This house was exactly as stated. Fully furnished, so we got to relaxing upon arrival. The house keeper helped arrange transport from Panajachel. We chose to use the private transport for both the arrival and departure (5 suitcases is a bit much for my family to carry). Afterwards, the public transport at the public dock was good ($10Q). We ate a few times at the Lost Iguana and restaurant next to it. They accept credit cards over $100Q. The rest of the time it was like cooking at home. We went to the Chi-Chi market on Thursday. An experience of Guatemalan culture. I had a beautiful run from Santa Cruz dock to Panajachel dock. 13 miles of vistas. Even had a few young kids clap me on as I ran ;-). The vista from the house's decks are gorgeous. The birds, butterflies, avocado trees, and multitude of flowers made my heart feel warm and peaceful. I played my ukulele out front a few times. Found a nice coffee spot all the way down the shoreline that made espresso and various coffee drinks. My #2 son enjoyed the Frappuccino. Santa Cruz is not a loud and boisterous place. Would stay again 100%!

This is a well designed and well equipped house in a beautiful garden with a beautiful view in a wonderful pueblo. From the bed in the master bedroom, you look out on the volcanoes and the lake. You couldn't ask for a better way to wake up in the morning.

My wife and I stayed at Rico's for our honeymoon, we couldn't have had a better experience. First of all, we know very little Spanish and neither of us had been to the area. Rico was integral to giving us helpful details and preparing us for travel arrangements before we left. He was pleasant and did more than enough to make sure we arrived and enjoyed our stay. The same can be said of Carlos his housekeeper and gardener. He was easy to find and helped us with any request during our stay. Secondly, the property itself is stellar! It is well kept, clean, with stunning views both in the yard and across the lake. My wife particularly enjoyed the large bathroom and shower. The details given on the listing are accurate when we come back will probably contact Rico again. Also, the location is a perfect mix of seclusion and access to all the lake has to offer. We slept with the windows open and every morning awoke to the sounds of the Guatemalan highland coming alive. If you seek reflective peace and quiet or romantic privacy you'll receive both. At the same time, the public boat access is only a 10 minute walk along the lake shore. La Iguana Perdida and ATI Dive Center are conveniently right next to the boat launch. Having our language difficulties throughout the day as we toured the different cities around the lake, La Iguana was our respite to find some English camaraderie. We met travelers and heard stories from all over the world before we headed back to the Casa. Don't forget to bring light for those short walks along the lakeside at night. Another English speaking attraction nearby is Los Elementos Adventure Center. They helped us arrange a tour of San Pedro and San Juan. Only 10 minutes past the boat launch, it was a delightful walk along the lake with many snapshots along the way. In short, our days were filled with activity and culture, our afternoons were spent hashing out our adventures with new friends, and our evenings were spent relaxing with only the volcanoes as company.

I stayed here for several weeks with two other writers in February 2015. It was my first time staying at Rico's and I will surely return. The house was just a ten minute walk from the main dock at Santa Cruz and a 3 minute walk for a dip in the lake. I could either feel involved in the local community or be a complete hermit. I divided my time evenly between those two options. The house is clean (super clean!) with inspiring views of the lake. The kitchen is fully equipped for those who like to cook. If you aren't a cook, you can buy meals locally or amazingly, order take out meals from some the of best local cooks who even deliver. We were well cared for Carlos who maintains the property and helped us with all sorts of things like where to buy fresh eggs and how to stay supplied with bottled water. Truly a place to experience. Lovely!

I recently stayed here with 2 friends. We are all writers and it was an idyllic spot in which to work on our novels, and when we weren't doing that we either went hiking or to the little farmers market on Saturday mornings to buy our groceries or just sat on the lovely patio reading or looking at the beautiful gardens, lake and volcano. Carlos, the guardian, a lovely man, attended to anything we needed. The kitchen was fantastically equipped. We hope to go back again soon!!

This winter, for the fourth time, friends and I booked Casa de Rico, and it was even more wonderful than ever. We are writers who had just led a writing & yoga retreat at nearby Villa Sumaya and needed time to work on our own novels. What a special, private, beautiful place to work, rest, cook, wander, and visit with friends. We are especially fond of Carlos and his family, who care for Casa de Rico year-round. They bring an air of warmth and friendliness, as well as delicious meals prepared by Carlos's wife, Alicia. And we have become especially fond of Alicia's mother and sisters, for their weaving, their hugs and their delightful laughs. Somehow all of this comes with the casa, along with light-filled rooms, a well-equipped cook's kitchen, comfortable beds, a delicious stone-encircled shower, laundry room and best of all, gardens Eden would envy. And, did I mention, a gorgeous view of the lake and its volcanoes rising into the sun? We will surely return.

My friends and I just spent another lovely week at Rico's house. This is the second time we've stayed there, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Rico, as always, was extremely attentive and helpful, as was his caretaker, Carlos. The house is cozy and well equipped and the gardens are lush – it is a little piece of paradise. We hope to be returning soon!

The house did not disappoint. Everything was as promised. Fully operational and clean. The gardens are beautiful. Richard was most helpful in setting up transportation and in anticipating our needs. The house is very private, but you are a ten minute walk from the boat launch dock, and three excellant restaurants/bars/internet cafe and a small tienda that sells fruit and soft drinks. The people at these establishments are very helpful. Best advice was that each person bring a flashlight (for the walk back to the house at night). Alicia is a very good cook and baker. Her mango pie is the best we've ever had. Best house feature is the shower. We would have liked to have had a microwave oven and a CD boombox. Overall, we were very impressed with the rental and cannot say enough about Richard's attention to detail. Thank you Richard for everything.

My friends and I enjoyed our stay at Rico's house immensely. The master bedroom has a balcony with a spectacular view of the lake... What a sight to wake up to every morning! :) The garden is lush and well kept, and the town is peaceful and quiet... Great for a fun and relaxing getaway. The house was impeccable, and very well equipped: the kitchen has every cooking utensil one could want, and there are sheets, towels, blankets, etc. The caretaker was very helpful and friendly as well. We will certainly be coming back soon for another visit!!

My husband and I had a most restful, peaceful week at Rico's casa at the magnifico Lake Atitlán. The lake of course is awesome, the area is so quiet, since Santa Cruz is the quietest of the villages I have tried (now my third time staying in this village). The boat ride is only 15-20 minutes. The walk will take 10-15 minutes from the dock. Arriving at the casa, the surrounding gardens with flowers of every color and type greeted us. (Read: The Language of Flowers by Diffenbaugh!) There's a wonderful porch to sit outside (we had our coffee out here every morning), then the beautiful house with tile floors, wooden vaulted ceilings. The bathroom is downstairs and has a beautiful stone shower. One bedroom is downstairs, with twin beds. The master bedroom is upstairs with a beautiful view of the lake and volcanoes and small patio outside the sliding patio door. The other bedroom has a queen bed, is a beautiful room, with views of the gardens. I used the kitchen a lot and it had everything I needed, except spices, so bring your spices as I had some difficulty finding everything I wanted, but I was able to improvise quite well. You can find garlic (ajo), onions (cebollas), and tomatoes, and sometimes different squashes uphill in the pueblo, though you may need to go to several tiendas, but that is part of the fun! . For the best choice take the lancha (boat) back to Pana, shop the mercado first, then the supermarket. There is also a small mercado near the dock, at the Iguana, on Saturday a.m., where you can also buy the best coffee, sold by Hans from Jaibalito. There's a little tienda upstairs near the tuktuks that has some staples like rice, black beans, avena (oatmeal), Carlos, the gardener/caretaker, is precious and very helpful. I think he understands a little English, but since I speak Spanish I never had a problem. He was very responsive to our every need and I feel is very trustworthy. He also put me in contact with a tailor (sastre) who hemmed my pants for really cheap, so I took the other pair! The walk up to the pueblo is very steep but good exerercise. CECAP up there has a great little café, a good place to try typical Guatemalan food. Beautiful views. We also hiked over to Jaibalito, a hike I highly recommend. Somewhat difficult, but not nearly as strenuous as I was told. Weather was perfect. There is a lot more to do here, birding, climbing, kayaking, but relaxing & reading won out! Can't wait to go back