Looking for the best hostels in Antigua, Guatemala? This is the guide for you!
I visited Antigua earlier in 2024 and stayed in a few different hostels. I detail my own personal experiences, as well as share the experiences of other travel bloggers with firsthand experience staying in various hostels in Antigua.
Together, we created a 2024 guide of the best hostels to stay in Antigua! These reviews are written entirely based on personal experience.
Antigua is one of the most beautiful cities in Guatemala and is the second largest city in the country. It was also the nation’s first capital!
There is so much to do and see in the beautiful, colonial city of Antigua.
Now, let’s do it on a budget! Our round-up guide of the best hostels in Antigua begins here!
Best Hostels in Antigua
1. Maison Bougainvillea
Best for: Spacious Terrace
I originally wanted to stay in Maison Bougainvillea after viewing the beautiful, terrace photos and the very low cost. I paid $17 USD per night for a private bedroom, shared bathroom, and huge daily breakfast.
It is not a party hostel, and has a laidback vibe. The local staff are very friendly and accommodating! A highlight of the stay was getting to know them.
They offer two different delicious breakfast options: typical or pancakes. The typical Guatemalan breakfast comes with beans, plantains, and tortillas. The pancake breakfast comes with pancakes and fruit.
The hostel organizes tours for you. They were able to accommodate space on a Pacaya Volcano Hiking tour for me hours before the tour began! Talk about service.
The hostel is small, quaint, and located away from the loud, tourist bustle from the main part of town.
The more quaint ambiance is ideal for travelers looking to enjoy the best of Antigua without a party atmosphere, and for those who don’t mind walking or Ubering to the main attractions of town.
Pros
- Beautiful terrace
- Washing machine on-site
- Delicious breakfast
Cons
- Breakfast begins at 8:00am. This may be too late for you if you have an early tour or bus
- The location is 20 minutes from the main part of Downtown Antigua. If traveling at night, it will be safest to take an Uber instead of walking- an added cost
- The hostel doors slam loud when you are closing them
- No air conditioning or fan
Book at Booking.com2. The Purpose Hostel
Best for: Rooftop
The Purpose Hostel is a top-rated budget accommodation option in Antigua, with fantastic service and abundant amenities.
With hot water, a work center for digital nomads, and a beautiful rooftop area with yoga mats available for free use, this is a fantastic place to stay.
Additionally, the Purpose offers filtered water and cups for their guests and sustainable initiatives to help the local community, making it an eco-friendly place to stay.
They have dorm rooms starting at $14 a night, and privates available for as low as $45 a night.
Found about a minute walk from the central park, it’s located not too far away from popular Antigua attractions like the Santa Catalina Arch, but just enough that you can sleep peacefully at night in a quiet neighborhood.
Luckily, Antigua is very walkable and it doesn’t take long to get to some of the main attractions of the city. You can find Como Como and Tacorazon, two fantastic local eateries nearby.
Tip: Booking ahead is not necessary outside of high season (December to March), and you will most likely be able to get a room if booking at least 5 days out at this time.
Pros:
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Offers popular tours to be booked with pickup from the hostel
- Snacks and drinks available for purchase at reception
Cons:
- Slightly further from the town center than some other hostels
- No free breakfast
- Minimal kitchen amenities
Book at HostelworldContributed by Laynie of WanderLayn
3. Sin La Ventura
Best for: Location
Hotel Sin La Ventura was the first hostel I stayed in when I visited Antigua earlier in 2024.
Its central location is the thing that stands out most about it, and the main reason I recommend it.
It is located just outside of Antigua Central Park, the main square in town.
This makes it super convenient to walk to most of the places you are planning to explore in town.
The main downside is the cost. A private bedroom with an attached private bathroom was $35 USD not including breakfast. I found other hostels for less than this cost per night that did include breakfast.
Pros
- Location next to Central Park
- Private bathroom options
- Fan
Cons
- Breakfast not included
- A bit expensive
- No air conditioning
4. Barbara’s Boutique Hostel
Best for: Boutique experience
Barbara’s Boutique Hostel is a stylish high-end hostel close to the central square of Antigua. It has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and tastefully decorated interior.
There are lots of communal areas, including a courtyard and a small rooftop terrace with a view of Agua Volcano.
The hostel also has an impeccably clean and well-equipped shared kitchen.
Barbara’s Boutique Hostel has both private rooms and dorms. The private rooms come with their own bathroom whereas the dorms have shared bathrooms.
I stayed in one of their private rooms as I was traveling with my boyfriend and we were looking for a little more comfort.
It’s the perfect place to base yourself in Antigua because it’s just a 5-minute walk from the bustling central square and a 10-minute walk from the famous Santa Catalina Arch.
The hostel is also very close to many of Antigua’s tour operators’ offices where you can book your Acatenango Volcano hike, Mayan cooking classes, coffee farm tours, and more.
The price for a bed in a dorm room is 20-30 USD whereas the price for a private room is 140-180 USD.
Pros:
- Central location
- Stylish decor
- Free breakfast
Cons:
- No social activities
- Towels not included in dorm rooms
- Higher price than other hostels
Contributed by Marjut of the Smoothe Escape
5. Hotel Casa Rustica
Best for: Private rooms
Hotel Casa Rustica is located in the heart of downtown Antigua and offers a wide range of rooms, including single, double, triple, or quadruple rooms, both with a private bath or a shared bathroom.
One of the main draws of the hotel is its location, conveniently located just a three-minute walk from Parque Central and just a short walk to everything you’d need in Antigua.
There’s also a spectacular rooftop terrace with views of the Agua Volcano overlooking the city and a solid self-catering kitchen to make your own meals.
In the lobby, you’ll find a helpful attendant who’s happy to help you book activities, like completing the Acatenango hike or booking a transfer to Lake Atitlan. Bonus- two sweet dogs live here!
Given that all of the bedrooms are private, the price point is a bit higher than what you might see in a dorm hostel—for example, a double room with a shared bathroom can cost as little as $40 a night.
For just a few dollars more, you can get a private bedroom and bathroom, so if you have any flexibility in the budget, we’d suggest opting for that option.
Pros:
- Central location
- Awesome rooftop terrace
- Wide variety of options for groups of travelers
Cons:
- More expensive
- Rooms are small and don’t have air conditioning.
- The hotel’s dogs are extremely interested in you when you use the shared kitchen.
Contributed by Jessica of Uprooted Traveler
6. Selina
Best for: Social
What makes Selina truly remarkable is its unbeatable combination of location, affordability, and the unique blend of amenities it offers.
Within a very short distance from the iconic Arco de Santa Catalina, Selina’s location is central to Antigua’s vibrant life, restaurants, markets, and historical sites!
Selina offers a variety of room options to suit every traveler’s need, ranging from communal dormitories to private rooms, with both shared and private bathrooms available.
I personally opted for a female shared room with an ensuite bathroom, seeking a blend of community vibe and personal space.
The decor was uniquely modern, with local artisan touches that added a quaint charm.
While some activities might require prior reservation, the Selina-friendly hostel’s staff is incredibly helpful in securing spots on popular tours and providing all necessary information, including links for online booking.
Price-wise, Selina is competitively placed, with dorm beds starting at around USD 15 per night and private rooms around USD 50, making it an excellent value proposition given its amenities, including free breakfast and high-speed Wi-Fi.
It’s recommended to reserve your stay at Selina at least two to three weeks prior.
Pros:
- Location location allows easy access to Antigua’s main attractions.
- Different room choices welcome all preferences and budgets.
- Very friendly and helpful staff.
Cons:
- It can be noisy, given its central location.
- Communal areas can get crowded.
- Limited parking space for those traveling with vehicles.
Contributed by Giorgy of Sabiduri
7. Casa Familiar
Best for: Price
Casa Familiar is one of the best hotels to stay in when you visit Antigua, Guatemala.
It’s very affordable with prices ranging from $12 for a dorm bed to $26 for a private double room.
It is located just outside the city center, a few seconds away from Parque de Belen.
There are shared bathrooms in this property, although they are very clean and well-maintained.
It’s often worth booking a month in advance for the dorm rooms, although the private rooms can be booked at short notice.
Ana, the owner, speaks great English and can help you book activities. I was able to book my Acatenango hike with her the day before the activity. You can message her on WhatsApp to book.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Ana is very helpful and will help you book activities and transport
- You can leave your belongings here if you do overnight tours
Cons:
- Lots of noise from the main road
- Rooms are a tad small
- Located (just) outside the city center
Contributed by Alex of Adventure to Every Country
8. Somos Hostel
Best for: Beds with curtains
Located in the heart of Antigua, Somos Hostel offers everything you need as a backpacker. It’s super close to all the highlights in Antigua, so you can easily explore the city on foot.
When you enter Somos Hostel through the large gate, you’re directly in the little green courtyard which is a cozy place to hang out.
There are lots of hammocks, an outdoor bar, and even a hot tub.
The hostel has 6-bed dorms, 4-bed dorms, and even some private double rooms (a bed in one of the dorm rooms starts at $16 and a private room $38).
They all share bathrooms which are always kept neat and tidy.
My stay at Somos Hostel was the very beginning of my Central America backpacking itinerary, and it was the perfect start.
I loved to lay in one of the hammocks with a book in hand after exploring Antigua. Try to book at least a few days in advance, as this hostel is extremely well-rated and often fully booked.
Pros:
- Great location, so everything in Antigua is in walking distance
- Indoor garden/courtyard as a green common area
- Beds with curtain, reading light, power socket and a locker
Cons:
- Not much of a social atmosphere when I was there, bus that can vary
- Often no availability, so you need to book one week in advance
- Not that much local staff but mostly internationals
Contributed by Jill of Jill on Journey
Conclusion
This guide to Antigua hostels offers valuable insight into the world of budget-friendly accommodations for budget travelers exploring Guatemala in 2024.
The common denominators that make these hostels appealing are their prime locations, allowing travelers easy access to city highlights on foot.
Additionally, the presence of cozy, communal areas such as indoor gardens or courtyards promotes a sense of community and relaxation, enhancing the overall travel experience.
On the flip side, a recurring challenge across hostels includes the variability of the social atmosphere, which can be hit or miss depending on the time of your stay.
The blend of affordability, convenience, and the opportunity for genuine connections with fellow travelers positions hostels as an attractive lodging option in Antigua.
