The Top Hostels in Guatemala

Hopefully, you are already planning a trip to Guatemala because it is an amazing country filled with diverse landscapes, kind people and beautiful culture. There is so much to explore in Guatemala including charming colonial cities, giant erupting volcanoes, beautiful turquoise lakes, black sand beaches, and Mayan ruins. The backpacking scene is well established in Guatemala and you will find some of the best hostels in all of Central America! Hostels are the perfect place to meet other travelers, access all the main attractions in the area and receive clean and centrally located accommodation at a really reasonable price. This guide will highlight the best hostels in all the main Guatemala destinations.

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How to choose the best hostels?

Deciding which hostel is the “best” can definitely vary based on the person, however there are some really great hostels in Guatemala that cater to all types of travelers. I am a 29 year-old female traveling with my fiancé. We have spent 7+ years backpacking around the world, and at this point in our travels we enjoy hostels that attract a friendly, social vibe. We don’t mind a bit of party, but we want a quiet, clean place to sleep and to not feel pressured into partying. I love hostels that offer something unique, and that have special amenities. The top hostels in Guatemala hit all of these points!

Santa Catalina Arch

Top Guatemala Backpacker Destinations:

Antigua
Lake Atitlán
El Paredon
Semuc Champey
Flores

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Hostal de la Fuente Rooftop

The Best Antigua Hostels

Antigua, Guatemala is a charming colonial city, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is known for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant cultural scene. Antigua, Guatemala is surrounded by volcanoes and offers a mix of history, art, and a lively atmosphere. When you step foot into the streets of Antigua you will feel like you have transported back in time! This is my favorite city in Central America and you can find some of the best hostels in Guatemala here. The top things to do in Antigua, Guatemala are climb the Acatenango Volcano, Visit the Santa Catalina Arch (and other ruins), hike up to Cerro de la Cruz, and eat your way through all the incredible restaurants. Here are the Best Antigua Hostels:

Hostal de la Fuente (9.6 Rating on Hostelworld):

We feel so lucky to have found this hostel when we visited Antigua, Guatemala. It recently opened in April 2023, and the owners have created a really comfortable space that feels just like home. Hostal de la Fuente is really well priced, especially for their private rooms. They also offer FREE breakfast & dinner which is amazing in itself, but also creates a really lovely social vibe. It is a smaller hostel, but the main common area is the perfect place to meet other travelers and have really great conversations. They also do nightly activities and can easily help you book tours with the best companies in Antigua, Guatemala. Lastly, the beds are SOOOO comfortable! Definitely stay here if you are looking for a chill, homey place to meet other travelers and explore Antigua! Book your stay at Hostel de la Fuente

Antigua Central Park

Somos Hostel (9.5 Rating on Hostelworld):

Somos hostel is another popular spot in Antigua, Guatemala and offers a relaxing, clean place to meet other backpackers. One of the main highlights of Somos Hostel is the jacuzzi – you will thank me after you climb Acatenango Volcano! Other amenities include the outdoor bar and terrace with volcano views. The hostel is located just a few blocks from the Central Park and they can easily organize all the tours here. I would say this hostel attracts a slightly younger crowd, but it is a great place to make friends. Book your stay at Somos Hostel

Maya Papaya Hostel (9.6 Rating on Hostelworld):

Another fantastic hostel in Antigua, Guatemala! The modern decor and attention to details gives this hostel a luxury feel at a great price! Located just steps from the famous Santa Catalina Arch, Maya Papaya Hostel is a great place to stay while exploring the beautiful town of Antigua. The free breakfast and comfy beds will make this hostel feel like home. All the dorm beds come with privacy curtain, power plug, and locker. This hostel is the most expensive of the 3. Book your stay at Maya Papaya Hostel

Lake Atitlán, Free Cerveza Dock

The Best Hostels in Lake Atitlán

Often referred to as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlán is surrounded by picturesque Mayan villages and stunning volcanic landscapes. The lake offers opportunities for water activities, such as boat tours and kayaking, as well as a chance to experience indigenous culture in the surrounding villages. The towns around the lake attract travelers seeking natural beauty and cultural immersion. Thankfully, it is very easy to travel around the lake on the public boats so no matter where you decide to base yourself, you will be able to take advantage of all the epic things to do in Lake Atitlán. We spent 2 weeks exploring Lake Atitlán and we definitely found one of the best hostels in Guatemala and all of Central America here!

Free Cerveza (9.1 Rating on Hostelworld)

Free Cerveza Hostel can best be described as adult summer camp, and it is a magical place to spend a few days on Lake Atitlán! The hostel is located right on the waterfront of Lake Atitlán and has incredible views of the distant volcanoes. One of the main highlights is the 2 hour free beer session each evening and the family dinner that follows. I loved reading in the hammocks and bean bags, socializing with other travelers and going for a paddle on one of the free paddle boards. The hostel also organizes daily events like yoga, hikes and drinking games. The hostel is very social, but not a party hostel because the bar closes at 10 pm. The accommodation ranges from luxury private bungalows to the dorms which consist of 4 single beds in a glamping tent.

As mentioned before, it is like adult summer camp so expect glamping tents and eco toilets (they are very clean). I would recommend staying here for a few nights to chill and relax because Santa Cruz la Laguna is a little more isolated than the other towns. I hope we make it back to Free Cerveza because it was an awesome experience. Book your stay at Free Cerveza

Dreamboat Hostel

Dreamboat Hostel (9.0 Rating on Hostelworld)

Most likely you will start or end your trip to Lake Atitlán in Panajachel, and Dreamboat is an awesome hostel to stay at! The owners have put a ton of detail into making this hostel a welcoming place to stay for all backpackers. The highlights for me were the social bar, pool and rooftop area. Each night there is a party going on in the bar, but it closes at 10 pm so it is still really easy to get a good night of sleep. The onsite restaurant makes delicious and cheap food, and you will be located steps from the main street of Panajachel.

I would say the only downside was that the dorm rooms were rather small and bathrooms were a little outdated, but everything was clean and our beds had privacy curtains and power plugs. Dreamboat Hostel is definitely the best place to stay in Panajachel. Book your stay at Dreamboat

Mandala’s Hostal (8.6 Rating on Hostelworld)

While I wouldn’t call this one of the best hostels in Guatemala, it is the best hostel to stay at in San Pedro la Laguna. I enjoyed this hostel because it was very clean, quiet and centrally located in San Pedro la Laguna. It feels more like a hotel than a hostel so it is not the most social place, but there are some really great common areas to meet other travelers or relax. We wanted to stay in San Pedro la Laguna in order to do the Indian Nose Sunrise Hike and the Mr. Mullets Boat Party.

San Pedro is the party spot on Lake Atitlán, but it is also really close to San Juan la Laguna and San Marcos. The alternative is Mr. Mullets but this hostel felt way too dirty and there was a lot of drunken debauchery. Mandala’s Hostel is a cleaner and more relaxing place if you are not looking for a full on party hostel. Book your stay at Mandala’s Hostel

The Best Hostels in El Paredon, Guatemala

The Driftwood Surfer (9.2 Rating on Hostelworld)

El Paredon is Guatemala’s beach paradise, and The Driftwood Surfer is easily one of the best hostels in Guatemala! The vibe here is unbeatable and you can’t beat the beachfront location. Some of the highlights are the nightly buffet dinners, pool bar, and turtle release project. All the food was delicious, but the nightly buffet featuring a rotating menu of international cuisines was so good and cheap! The hostel is really lively and there are different activities each night. That being said, the party quieted down by 11 pm so it was easy to get a good night of sleep. El Paredon is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a little party or wanting to surf or release turtles. The rooms have A/C, there is wifi in the common areas, and there’s even a resident Pig!

I can’t really fault The Driftwood Surfer, but I will inform other travelers that the rooms and bathrooms are a little outdated, but kept very clean. Also, if you need strong wifi, this is not the place. We really did not want to leave The Driftwood Surfer because it was such and awesome place to chill. Book your stay at Driftwood Surfer.

Cocorí Lodge El Paredon (9.2 Rating on Hostelworld)

I definitely think The Driftwood Surfer is the #1 hostel in El Paredon, but another great option is Cocorí Lodge. We met a lot of backpackers that enjoyed their stay there. It is also beachfront in El Paredon and has a great pool and yoga studio. The vibe is more like a resort, but they put a lot of effort into their parties as well. A popular activity is the booze cruise which is hosted by Cocorí Lodge. Book your stay at Cocorí Lodge

The Best Hostels in Semuc Champey

Greengo’s Hotel (8.6 Hostelworld Rating)

We stayed at Greengo’s Hotel and had a really fabulous time! This hostel is great because it is walking distance to Semuc Champey pools so you can visit at any time. The hostel is very social and fun, but also quiet at night so you can easily get some sleep. There’s a variety of room types and the colorful bungalows by the pool are fun to stay in. I spent most of the time in the massive pool or up in the restaurant/chill area. We organized the cave tour + tubing here as well as onward shuttle. It’s a great hostel and I highly recommend.

Zephyr Lodge (8.7 Hostelworld Rating)

The Zephyr Lodge is another great place to stay when you are visiting Semuc Champey. The hostel is technically located in Lanquin, but tours to Semuc Champey are easily organized. The Zephyr Lodge has incredible views over the valley and multiple pools and jacuzzis to cool down in. We definitely recommend staying at least 3 nights so you can enjoy the natural attractions and the hotel pools! The vibe here is super social and a party vibe. Most likely you will hear about The Zephyr Lodge as you make your way around Guatemala. Book your stay at Zephyr Lodge.

Indian Nose

The Best Hostel in Flores, Guatemala

Los Amigos Hostel (8.4 Rating on Hostelworld)

Los Amigos Hostel is definitely the most popular hostel in Flores, Guatemala. It is the best place to stay if you are looking to be on the island and in an environment to socialize and party. The highlights are the onsite restaurant and communal areas. The rooms are clean and also provide A/C. Flores is a great place to stay when you are visiting the Tikal Ruins. Book your stay at Los Amigos Hostel.

Hostal Macarena (9.1 Rating on Hostelworld)

Another great option in Flores, Guatemala is Hostal Macarena. This is a newer, modern hostel with clean rooms, free breakfast and chill vibes. It won’t be as lively here as Los Amigos, but this can be nice when you are waking up early for the Tikal Sunrise. Hostal Macarena is located only 2 blocks from the lake and all tours and shuttles can be booked directly from the hostal. Book your stay at Hostal Macarena