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From the infamous party hostel, Jungle Party Hostal, to the eco-friendly, Home Earth Lodge, backpackers have a huge range of hostels to choose from in the colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala. Hostal Antigua is either of those hostels. During my travels through Guatemala during winter 2016, I stayed at two different hostels. I loved my stay at El Hostal and would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a laid-back and clean hostel.
When I passed through Antigua for a second time on my way to Xela for my three-day trek from Xela to Lake Atitlan, I spent a few days at Hostal Antigua.
Hostel Review: Hostal Antigua
The Location
Hostal Antigua is nestled on a back street just two blocks from the central plaza making it a great location for those looking to be near the main attractions. Antigua is an easy town to walk around, so you don’t have to walk far to find an ATM, cafe, or shop. I did find the location to be a bit noisy at times.
The Hostel Facilities
The hostel offers seven rooms with four being private and three being dorm rooms for a total occupancy of 29 people. It’s a perfect size. There is wifi throughout the hostel, and it works quite well. I was able to stream Netflix in both the common area and my room. The kitchen is tiny, but it’s functional. Purified water is available and free for all guests, so you’ll save some money there!
My favorite location in the hostel was the rooftop terrace with great views of the city and surrounding volcanos. I spent most of my time up here working. Laundry services are available too, and after a week of diving, I needed to get laundry done! Unfortunately, there were not many outlets to charge electronics.
The Rooms
All the rooms have a private ensuite bathroom. The dorm rooms have separate male and female toilets and showers. The water is hot, and the bathroom is cleaned daily. I stayed in the large 12-bed dormitory, but there are two four-bed dorms if you want something a bit more private. All the furniture is hand-made Guatemalan furniture, so you don’t have to worry about a sketchy bunk bed that might break in the middle of the night if you roll over too hard.
My Experience
I had a very positive stay at Hostal Antigua. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They helped me book a shuttle to Xela and answered all my annoying questions. I found the other guests to be older backpackers. One lady in my dorm room was in her 70s. Rock on sister!
Personally, I liked El Hostal better as it provided a free breakfast and had a bit more space to get work done. If you don’t have many options, then Hostal Antigua is an excellent choice as it is friendly, clean, and has great wifi.
Hostel Quick Facts
- Location: 5a Avenida Sur #22, Antigua, Guatemala
- Cost: Q74 (~$10 USD) for a dorm bed up to Q256 (~$35 USD) for a private room
- Nearby Attractions: Everything in Antigua is walkable from the historic churches to the town center to the local hill with stunning views of Antigua
- Languages Spoken: Spanish, English
- Payment: Cash (Quetzales & USD), Credit Cards (with 6% surcharge)
- Pros: Great location, fast WiFi, clean, great rooftop terrace
- Cons: If you’re looking to party, this isn’t your place