Casa Carolina was absolutely perfect for our one month holiday in Panajachel. It was the first time my husband & I have been to Guatemala. From the moment we first stepped through the front gate into the gardens, it felt like a tropical paradise. Even more beautiful than the photos reveal. Juan (caretaker) is charming & Carmelina (office manager) & Francisca (housekeeper) both SO delightful. We instantly felt AT HOME. Absolutely secure & safe in every aspect. The distance to town being a 20 minute walk was perfect for our daily outings.The house met all of our needs, there was nothing else we needed or desired. Juan got us more purified water whenever we asked him. When the propane ran out while cooking dinner, Juan made a phone call & literally 5 minutes later, a new propane tank was delivered. Even though Juan doesn't speak English & we don't speak Spanish, we communicated just fine. Carolyn's house is artsy & decorated very similar to our tastes with lovely antiques, fresh flowers, local pottery & Mayan fabrics, plus her own beautiful, colorful art framed on the walls. Super clean!!! Very comfy bed & huge selection of wonderful books - I read at least 10 of them! I like the big spacious bright bathroom too. The garden is an oasis, I kept calling it our Garden of Eden. The tropical trees, palms, bushes & incredible flowers & fruits are stunning. Butterflies & hummingbirds everywhere we looked. The stream musical. We found it so peaceful, we spent most of our time in the gardens: reading, writing, meditating, eating, drinking, & my husband learned to play a guitar that he bought in Pana. The wood-fired sauna was incredible, Juan lit it for us several nights a week, adding eucalyptus branches which were heavenly. We loved the local Mayan culture & really enjoyed the fact that we didn't feel like we stuck out as tourists. We were greeted and smiled at by everyone we passed, my face was perma grin walking to and from town. Walking back to Casa Carolina each day, I would get excited as we neared the house, knowing that an oasis waited for us just on the other side of the wall. I would definitely recommend Casa Carolina to anyone going to Pana. In emailing the owner, Carolyn, prior to our trip I even feel like she became a new friend. Gracias Carolyn for sharing your piece of paradise with us!!!
Joanne & Jim Ruhland
Oliver, British Columbia, Canada