Where to Stay Guatemala: Best Hotel in Guatemala City

Are you planning a trip to Guatemala and searching for the best hotel in Guatemala City? You’ve come to the right place! Most people avoid staying in Guatemala City at all costs, heading straight to tourist-friendly Antigua. But with so much to explore in Guatemala City, you shouldn’t completely discount it. Plus, if you have an early or late flight from the local airport, you may want to stay at one of the many Guatemala hotels (known as “Guatemala City hoteles”) near the airport.

In this guide to where to stay in Guatemala City, I’ve included recommendations for the top hotels in Guatemala and hotels near Guatemala City Airport.

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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Hotels in Guatemala: Where to Stay Guatemala

Guatemala is one of my favorite countries—I planned on staying for three weeks during my first visit and ended up living there for nine months! Many travelers visit Guatemala City for business, to renew their travel visas, or to stay in a Guatemala City Airport hotel to catch an early flight.

While Guatemala City can be dangerous in certain areas, there are many cool things to see and do. If you stick to tourist-friendly areas and avoid walking alone at night, you’ll likely have a fun and relaxing stay in Guatemala.

Where to Stay in Guatemala: Best Areas in Guatemala City

If you’re looking for affordable and comfortable hotels near Guatemala Airport, there are plenty of safe options that offer free shuttles to and from the airport. I’ve stayed at several of these Guatemala City hotels and felt safe, though you need to be careful as many areas are extremely dangerous.

All Guatemala City hotels in this blog post are located in tourist-safe areas. Regarding where to stay in Guatemala City as a tourist, zones nine and 10 are considered the safest. A quick search of “hoteles Guatemala zona 10,” for instance, will show you the top Guatemala hotels for out-of-town visitors.

Zone one is where the central bus terminals and many historic points of interest are located. While you can find cheap Guatemala City hoteles in zone one, I don’t recommend it since the area is considered dangerous. It’s worth spending a little more to stay in a zone nine or 10 hotel in Guatemala City. Zone one is typically safe to tour during the day, but I don’t suggest visiting after dark.

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

Best Hotel in Guatemala City: Hotels in Guatemala City Near Airport

Top Guatemala City Airport Hotel: Hyatt Centric Guatemala City

The Hyatt Centric Hotel Guatemala City is highly rated on Booking.com and is known as one of the top hotels Guatemala City has to offer. When it comes to the best hoteles Guatemala zona 10 is home to, the Hyatt is hard to beat.

This hotel in Guatemala City is an excellent choice for travelers interested in sightseeing, history, and archaeology. The airport is just five kilometers away, and there’s an airport shuttle service available for an additional charge. With large rooms boasting TVs and free Wi-Fi, the Hyatt Centric Guatemala City is ideal for casual tourists and digital nomads.

Top Luxury Hotel in Guatemala City: Barcelo Guatemala City

Wondering where to stay in Guatemala for a luxurious experience? The Barcelo Hotel in Guatemala City boasts an outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, sauna, and spa—you won’t need to leave the comfort of the hotel! However, if you want to explore Guatemala, the Barcelo is conveniently located in zone nine.

Top Boutique Hotel Guatemala City: Meraki Boutique Hotel

As one of the best hoteles Guatemala zona 10 is home to, Meraki Boutique Hotel is ideal for couples wanting to see the Guatemala City sights. Breakfast is included with your stay, and the staff is incredibly friendly and will even help you plan your trip if needed. The Meraki is also one of the best hotels near Guatemala City Airport since it offers a shuttle for guests.

Laguna Sky Guatemala

You could walk from the Laguna Sky Guatemala to the local airport! Thankfully, the staff at this Guatemala City Airport hotel can also pick you up and drop you off for free. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place to crash near the airport.

Hostal Donde Regina

Among the many options for hotels near Guatemala Airport, Hostal Donde Regina is my favorite. Not only is the staff super friendly and helpful, but the hotel property is spotless.

The only negative to this Guatemala City Airport hotel is there’s no sign outside—if you’re arriving on foot, it can be tricky to find. However, you can contact the hotel in advance and let them know what time your flight arrives so they can pick you up from the airport.

NovoHostal B&B

Another good option for Guatemala City hoteles close to the airport is NovoHostal B&B. This hotel is just one kilometer from the airport, and the hotel has a shuttle to pick you up. Breakfast is included, and the hotel has a pleasant, family-oriented atmosphere.

Clarion Suites Guatemala City

Located in zone 10, the Clarion Suites Guatemala City hotel is in the heart of the tourist area. There’s a free airport shuttle, onsite shop, restaurant, and conference center—this hotel is most suited to business travelers in Guatemala City. The rooms are a comfortable size and well equipped with everything you could need for working on the go.

Be aware the free shuttle is only available at certain times of the day. If you have an early or late flight, check with the hotel first, as there may be a charge.

Best Western Plus Hotel Stofella

The Best Western Plus Hotel Stofella is a beautiful choice for travelers seeking comfort and convenience. You can use the hotel’s Wi-Fi for free, and rooms include TV, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a shower.

Holiday Inn Guatemala

One of the best hoteles Guatemala zona 10 is home to is the Holiday Inn Guatemala, just a 10-minute drive from the airport and close to local restaurants and shops.

This Guatemala City Airport hotel offers a free shuttle, though you’ll have to call them to pick you up. There’s a lovely swimming pool and helpful staff. Are you planning a side trip to El Salvador? The bus stop is right outside, making it super convenient.

Wyndham Garden Guatemala City

Wyndham Garden Guatemala City, situated in the Zona Viva district of Guatemala City, is a stylish and contemporary hotel for business and leisure travelers. This upscale hotel offers modern amenities like a gym and a jacuzzi on the 19th floor with stunning panoramic city views.

Barceló Guatemala City

Barceló Guatemala City is a sophisticated and luxurious hotel that blends elegance and modern comfort, making it a prime choice for travelers visiting Guatemala City. It has a range of superb amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a spa, complete with a gym and sauna.

Apartments in Guatemala City

Casa Mesa Apartment

If you want to stay in the city for a few days, renting the Casa Mesa Apartment is an excellent option in a safe and convenient area. The owners are friendly and helpful—they also speak some English, which is good if your Spanish is rusty. After landing at Guatemala City Airport, you can contact them to arrange a pickup for an extra cost.

Best Hostels in Guatemala City

Casa Jocotenango

For a centrally located stay, consider Casa Jocotenango—it’s only a 5-minute walk from Parque Central and other historical landmarks, making it my top choice for sightseeing. However, the main reason I recommend it is Luis, the owner. He goes above and beyond to help guests. The building is old, and the hostel is beautiful. As a bonus, the hostel can pick you up from the airport if you ask in advance.

Hostal Villa Toscana

Hostal Villa Toscana is a welcoming and homey place to stay in Guatemala City, perfect for tourists and families. It’s close to La Aurora International Airport, so you won’t have to go far to catch your flight. You can enjoy a delicious à la carte breakfast for free, and you’ll have access to Wi-Fi at no cost.

Mariana’s Petit Hotel

Don’t be put off by the slightly dated decor at Mariana’s Petit Hotel. This bed and breakfast is clean, comfortable, and perfect for a late or early flight. They offer a shuttle service and a delicious breakfast—the terrace is a great place to relax.

The excellent communication and attention to detail from the staff is a bonus. If you’re nervous about staying in the city, I recommend trying Mariana’s.

Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City

Located in zone nine, a business district, the Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City is great for business travelers. It’s conveniently located near zone 10, so it’s relatively close to a popular tourist area.

This hotel offers a 24-hour reception service and isn’t far from the Próceres Shopping Centre. The only disappointing thing about this hotel is the lack of a pool. Thankfully, it offers an airport shuttle.

La Inmaculada Hotel

La Immaculada Hotel is ideal for sightseeing in the city’s heart, near the trendy district of Zona Viva. While the hotel is about five kilometers from the historic area of Guatemala City, it can help you find transportation—it also has a free airport shuttle service.

Guatemala City Travel Guide Planning

🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Guatemala City?

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

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

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 Guatemala City?

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. 

Final Thoughts On the Best Hotel in Guatemala City

I hope this guide to hotels near Guatemala Airport helps you find the best hotel in Guatemala City for your next vacation or business trip.

PS If you travel a lot and use the internet at hotels, I recommend getting a VPN and using it with public Wi-Fi. There are a lot of other reasons why investing in a VPN is a good idea, like being able to watch your favorite TV program from back home. I’ve even used my VPN to find cheap flights! If you want more information, check out this beginner’s guide to using a VPN.

Check out my other Guatemala guides:

How to Get From Antigua to Semuc Champey

Things to Know Before Visiting Antigua

How to Spend a Day in Antigua Guatemala

Guatemala Guides | 5 Tours Not to Be Missed in Guatemala

Is it Safe to Visit Guatemala? Guatemala Safety Advice for Solo Female Travelers