Antigua, Guatemala is one of the most beautiful cities in all of the Americas. It’s eclectic mix of pristine colonial architecture and trendy neighborhoods make it a great place to explore. When you’re not chilling in the city either, there are plenty of nature to explore around the city as well.
But as more people travel to Antigua, it’s getting more and more expensive everyday. By Guatemalan standards, this town ain’t cheap so you’ll have to look a bit harder for the right deals.
Which is exactly why we wrote this epic guide to the best hostels in Antigua.
Organized by your needs, we’ve taken the best hostels in Antigua and put them together in one list. We wanted to provide up to date information about this amazing city, so you can find an awesome hostel and easily book it!
Antigua’s got you on the cafes and epic volcanoes. We’ve got you the hostel reviews. Let’s do it.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Antigua, Guatemala
- Best Hostel for Couples in Antigua – Selina Antigua
- Best Party Hostel in Antigua – Tropicana Hostel
- Overall Best Hostel in Antigua – Matiox
- Best Hostel in Antigua for Solo Travellers – El Hostal
- Best Cheap Hostel in Antigua – Hostel Capitan Tom
The 15 Best Hostels in Antigua, Guatemala
If you’re backpacking in Guatemala, chances are pretty high that you’ll end up in Antigua sooner or later. It’s a beautiful city with a lot of unique hotspots. Whether you’re looking for stunning nature, a chill atmosphere are a bit of adventure, you’ve found the right spot!
Before you start your travels, do some research so you know where to stay in Antigua, Guatemala. The city offers loads of backpacker accommodations in different neighbourhoods, you just need to find out which one’s the right for you.
Selina Antigua – Best Hostel for Couples in Antigua
The simply dreamy Selina Antigua is the best hostel for couples in Antigua. Their private rooms are stylish, cosy and ever so romantic. The Selina Antigua team have a great eye for detail, making this probably the coolest hostel in Antigua. If you and bae work on the road be sure to check in to Selina Antigua as they have their own co-working space with decent WiFi. Being one of the larger youth hostels in Antigua means that there is always a buzziness to Selina. You and your travelling bae can hang out with the crew in the bar, or on the rooftop terrace, or retreat to your gorgeous room.
Tropicana Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Antigua
Party people where you at?! You need to get yourself to Tropicana, easily the best party hostel in Antigua. The swimming pool is the focal point of Tropicana and chances are the spot where you will spend 99% of your time from the moment you check in to the moment you check out! In true Guatemalan style, Tropicana has a super chilled out vibe and just the right amount of passion for a party. Feircly competitive beer pong competitions are not unheard of at Tropicana so you better bring your game face! They have their own Acatenango Volcano trek, definitely get on it; if you’re not too hungover that is!
Matiox – Overall Best Hostel in Antigua
The overall best hostel in Antigua is Matiox. Getting rave reviews time after time there is no doubt that Matiox is the best hostel in Antigua in 2024. Their hostel bar is one of the best you will find in all of Guatemala and has super affordable drinks night and day. Matiox is in a great central location in Antigua, within walking distance of the city’s architectural gems. Matiox has something for everyone, it’s true. You can lock yourself away in a private room or put yourself out there and get mingling. The garden at Matiox is the best place to hang out and there are enough hammocks and loungers to go around.
El Hostal – Best Hostel in Antigua for Solo Travellers
The best hostel in Antigua for solo travellers is El Hostal. This place is always busy! Attracting an adventurous yet chilled out crowd, El Hostal is the perfect youth hostel in Antigua for solo travellers. The sun trapped courtyard, complete with water fountains, is not only crazy cute but the ideal place to find your fellow travellers. El Hostal is 100% locally owned and managed so be sure to chat with the wonderful staff to get their insider tips on where to visit and when. For solo travellers keen to have a chilled out time in Antigua and perhaps make a friend or two, El Hostal is spot on.
Hostel Capitan Tom – Best Cheap Hostel in Antigua
Cheap and cheerful, the best cheap hostel in Antigua is Hostel Captain Tom. You would be inclined to think that cheap hostels lack on cleanliness and facilities, not Captain Tom! The dorms themselves are admittedly nothing to write home about design-wise but are spacious and comfortable. There is a guest kitchen which you are free to use, just leave it tidy! The washing machine is another great way Captain Tom’s helps backpackers to keep on top of costs. FYI the rooftop terrace offers an incredible view of Fuego volcano that money really cannot buy!
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View on Osprey View on REICucuruchos Boutique Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Antigua
Cucuruchos Boutique Hostel is a new arrival on the hostel scene in Antigua and is totally smashing it. Modern, bright, chic and stylish Cucuruchos Boutique Hostel is on to a winner. Offering free WiFi, a calming environment from which to work and plenty of spaces to adopt as your office Cucuruchos Boutique Hostel is the digital nomad’s dream! Set right in the heart of Antigua, just 500m from Santa Catalina Arch, staying at Cucuruchos Boutique Hostel means that once the working day is done you can head out and explore with ease. Home comforts like a guest kitchen and laundry facilities are a total bonus.
Maya Papaya
Maya Papaya is the best hostel in Antigua for travellers looking for an outstanding hostel vibe and epic value for money. Maya Papaya offers a free breakfast for all its guests and is the perfect way to start the day. Once you have had your fill you’re free to head out an explore. Be sure to swing by the Maya Papaya tours and travel desk to see if you can snap up any sweet deals on tickets and tours. In the evening time, the Maya Papaya bar is the place to be! Their happy hour is next level and there is a bowl of free popcorn for all.
Somos
Somos is an ideal Antigua backpackers hostel for digital nomads. Spacious and bright, Somos provides a great space to work in and all the home comforts digital nomads often crave. You are free to work wherever you like as the WiFi reaches all corners of the hostel! If you don’t fancy exploring and need a day to chill you can lounge around in the common room and have a Netflix binge. Yes, Netflix! Somos is a real home from home for travellers of all kinds but digital nomads will totally appreciate the little touches!
Three Monkeys Hostel
Three Monkeys is a top hostel in Antigua that is ideal for solo travellers keen to meet and mingle. There is always something going on at Three Monkeys Hostel, there is never a dull moment. With just the right balance of party vibes and chilled out feels at Three Monkeys a good nights sleep is guaranteed. Set up by an Aussie and two Guatemalans Three Monkeys has been created with the sociable backpacker in mind. Suffice to say, you won’t feel like a solo traveller when you come to check out! New buddies ahoy! The dorms are clean, cosy and comfortable. Nothing but love for this place!
Villa Esthela
Villa Esthela is the best budget hostel in Antigua for sure. Offering super cheap dorms throughout the year Villa Esthela is a little gem. The rooftop terrace at Villa Esthela offers spectacular views of Antigua’s cityscape and the broody mountains that provide a picture-perfect backdrop to this amazing city. The lack of bunk beds in the dorms helps to make Villa Esthela that little bit homier. If you are near broke in Antigua, Villa Esthela may just be your saving grace.
Bigfoot Hostel
Bigfoot Hostel is a highly recommended hostel in Antigua ideal for couples who want a private room but don’t wanna splurge. Bigfoot has super spacious, modern, private rooms that are really quite affordable. Everything about Bigfoot Hostel is just cute and homely; from the wooden floors, ceilings and furniture, to the sun trapped courtyard and the incredibly helpful staff. You and bae will find the Bigfoot-fam hanging out in the said courtyard throughout the day, you should consider taking a day just to chill at Bigfoot. We all need a hostel day sometimes!
Hostel El Vagamundo
A little under the radar nowadays, Hostel El Vagamundo is a top hostel in Antigua for a party. Their fully stocked hostel bar has some epic drinks deals every night and can get pretty pumping when it wants to. The free breakfast is a real treat and an ideal way to soak up all that budget booze the morning after! The food at Hostel El Vagamundo’s cafe is pretty good TBF. You won’t go hungry here, that’s for sure. If you’re moving on and need a hand making plans swing by the CA-travelers desk, the in-house agency. They’ll hook you up.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Antigua
Still haven’t found the perfect hostel for you yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got more coming your way! Also, make sure to check out the best things to do in Guatemala, so you won’t miss out of anything in this amazing country.
Barbara’s Boutique Hostel
Antigua is amidst a hostel revolution! There is a small handful of boutique hostels that have arrived on the scene and they are simply wonderful. A prime example of this is Barbara’s Boutique. Set in an old colonial house there is a homeliness to Barbara’s Boutique that is seldom found in a budget hostel in Antigua. The free breakfast just helps to give even greater value for money, as does the free WiFi and the discounts offered at their tours and travel desk. When you check in, make a beeline for the rooftop terrace to take in the incredible views of the Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes!
The Purpose Hostel
Bright and airy, and made using mostly upcycled shipping pallets The Purpose is one of the best hostels in Antigua in 2024. The Purpose is, well, fit for purpose! Located right at the heart of Antigua they’re just 2-blocks from Tanque la Union and 5-blocks from central park. Perfect! The free coffee in the morning only serves to sweeten the deal and get you caffeinated and keen to explore. Relatively new to the scene we can expect to see The Purpose Hostel gain in popularity throughout the year! FYI, the beds are uber comfy!
Hostal Antigua
Homely and affordable, Hostal Antigua is a top hostel in Antigua. They offer free WiFi throughout the building but if you need the super-fast stuff you can upgrade for $0.90/hr, definitely worth it if you are a digital nomad who needs that extra boost. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anything to complain about at Hostal Antigua. The staff are really lovely and will go out of their way to ensure that you have a great stay. They are happy to translate for you and will give you a Spanish lesson or two if you wish! Hostal Antigua is a solid all-rounder with something for every style of traveller.
What to Pack for your Antigua Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Why you should travel to Antigua
Antigua is nothing short of a paradise, and we know that with the help of this epic guide that you’ll be able to save money and easily book a sweet hostel!
So which one are you going to book? The best hostel in Antigua for solo travelers? Or maybe the best party hostel in Antigua?
If you still can’t pick, we recommend going with our top hostel in Antigua for 2024 – Matiox. (It’s awesome)
Travel Safety Tips for Antigua
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in Antigua, Guatemala and Central America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Antigua, Guatemala.
Planning an epic trip all across the rest of Central America?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Central America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Antigua has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Guatemala for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Guatemala covered.
- Check out the best places to stay in Antigua before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Central America backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
