Where to Stay in Antigua: Best Hotels in Antigua Guatemala for Every Budget

In this post, I’m sharing my top picks for the best hotels in Antigua Guatemala to help you decide where to stay in Antigua. Antigua is a tourist destination home to many good Antigua Guatemala hotels. However, if you want to find the BEST place to stay in Antigua, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will help you discover the best place to stay in Antigua for your travel preferences and budget.

To make things easier, I’ll first explain how the city is divided so you can get a better idea of where to stay in Antigua, depending on your travel plans. I’ve also separated the Antigua hotels into categories based on price.

Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress. 
Best Antigua Tours: Click here to check out the top Antigua tours
Best Antigua Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Antigua
Best Antigua Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Antigua

Best Hotels Antigua Guatemala

Whether you need a budget-friendly Antigua hotel or want to splurge on one of the luxury hotels Antigua Guatemala is home to, I’ve got options.

Not sure if you want to travel to Guatemala right now? Read my guide to traveling to Guatemala.

Where to Stay in Antigua Guatemala

First, you need to know how Antigua is divided. While it’s a small city, you can go from the chaotic chicken bus station to the “chic” area with boutique hotels and indie cafes within a 30-minute walk.

It’s easy to find your way around if you remember the hill of the cross is north, Agua Volcano is south, and the main square is in the middle. Easy, right?

There is no best/worst area or hotel to stay in Antigua—it depends on your interests. That’s why I’ve divided the city into five areas to describe everything.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?

The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing

Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.

Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

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1. West (“Poniente” on Maps)

There is where you’ll find the local market and chicken bus station. You’ll find fresh fruits and veggies near the local market, craft stores, supermarkets, and secondhand clothing shops. You can find good quality clothing for cheap prices, but you must be VERY patient when digging through the piles of clothes. In this area, you’ll find everything you need to survive if staying in Antigua for a while.

Nearby accommodations are affordable, but I don’t recommend them. Not because they aren’t lovely, but because they’re in a noisy area. If you enjoy walking around after dark, this is not the safest area for Antigua Guatemala hotels. Read my safety advice for solo female travelers in Guatemala for extra tips.

If you’re wondering what a chicken bus is, it’s the unofficial name that tourists give to the local transportation. Chicken buses are old-school buses that have been renewed with vivid paint jobs. Some have fascinating neon lights inside—sometimes, the owners add extra seats to fit more passengers. Oh, and we can’t forget about the loud music! Check out my blog post about how to get from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua for the different transportation options.

2. East (“Oriente” on Maps)

You’ll find several jewelry stores, indie shops, and yoga studios in this area of Antigua. I lived in this area and found it quiet and safe. Plus, I loved being close to my favorite places to practice yoga in Guatemala.

3. Northeast

There isn’t much to see in northeastern Antigua besides local houses, but this is where you begin the walk to Hill of the Cross. I advise going between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., as there’s a police presence, making it safer. Outside these hours, there’s no police presence, which isn’t as safe.

4. South

Southern Antigua is a lovely area with stores, hostels, ruins, and exciting things to see if you fancy exploring. This is where most backpackers in Guatemala stay. It’s lively (but not too noisy), with many accommodation options, places to eat, and cute shops.

5. Center

Central Antigua has cafes, restaurants, bookstores, hotels, hostels, tour agencies, and museums. The nightlife happens within a one-block radius of the central square and 6th North Street. If you are looking for good street food, visit La Merced in the evenings.

Best Luxury Hotels Antigua Guatemala

Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo

This is a famous Antigua hotel that’s been standing for years. It’s located inside the ruins of an old convent, hence the name Santo Domingo. The building was beautifully renovated with modern touches while preserving the aesthetic of the ruins.

If you prefer nature, they offer beautifully decorated and comfortable cabins in the woods outside of Antigua.

The building also has a spa and museum, making it one of the best Antigua hotels.

Hotel Camino Real Antigua

This is the best hotel in Antigua Guatemala to be spoiled. They have a spa, gym, bar, and a restaurant with delicious food. The hotel is also in an excellent location for walking around Antigua.

Booking.com rating: 9.2

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5

Porta Hotel Antigua

Porta Hotel Antigua Guatemala is in a tranquil area of southern Antigua, perfect for a family vacation—and they’re pet-friendly!

The rooms are beautifully decorated and overlook the pool or the garden. Oh, and it has an on-site spa! This is one of the nicest hotels in Antigua Guatemala—look through the photos to see what I mean.

Booking.com rating: 9.0

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5

Best Boutique Hotels Antigua

El Convento Boutique Hotel

This hotel’s details are crazy! It is the definition of luxury and privacy with colonial decorations—I recommend it for honeymooners. Although it isn’t as close to the central square as other Antigua hotels, you can still walk around the city. It sets the standard for other Antigua boutique hotels.

Consider El Convento the best hotel Antigua offers for snapping Instagram pictures.

Booking.com rating: 9.1

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5

Good Hotel Antigua

Good Hotel Antigua is unlike any hotels in Antigua. The architecture and decorations are modern and minimalist, unlike the baroque and colonial styles you’ll find across the city. The name Good Hotel comes from their work with Niños de Guatemala, an ONG that educates underprivileged children in the towns around Antigua. Good Hotel says 100% of its profits go to its alliance with Niños de Guatemala.

Booking.com rating: 9.0

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5

Other Nice Hotels Near Antigua

Meson de Maria

While Meson de Maria isn’t as luxurious as other hotels in Antigua Guatemala, it is beautifully adorned with fresh, colorful flowers, which is enchanting. Meson de Maria is close to the city center—you only have to take a few steps to find a nice restaurant, sip a cup of coffee, go to a bar, or sit in the central square and enjoy the afternoon.

Hotel Las Camelias Inn by AHS

The terrace is one of the top highlights at Hotel Las Camelias Inn. It’s a beautiful place to sunbathe or work on your computer. This hotel is close to everything, clean, and attractive for an affordable price.

Booking.com rating: 8.3

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0

Hotel Selah

This hotel has the vibe of a Barbie dollhouse in a good way. The owners did an excellent job with the decor to make it look beautiful and non-colonial. If you have a sweet tooth, check out the hotel’s small cafe—digital nomads will appreciate the pastries and WiFi. Plus, it’s pet-friendly!

Booking.com rating: 9.4

Quick Tip: View my full Guatemala packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Guatemala Essentials shopping list here.

Antigua Best Hotels and Hostels for Backpackers

Selina Antigua

If you’ve traveled to Central America, you’re probably familiar with Selina hostels. Selina Hostel Antigua Guatemala does not disappoint. These hostels are built for travelers wanting a fun, safe, and clean space to relax or do computer work. They have a pool, eating area, bar, and coworking space—you can also enjoy a yoga class on the terrace.

Booking.com rating: 8.4

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0

Maya Papaya

Maya Papaya is a beautiful hostel with minimal decor, a bar, a terrace, a game room, and WiFi. It’s straightforward but beautiful.

Booking.com rating: 9.3

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5

Adra Hostel

Adra Hostel is an excellent hostel for travelers with a sustainable mindset—you must try the cocktails and food at the restaurant!

Booking.com rating: 9.4

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5

The Purpose Hostel

Last but not least is this beautiful hostel in southern Antigua. They accommodate people with different skills and mindsets to create an ambiance where everybody can freely share knowledge. Don’t ask me how, but they have stayed true to that mission. This is a place to bond and feel at home—plus, they have incredible ratings, a beautiful terrace perfect for yoga, and a game room.

Booking.com rating: 9.6

Tripadvisor rating: 5.0

Antigua Travel Guide Planning

🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Antigua?

Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Antigua which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Antigua on Amazon here.

🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Antigua?

I strongly recommend using GottoGo. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.

🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Antigua?

I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.

I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack. 

Best Hotels in Antigua Guatemala: Final Thoughts

Antigua Guatemala is a beautiful place and a must-see when traveling through Guatemala. There are many activities, places to go, restaurants, and new people to meet. When considering where to stay in Antigua, there are Antigua Guatemala hotels for every traveler, regardless of budget.