Are you looking for hotels in Guatemala City? Most people avoid staying in Guatemala City at all costs, choosing instead to head straight to tourist-friendly Antigua. But with so much to explore in the city, you shouldn’t completely discount it. Plus sometimes if you have an early or late flight then staying close to the airport can be unavoidable.
In this guide, I have included my recommendations for places to stay in Guatemala City close to the airport, as well as some budget options if you want to do a little sightseeing in the city.
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Why stay in Guatemala City
Guatemala is one of my favorite countries. I planned on staying there for 3 weeks and ended up living there for 9 months. Many travelers visit the city for business, need to go to the city for a visa renewal or decide to stay close to the airport to catch an early flight.
Yes, Guatemala City can be a dangerous place, but there are also a lot of cool things to see and do in the city. So stay safe, stick to the tourist-friendly areas and always ask the advice of the staff at the hotel before venturing off alone.
If you do this I’m sure you will have a fantastic time in Guatemala City.
Best area to stay in Guatemala City
If you are just looking for somewhere close to the airport you will find plenty of options below, all of them are very safe and offer a free shuttle service to and from the airport. Several of them I have personally stayed at on my own and felt very safe.
If however, you decide to spend a few days in Guatemala City then you do need to be very careful when choosing a place to stay, as there are areas of the city that are extremely dangerous.
All of the Guatemala City accommodation in this blog post is situated in tourist safe areas. But so you know the best areas to stay in Guatemala City, that are considered safe for tourists are zone 9 and 10. If you want to stay in the city stick to these areas.
Zone 1 is where the bus terminals and a lot of the historic points of interest are. This is also where you will find cheap accommodation but I really wouldn’t recommend it. Zona 1 is considered to be a dangerous area of the city, so if you are concerned about safety then it is worth spending a little more to stay in Zone 9 or 10. It is fine to walk around (with caution) during the day, but I would not be walking around zona 1 after dark!
The Best Hotels in Guatemala City
The number 1 rated hotel in Guatemala City
Hyatt Centric Guatemala City
Not only is this rated number 1 on booking.com, but it also has one of the best-rated locations in Guatemala City, and it’s rated as the best value hotel in Guatemala City.
Being located in the Zona 10, it is a great choice for travelers interested in sightseeing, history, and archaeology. The airport is 5 km away, and there is an airport shuttle service is provided by the hotel for an additional charge. The rooms are large and come with a TV and free wifi. There is also a business center at the hotel that you can use for meetings or work.
Booking.com rating 8.9
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Top Luxury Hotel in Guatemala City
Barcelo Guatemala City
If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Guatemala City look no further. The Barcelo boasts an outdoor pool hot tub, gym, sauna, and spa.
Basically, if you stay here you won’t need to leave the comfort of the hotel! Although if you do want to leave it is in Zona 9 with is the business area of the city right next to the tourist area of Zona 10.
Booking.com rating 9.4
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Top Boutique hotel in Guatemala City
Meraki Boutique Hotel
Located in Zona 10 this boutique hotel is ideally suited to couples wanting to see the sights in Guatemala City.
Breakfast is included and the staff are really friendly. If you are planning on traveling in Guatemala they are more than happy to help you plan your trip.
There is an airport shuttle and the hotel is located just 3 blocks from the shopping mall.
Booking.com rating 8.9
Tripadvisor rating 4
Guatemala City Airport Hotels
Laguna Sky Guatemala
You can literally walk here from the airport!
But if you don’t fancy the walk or have heavy bags the staff will also pick you up and drop you off for free…even if you have to be back at the airport at 5 am!
The rooms are clean, staff are helpful and you won’t do better than here for a place to crash close to the airport. I have personally stayed here for an early flight with no problems.
Booking.com rating 9
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Hostal Donde Regina
This is my personal favorite Guatemala airport hotel. The staff are super nice and the place is spotless.
The only negative is there is no sign outside so if you are arriving on foot it can be tricky to find. You can get around this though by just using their Airport Shuttle service. Contact them before and let them know what time your flight gets in. Or if you are coming from Antigua get them to drop you at the airport and then call them to pick you up from there.
Booking.com rating 9.3
Tripadvisor rating no reviews
NovoHostal B&B
This is another good option if you want to be close to the airport. It is just 1km away and they have a shuttle to pick you up. Breakfast is included and it has a nice family atmosphere.
Booking.com rating 9.1
Tripadvisor rating 5
Apartments in Guatemala City
Casa Mesa Apartment
If you are looking to stay in the city for a few days this is a great option. It is located in a very safe area with a shop very close. The owners are lovely and extremely helpful. They also speak a little English which could help if your Spanish isn’t great!
The bonus is that if you are arriving from the airport you can contact them to arrange for them to pick you up (extra cost).
Booking.com rating 9.2
Tripadvisor rating 5
Give House
This is actually a set of apartments above a restaurant right in Zona 1. It’s great for sightseeing but not so great if you just want a place to crash close to the airport. Because there is no reception if you will be arriving ‘out of hours’ you will need to communicate with Giovanni the owner to arrange to be let in.
Think of this more as an Airbnb with a super friendly and accommodating host than a hotel. But it is in zona 1 though.
Booking.com rating 9.5
Tripadvisor rating 5
Casa Mili
If you need to stay in the city but don’t want to feel like you’re actually in the city then this apartment is a great choice.
It is 4k from the airport and about 9k from the palace. But it is peaceful and has a lovely garden and feels very safe. Not recommended if you are traveling solo and are here for a few days just to see the sights because of the location.
Booking.com rating 9
Top Hotels in Guatemala City
Clarion Suites Guatemala City
Located in Zona 10 right in the heart of the tourist area. There is a free airport shuttle, onsite shop, restaurant, and business center. This hotel is most suited to business travelers in Guatemala City. The rooms are all a good size and well equipped with everything you could need for business travel.
Be aware the free shuttle is only available at more sociable times of the day. So, if you have an early or late flight check with the hotel first as there may be a charge.
Booking.com rating 9
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Radisson Hotel and Suites Guatemala City
Located in the Viva district of zona 10 it is a very safe option for travelers looking to spend some time in the city. They have a good size rooftop hot tub, gym, and a free airport shuttle. The rooms as nice and all come with AC.
The main reason to stay here is the location though as the area is very safe.
Booking.com rating 8.6
Tripadvisor rating 4
Holiday Inn Guatemala
Located in the popular Zona 10 just 10 minutes drive from the airport. The Holiday Inn is in a great location close to local restaurants and shops.
The hotel offers a free shuttle from the airport, although you will have to call them to pick you up. They have a really nice swimming pool, helpful staff and if you are planning on traveling to El Salvador the bus stop is right outside making it super convenient.
Booking.com rating 8.7
Tripadvisor rating 4
Best Hostels in Guatemala City
Casa Jocotenango
If you are looking for somewhere central it is 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 people to stay here is Luis the owner! He goes over and above to help out guests. The building is old and the hostel really is beautiful. They can also pick you up from the airport if you ask.
Booking.com rating 9
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Quetzalroo
This is the most popular hostel among backpackers. It features a rooftop terrace and a shared TV lounge. The hostel is well known on the backpacker circuit for its great location in zona 10, and friendly staff.
The price includes transport to the airport or bus stations inside the city area. The name comes from the Quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird, a beautiful highland bird that can only live in freedom and The Kangaroo, Australia´s icon.
As you have probably already guessed from the name the owners are from Guatemala and Australia.
Booking.com rating 8.7
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Other accommodation in Guatemala City worth mentioning are:
Mariana’s Petit Hotel
Don’t be put off by the slightly dated decor. This bed and breakfast is clean, comfortable, and perfect if you need somewhere to stay before or after a late/ early flight.
They offer a shuttle service, a delicious breakfast, and the terrace is a great place to relax. The communication and attention to detail from the staff is a real bonus. So if you are nervous about staying in the city I highly recommend choosing to stay here.
Booking.com rating 9.1
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City
Located in zone 9 which is more the business district. This area is great for business travels. It is next to Zona 10 so relatively close to the more touristic area.
It has everything you would expect from a Hilton Hotel including 24-hour reception. If you want to do some shopping it is very close to the Próceres Shopping Centre. The only thing that lets this hotel down is not having a pool, which I would expect for the price.
The hotel does offer an airport shuttle.
Booking.com rating 8.6
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
La Inmaculada Hotel
If you want to stay in the City to do some sightseeing this is a great option! It is close to the Zona Viva neighborhood where you will find a lot of trendy places to eat and drink. It is about 5k from the historic areas but the hotel can help you find transport.
They offer a free shuttle pick up from the airport too.
Booking.com rating 9.1
Tripadvisor rating 4.5
Final Thoughts
I really hope this guide has helped you to find the perfect accommodation in Guatemala City. Hopefully, it will help you to find the perfect place to stay on your vacation or business trip.
p.s. If you are traveling a lot and using the internet at hotels I would really recommend getting a VPN and using it when you are using public WiFi. 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 back home haha). I’ve even used my VPN to help me get cheap flights! If you want more information check out this beginners guide to using a VPN here.
Looking for Accommodation in Antigua?
There are 3 places I recommend Selina or Yellow House Hostel if you are looking for a hostel. Alternatively, if you want an Airbnb I can’t recommend this house enough. The owner Chelsea is a very good friend and I stayed in the larger one last time I was in Antigua. For hotels, I recommend Hotel Mesón de María, Barbara’s Boutique Hostel, or Hotel Paseo de la Merced.
Would you like up to $29 off Airbnb? Just use this link.
Looking for things to do in Guatemala?
I have a who loads of ideas for you here.
How to get from Antigua to Semuc Champey
Things to know before visiting Antigua
How to spend a day in Antigua Guatemala
How to Spend the Weekend 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
Kurtis
Wednesday 15th of December 2021
This is great, thanks!
Alistair Langfield
Wednesday 6th of February 2019
Nice post! Thanks for sharing!