Lake Atitlán or Lago de Atitlán is one of the best places I have ever travelled to. This volcanic lake in Southwestern Guatemala is a backpacker’s paradise filled with some of the best hostels in the Central American region.
The hostels are stacked with travellers from all over the globe who come seeking stunning natural landscapes in which to attend Spanish schools, dive, do yoga, hike, explore traditional Mayan villages and party at over 1,500m above sea level.
Want to party on a boat in the middle of a volcanic lake at Midday?
I’ve got a hostel for you.
Want to zen out and chill in a quiet Mayan village turned yoga hub?
Yup, those kinda hostels are here too!
There’s a wide array of hostel types scattered all around the Lake’s perimeter which cater to each and every type of traveller. Whatever your backpacking vibe is, I’ve got you covered.
So without further ado, here are the best hostels in Lake Atitlan.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Lake Atitlan
- Best Overall Hostel in Lake Atitlan – Free Cerveza Hostel
- Best Hostel in Lake Atitlan for Solo Travelers – Dreamboat Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Lake Atitlan – La Iguana Perdida
- Best Party Hostel in Lake Atitlan – Mr Mullet’s Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Lake Atitlan – Selina Atitlan
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
The 5 Best Hostels in Lake Atitlan
Ok gang, here’s my specially crafted list of the best hostels in Lake Atitlan. Staying in one of these places will guarantee you an EPIC time during this iconic part of your Guatemalan backpacking adventure!
1. Free Cerveza Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Lake Atitlan
- Private Room: From $66
- Address: Santa Cruz La Laguna, Lake Atitlan, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala
Free Cerveza Hostel is an extraordinarily unique and fun glamping hostel located in Santa Cruz La Laguna – a relatively small and quiet town situated lakeside on the northern side of Lago de Atilán.
The hostel has glamping tents in which you can sleep under some of the best night skies I’ve ever seen with shared and private options. If teepees aren’t your vibe, they also have private Bamboo Casitas and a lakehouse over Lake Atitlan. Pretty cool, eh?
This hostel’s popularity is undoubtedly cus of the free beers they offer for two hours with dinner! Any offer like that is almost guaranteed to have backpackers flocking to a hostel in the masses.
Free Cerveza hostel is ALWAYS fully booked! Whilst I was backpacking in Central America I heard many things about Free Cerveza hostel (including rumours of Free Cervezas) and sadly when I rocked up it had no availability. That didn’t stop me from partying my arse off there though!
If you want to stay at the Free Cerveza Hostel, I recommend booking well in advance… And I mean WELL in advance!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free SUP Board and Kayak Rental
- Free Daily Activities like Salsa and Yoga
- Family Dinners
Due to the hostel’s insane popularity and demand, the prices are creeping up and up over time. I would still say it’s worth it just for the social atmosphere, let alone all the freebies, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
At Free Cerveza hostel, the guests wake up lakeside and indulge in a delicious breakfast from the on-site restaurant. They then take their pick of free rentals or activities such as kayaks or SUP boards, or the daily fun activities such as salsa or yoga classes.
After that, it’s party time. Encouraged by the inclusive family dinners and lubricated by free beers, the social scene here is nothing short of incredible.
To get to Free Cerveza hostel, just take a boat from anywhere on the lake and request to be dropped off at their private dock. Conveniently, Free Cerveza hostel is only located 20 minutes away from the main dock in Panajachel.
2. Dreamboat Hostel – Best Hostel in Lake Atitlan For Solo Travellers
- Dorm (mixed): From $13
- Private Room: From $45
- Address: 05 Calle 03-39 Zona 02 Calle Monterrey, Panajachel, Panajachel, Guatemala
Dreamboat Hostel is located in the biggest and busiest town on the north side of the lake. This active, social and party vibes hostel is one of the best hostels for solo travellers in Central America to come and meet new people.
Dreamboat Hostel encourages socialising and their staff always urge people to interact, put their damn phones away and drink! They have daily activities to help you break out of your comfort zone and hang with all the other backpackers such as beer pong tournaments, karaoke and super cheap and discounted drinks to get the convos flowing.
The dorm rooms are the best option for solo travellers, and they offer six and four-bed dorms. If you can’t deal with snorers (or are a loud snorer yourself) they also have a private room option.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Awesome Rooftop
- Super Clean
- Social Atmosphere
My favourite thing about Dreamboat Hostel is their rooftop which has insane lake and volcano views and is the perfect place for a moment of peace, or a cheeky private convo.
At Dreamboat, they have a tour and travel desk which can help you arrange your onward travels. They also offer a variety of experiences where you and your new hostel mates can book some of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan.
Dreamboat Hostel is wonderfully located in Panajachel which makes taking day trips to other parts of the lake a breeze and there are a bunch of nearby restaurants, cafes and other things to see and within walking distance.
If you’re too hungover or simply can’t be bothered to head out for your morning coffee, don’t worry. Dreamboat offers free coffee to guests each morning so you can get your caffeine fix in your PJs.
3. La Iguana Perdida – Best Cheap Hostel in Lake Atitlan
- Dorm (mixed): From $16
- Private Room: From $45
- Address: Santa Cruz La Laguna, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala
La Iguana Perdida is a hostel that travellers in Guatemala have called their lakeside spot home for over 20 years. This old hostel in Santa Cruz La Laguna has remained a top choice for travellers over the years for good reason.
Santa Cruz La Laguna is a gorgeous and peaceful traditional Mayan village on the northern shores of Lake Atitlan. This place acts as a fantastic base for those coming to Atitlan to learn Spanish in a school, freedive in the lake or any other of the other fantastic activities that one can do in Atitlan.
The rooms at La Iguana Perdida vary from basic to luxurious. They have three dorm rooms with space for up to 22 visitors in addition to multiple different types of private rooms which can suit backpacking couples, groups of friends or even those travelling as a family.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Saturday Dress Up and BBQ Party
- Daily Family Dinners
- On-site Dive Shop
La Iguana Perdida offers daily activities which are perfect for finding travel buddies in your new home. Some of my favourite activities here include the daily family dinners and Saturday BBQs (with a dress-up theme). With your new mates, you can explore the surrounding lake, and the nearby Mayan villages and even organise onward travel at their tours and travel desk.
La Iguana Perdida also has the only dive shop in the surrounding area, for over 20 years too. If you fancy learning to dive or getting PADI certified in the unique setting of the volcanic lake Atitlan, then La Iguana Perdida is the place to be!
With budget dorm room options for as little as $7 (at the right time of year), La Iguana Perdida is one of the cheapest places to stay in Lake Atitlan and is where the truly broke backpackers stay.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI4. Mr Mullet’s Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Lake Atitlan
- Dorm (mixed): From $17
- Private Room: From $44
- Address: Main street, San Pedro La Laguna, San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
Mr Mullet’s is a legendary party hostel in San Pedro La Laguna (my favourite town in Lake Atitlan). It’s not just the best party hostel in Lake Atitlan, it’s the best party hostel in Guatemala, for sure. In fact, as someone who doesn’t even like party hostels, I f*cking loved this place and would go as far as speculating that Mr Mullet’s is one of the best hostels in the world for partying!
With a two-night minimum stay (don’t worry, you’ll need this anyway) Mr Mullet’s has a variety of dorm sizes (4, 6 and 8-bed) and even a female-only dorm for the 365 party girls. If you want to sleep in a private room, they also offer those, but they sell out fast!
The hostel is equipped with a tours and travel desk, an on-site bar and a bunch of other standard stuff, but that’s not the reason people come here. Backpackers love Mr Mullet’s Hostel because it hosts some of the craziest parties and social events in Central America with live DJs, bi-weekly pub crawls and, of course, the INSANE boat party out on the lake at 10 am every Thursday.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Pool Table and Beer Pong
- Pub Crawl each Tuesday and Saturday
- Free Pancakes, Tea and Coffee Everyday
The Thursday boat party takes place on the lake amongst the scenery of some of Central America’s best volcanoes and is an absolutely unmissable event for backpackers in Guatemala. What I’m trying to say is make sure you book a Thursday night as part of your stay here!
Even if you can’t make it here on Thursdays, there’s never a boring day at Mr Mullet’s with daily happy hours (with 2-for-1 drinks), themed parties and beer pong tournaments being commonplace here. Mr Mullets is also one of the best hostels for solo travellers in Lake Atitlan looking to socialise and meet new mates.
For those hungover mornings, you can wake up to free coffee, tea and super fluffy pancakes. You can then head out for a lazy day exploring my favourite town in Lake Atitlan thanks to the convenient location of the hostel right in the heart of San Pedro La Laguna.
5. Selina Atitlan – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Lake Atitlan
- Dorm (mixed): From $21
- Private Room: From $84
- Address: Calle del Embarcadero, Panajachel, Guatemala
Located in the main town on the north shore of Lake Atitlan, Panajachel is Selina Atitlan. This is the perfect hostel for those flashpackers or hostel-worn backpackers looking for a more chilled and slightly luxurious stay in Lake Atitlan.
Selina Atitlan has a stunning array of room options with some of the nicest private rooms I’ve ever seen in a hostel and some more affordable dorm rooms too. There are 4 and 8-bed mixed dorms as well as female-only dorms on offer to accommodate all types of travellers in Guatemala.
There are a ton of amazing facilities at this place such as a shared kitchen, a movie room, a gorgeous pool and a co-working area. Because of this, like most Selina hostels, Selina Atitlan is a great hostel for those living the digital nomad lifestyle.
If you do fancy a bit of socialising, there is a friendly vibe here. In addition, they have a lakeside (beach) bar/club which makes late afternoons/evenings rather fun on the right days.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Movie Room
- Yoga Classes
- Beautiful Private Rooms
Selina Atitlan offers a plethora of tours and activities such as lakeside yoga and is a fantastic place to absorb the volcanic views and Mayan culture that Atitlan is all about. All this while building meaningful connections with like-minded backpackers or digital nomads.
There is a brilliant on-site restaurant which serves a gorgeous breakfast and good food. Thanks to the great location of this place, if you don’t fancy eating at the hostel, you can wander into Panajachel or some nearby restaurants. The pier is also extremely close by, making navigating your way to other towns around the lake a breeze.
One of my favourite things about this hostel is that it’s guaranteed to always be super clean. It’s a fantastic option for travelling couples (and families). Selina Atitlan is my pick for the best hostel in Lake Atitlan to be productive, get some good rest and recharge.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Lake Atitlan Hostels
Not found what you’re looking for yet? No stress. Here are some more banging hostels in one of the best places to visit in Guatemala, Lake Atitlan.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
6. Mandala’s Hostal
- Dorm (mixed): From $12
- Private Room: From $35
- Address: San Pedro La Laguna, Zona 2, Segundo Acceso P., San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
Mandala’s Hostel is a cute little hostel located in San Pedro La Laguna. It’s a quiet and chilled hostel, but that’s what makes it so great.
San Pedro La Laguna is a very busy part of the Lake and the arty scene here is popping. The best thing about staying at Mandala’s is that you go out and party and then walk back to a nice and peaceful hostel to get your beauty sleep without being woken up by those party hostel room antics (you know what I mean).
They offer both private room options and dorm beds to suit each and every type of traveller. The beds are reportedly extremely comfortable so this is really the place to come for a good night’s sleep.
My favourite thing about Mandala’s Hostel is the terrace/rooftop which offers stunning views of the Lake. There is also a STACKED communal kitchen which is great if you want to cook your own meals during your stay in Atitlan.
7. Hotel Amigos
- Dorm (mixed): From $9
- Private Room: From $39
- Address: Avenida 4 A,, Zona 2, Solola, San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
Hotel Amigos is a newly renovated hostel located in San Pedro La Laguna. Much like the previous hostel in this list, this is a great hostel to relax in, but not the most social. This hostel is extremely spacious and has some awesome common areas to recharge your batteries after a night out on the town.
ALL of the rooms (both private and dorm types) have INSANE lake views on the balconies which you can marvel at from your bed! This is truly a unique and unmatched characteristic that Hotel Amigos has over many of the other hostels in the area.
Not only are there lake views outside of each room, but there are also hammocks too! You’re never going to get off your ass if you stay at Hotel Amigos, but that’s sometimes what we need.
Because the staff know that you’re going to be enjoying your lazy days here, you also get a daily cleaning service to ensure that you can chillax in a perfect environment.
8. Nomades Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $11
- Address: Calle Santander 517, Panajachel, Guatemala
Located on Santander Street in the heart of Panajachel is where you will find the final place on this list of the best hostels in Lake Atitlan – Nomades Hostel. This hostel describes itself as:
“A small and cosy place, like an apartment, perfect for those looking for a relaxed and homey atmosphere during their trip”
When they say small and cosy, they mean it! This hostel has a communal kitchen and only has space for up to 9 guests so it’s not the most social place in the world but is a fantastic place to base yourself if you are looking for a quiet time.
Many people visit Lake Atitlan to look inward, focus on themselves and partake in activities such as yoga, freediving and hiking. If this sounds like you and you want to stay somewhere homely and get away from the crowds without having out splash on a private room then Nomades Hostel is for you!
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Lake Atitlan
Getting yourself some good travel insurance is always a good idea. Especially in loco locations like Guatemala. Don’t be dumb; it’s a rule of thumb.
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.
FAQs About Hostels in Lake Atitlan
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about staying in hostels in Lake Atitlan. If you have any questions of your own, feel free to drop them in the comments below.
What To Pack For Your Lake Atitlan 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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Final Thoughts on Lake Atitlan’s Hostels
Ok, so there we have it. That was the best hostels in Lake Atitlan! I hope you’ve found one that you are excited about, whatever type of traveller you are.
If I could leave you with one final recommendation (just in case you haven’t made up your mind yet) it would be to book your stay in Free Cerveza Hostel. Free Cerveza Hostel is undoubtedly the best hostel in Lake Atitlan and it books out FAST! Secure your booking early to avoid disappointment.
If you also might also want to check out a few different places around the lake, consider a night or two in Mr Mullet’s in San Pedro La Laguna or Selina Atitlan in Panajachel.
Either way, you’re gonna have an epic time here.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around Guatemala.
- Travelling onwards from the Lake? Pick the perfect hostel in Antigua, likely your next stop.
- Next up you’re gonna need to know all the best places to visit in Guatemala to plan your trip.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
- Why not zen out at one of the best yoga retreats in Guatemala?
- Our in-depth Central America backpacking guide will help you plan the rest of your adventure.
