Zephyr Lodge

Tubing the Lanquín River or caving at nearby Semuc Champey, guests return to a hill-top lodge above the town of Lanquín in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz department. Zephyr Lodge houses dorms, semi-private rooms, private rooms, and deluxe private rooms across a terraced site. Dorms sleep between five and 11, with shared hot-water bathrooms; some offer air conditioning. Sky Lofts — double beds above the dorms with a half-height privacy wall — share facilities and face the valley. Private rooms range from two to four occupants; cabin-style units include small patios with hammocks. Deluxe private rooms accommodate up to six, most with private balconies overlooking either the river or the mountains.

The restaurant bakes bread daily in a wood-fired oven, which also turns out pizza in the evenings. Breakfast includes French toast, crêpes, or traditional desayuno chapín; vegetables are disinfected twice and rinsed with purified water. Coffee is sourced from Huehuetenango. The bar stocks craft beer, cocktails, whisky, bourbon, rum, gin, and pisco. An infinity pool opens from 8 am to 8 pm; a 12-person jacuzzi operates between 4 pm and 8 pm. Licensed guides lead full-day tours to Semuc Champey — caving, rope swing, waterfall jumping, viewpoint trek, and swimming in the natural pools. River tubing departs daily, weather permitting, with dual-cup-holder tubes and bridge jumps. Laundry service is available before 10 am for same-day return.