
There Is Plenty to Do Without Leaving the Property
Principito’s Universe is one of those places where I would deliberately leave some empty space in the itinerary. The gardens are beautiful, there are hammocks tucked between the trees and the lake is always a few minutes away. Younger kids also have a play area, while older kids and teens have the water, kayaks and plenty of outdoor space.
My kids are older now, so for us the appeal was less about a playground and more about having different spaces to disappear into for a while. Someone could relax in a hammock, someone else could read inside and later we could all meet back at the terrace or head down to the lake.
That freedom is one of the reasons I increasingly like vacation rentals for family trips. Family travel doesn’t mean everyone has to be doing the same thing every minute of the day.
THE SERVICE
The Privacy of a Vacation Rental With the Attention of a Hotel
This was another important part of our experience. Principito’s Universe gives you your own house and a lot of independence, but we never felt like we had rented an Airbnb and were simply left to figure everything out ourselves.
The service and attention throughout our stay were fantastic. From arriving at the dock to getting settled and figuring out anything we needed during our stay, there was someone there to help. That kind of support makes a big difference at Lake Atitlán, where transportation and logistics can feel unfamiliar if it’s your first visit.
For me, that is one of Principito’s Universe’s strongest combinations: you get the space and privacy families often want from a vacation rental without giving up the reassurance of having a team nearby.
MY RECOMMENDATION
Why Principito’s Universe Is One of My Favorite Family Vacation Rentals Near San Juan La Laguna
After staying here with my own family, I think Principito’s Universe is one of the strongest choices around San Juan La Laguna if you want more than a hotel room.
I would especially recommend it for families who want separate bedrooms and a real kitchen, families traveling with teens or young adults who need some personal space, multigenerational groups and anyone who wants to enjoy San Juan without sleeping right in the middle of town. The private dock and beach also make it particularly appealing if actually spending time on Lake Atitlán is important to you rather than simply looking at it.
I also think it works beautifully on a longer Guatemala road trip because of the private parking and road access. You don’t have to choose between the lakefront experience and the convenience of having your car nearby.
Mostly, though, I recommend it because we loved being there. I loved waking up surrounded by trees. I loved being able to walk straight down to the water. I loved that my kids had room to do their own thing. I loved coming home from San Juan and knowing we didn’t need another plan for the evening. We could get in the jacuzzi, pull out a board game or light the fire and roast marshmallows. Those are the kinds of places I remember most after a trip.
📌 BOOKING PRINCIPITO’S UNIVERSE
The villas at Principito’s Universe have different layouts, bedroom configurations and outdoor spaces, so look carefully at the individual house before booking. We stayed in Las Baobas, which I would absolutely recommend for a family that needs two bedrooms and wants plenty of indoor and outdoor space. See current villas, availability and rates at Principito’s Universe →
COMPARING LAKE ATITLÁN STAYS
How Principito’s Universe Compares With Other Lake Atitlán Stays I’ve Tried
I don’t think there is one “best hotel” on Lake Atitlán because different parts of the lake give you completely different experiences. Principito’s Universe is the option I would look at when San Juan is a priority and you want the privacy and space of a vacation rental without giving up lake access or on-site support.
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Orilla Casas en Ati Another excellent private-house option, but near Santiago Atitlán. Orilla is especially good if you’re looking for a beautifully designed lakefront vacation rental and Santiago is a better base for your itinerary. Read my Orilla Casas en Ati review → |
Hotel Tiosh Abaj For families who prefer a more traditional hotel in Santiago, Tiosh Abaj has large gardens, a restaurant, pool and temazcal rather than the private-house setup you get here. Read my Hotel Tiosh Abaj review → |
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Hotel Tolimán Hotel Tolimán in San Lucas is one of my picks when you want gardens, a restaurant, pool and a stronger connection to the surrounding community. Read my Hotel Tolimán review → |
Guatemala Dreams Also near San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala Dreams offers a very different lakefront experience with gardens, direct lake access and wellness-focused amenities. Read my Guatemala Dreams review → |
KEEP PLANNING
More Lake Atitlán Guides to Help Plan Your Trip
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San Juan La Laguna Guide My complete guide to the weaving cooperatives, natural dyes, art, honey, viewpoints and cultural experiences worth making time for in San Juan. Plan your San Juan La Laguna visit → |
Complete Lake Atitlán Travel Guide If you’re still deciding which villages belong in your itinerary, start here. Read my complete Lake Atitlán guide → |
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Lake Atitlán Boat Guide Public lanchas are much easier once you understand the routes, docks and schedules. Learn how to get around Lake Atitlán by boat → |
Best Hotels and Vacation Rentals at Lake Atitlán Compare the Lake Atitlán hotels and vacation rentals I’ve stayed at and recommended around the lake. Compare where to stay at Lake Atitlán → |
Need Help Planning Guatemala?
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I help travelers decide where to stay, how long to spend in each place, which experiences are genuinely worth their time and how to put everything together without turning a vacation into a race from one attraction to the next.
Principito’s Universe gave us something I value more and more when we travel together: room to have adventures and room to slow down. Some of my favorite memories from our stay are not the big activities at all. They’re walking through the roses after getting off the boat, kayaking across the lake, watching one of my kids disappear into the hammock and sitting around the fire at night roasting marshmallows. That’s what made it feel like more than somewhere we stayed.
Through her writing, Paula helps travelers discover Guatemala beyond the typical tourist route with practical advice, local recommendations, and authentic experiences that connect visitors with the country’s people, culture, and traditions.
Planning a trip to Guatemala? Paula offers personalized Guatemala itinerary planning and trip consultation services tailored to your interests, travel style, and budget. Contact her at [email protected] to learn more.
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