Joy in the Jungle

Guatemalan guests drawn to resort featuring Marine Innovations incline tram.

La Lancha Boutique Hotel is a resort nestled in the Guatemalan tropical jungle that peaks out from a considerable height to the Petén Itzá lake. An hour’s drive separates the hotel from the Belize border, and it takes 45 min to reach the Mayan ruins in Tikal and the Mayan Biosphere, which is the largest tropical reserve in Central America.

Because of its location, the lodge is appealing to people interested in adventure tourism in the forest and in water activities on Petén Itzá lake, like canoeing, kayaking or boating. The place also lends itself to an aerial walkway, zip line, horseback riding or jungle trail enjoyment. And, last but not least, it is a fine hideaway in a secluded, silent refuge.

Why was it necessary to install an inclined tram in this place? Christine Gaudenzi of The Family Coppola Hideaways, owners of La Lancha, put it this way:

“The family wished to enhance the arrival at the hotel with a romantic and magical touch. In addition, it is a more efficient and comfortable way to reach the premises than taking a long trip through the forest. … Marine Innovations’ inclined transport was ideal for this experience.”

The tram improves access to the dock for guests who wish to enjoy aquatic sports on the lake, and is convenient for the hotel personnel to bring meals and drinks to guests who want to have service by the lake.

Funiculars, hillside trams or simple inclined elevators are useful and always attractive because they can overcome geographical barriers and make people’s lives a little easier and more comfortable. This inclined tram, tucked in the middle of the rainforest in the Petén District in Guatemala, facilitates guests’ access to the shore of the Petén Itzá lake.

Description of the System

La Lancha tram is an inclined elevator. It travels 430 ft at a speed of 70 ft/min. The rail consists of 2 x 5-in. galvanized steel in 10-ft sections. They are supported by Marine Innovations’ exclusive “Pin Pile” system, which incorporates 2-in. galvanized WT40 pipe driven to specified resistance. It incorporates several safeties, including a rail brake, an overspeed governor and a slack cable system. An elevator control panel operates the AC-drive 5-hp motor, while a gear reduction drive transfers power to the traction drive system. The panel includes up, down and emergency stops at the top and bottom stations. At the top station there is a lockout key. The track changes from 20° to 38°, and a self-leveling system keeps the carriage level.

The tram has one car with a capacity of 1200 lb. It is a welded aluminum structure with a canopy that provides protection from the sun or inclement weather conditions.

The installation was very simple, according to Mike Botzet, president at Marine Innovations, who worked with local contractors. “In spite of the many angles on the hill and a rocky cliff, the job was completed efficiently and in due time,” he explained. 

Acknowledgements

Your author thanks Eric Hausten, marketing manager at Marine Innovations, and The Family Coppola Hideaway La Lancha, for the hotel and the tram photos. Installation photos are by Botzet.

Marine Innovations Inc.
This family company based in Frazee, Minnesota, has been in the market for more than 30 years, supplying reliable and groundbreaking vertical access. Said Botzet, “Whether we call them inclined lifts, funiculars or hillside trams, these devices have challenged and conquered many hills and mountains since 1987, and we have yet to meet one we cannot conquer.”