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Lush. Vibrant. Alive

The basin around Lago Atitlan teams with life. There are almost 800 known pecies of plants and trees in the sub-tropical dry forests surrounding the lake, including oak, cedar, pine, avocado, jicote, kapok, wild fig, acacia, alder, and more. Ferns, orchids, and cacti add exotic flare to the local flora, and reedy water plants support birds and filter the water. The lush grounds at Isla Verde reflect the richness of the local ecology.

Ecology

Keeping a small footprint

We employ ecological building practices throughout the Isla Verde grounds. Set on a natural hillside, our wooden cabins allow rain water to follow its natural path, and the lush vegetation throughout keeps the soil in place. We recycle everything that we can, and even construct benches and walls using trash-filled bags and adobe.

Native plants, trees, and fruits

Local avocados fall from the trees at Isla Verde, and by just walking through our grounds you will get a large sample of the many species of plants and trees found in this lush part of Guatemala. We want Isla Verde to be a local plant preserve. We use many of the herbs and fruits that grow on our grounds in our slow food restaurant.

Majestic, magical, natural

No trip to Guatemala – or Central America – is complete without a visit to Lago Atitlan. Isla Verde was conceived and inspired by the majestic natural beauty that surrounds us, and our guests experience nature through our ‘eco-chic’ style. We welcome your input and ideas on sustainable development, as Isla Verde is evolving with our surroundings.