Antigua is the most popular tourist destination in Guatemala due to its close proximity to the Guatemala City International Airport, which is located only an hour away; its beautiful historic churches; the colourful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets; pretty parks; museums and old convents to explore; coffee farms and a macadamia farm outside the city; bustling markets; and active volcanoes surrounding the city which can be climbed. It’s the perfect place to spend at least a few days after arriving to Guatemala.

Because of its popularity, there are sooo many hostels to choose from – everything from party hostels to laid-back and relaxed places. After doing lots of online research before leaving home, I finally decided that I would book my stay at El Hostal and after spending four nights there, I can say that I am very happy with my choice!

I was looking for a laid-back, comfortable hostel with a relaxed vibe and I found exactly that at El Hostal. The hostel was centrally located and within four blocks walking distance to the Parque Central, the included breakfasts were delicious and very satisfying, the central courtyard was a beautiful and comfortable place to relax, hang out and meet other travelers, the atmosphere was relaxed, quiet and laid-back yet still had a friendly and welcoming social atmosphere, the Wi-Fi connection was fast and reliable, the hostel was always clean and the staff were super friendly, charming and helpful.

This is my detailed review of El Hostal in Antigua, Guatemala.

Trip Details

Dates: November 4 to November 8, 2016 (four nights)

Room: I stayed in the 7 bed mixed dorm.

Introduction

El Hostal is a small, cozy and charming hostel situated along a quiet street in Antigua with a welcoming, friendly, laid-back and relaxed atmosphere. I really loved that this hostel is completely locally owned and run and all of the staff members employed there are local Guatemalans from the Antigua area.

The hostel was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere after spending my days walking all day and exploring around Antigua.

Location

The location of this hostel was perfect! Antigua is a fairly small city so it’s easy to walk everywhere, but I liked that El Hostal was situated only four blocks from the Parque Central – close enough to walk to in less than ten minutes but also far enough away from the bustling central area that you were still able to enjoy peace. In Antigua, you’re never really that far from anything. The hostel was inside an historic colonial house with a vibrant blue-painted exterior and it was situated on a relatively quiet cobblestone street close to the outer edge of town and a little bit away from the busier streets, which was great. The street was lined with beautiful and colourful colonial buildings with the backdrop of the surrounding lush jungle-covered volcanoes, which made for some fantastic photos!

There was an adorable juice bar called “Y Tu Pina Tambien” conveniently located just two doors down from the hostel, a cafe with a rooftop patio in a blue building across the street called “Cafe Sky,” a popular and unique bar called “Cafe No Se” across the street (but don’t worry, you can’t hear the music or any noise when you’re in the hostel so it won’t disturb your sleep) and a few other good restaurants along the same street as the hostel. It was also within short walking distance to the beautiful colonial churches throughout town (the closest one was the San Francisco Church, only one block south of the hostel), many other delicious restaurants, banks and ATMs, pharmacies, and travel agencies. The Cerro de la Cruz (large cross situated on top of a hill overlooking Antigua and surrounding volcanoes) is located along the same street as the hostel if you keep walking north to the edge of town.

Arrival and First Impressions

El Hostal was the first place that I stayed upon arriving to Guatemala for my first time. I landed at the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City at around nine at night and then took a pre-booked private transport to Antigua. After about an hour of driving along the winding highway with sharp curves that hugged the lush green, jungle-covered mountainous landscape that left me feeling completely nauseated, we finally arrived in Antigua.

It was dark and I couldn’t see much at that time, but the street that the hostel was situated on looked very pretty and quiet, with lots of colourfully painted buildings and I felt very excited about exploring the city the following day. My driver dropped me off right at the door of the hostel. It was late, the hostel was quiet and there was only one staff member working at the hostel, but I immediately felt very welcomed as he gave me a tour of the hostel and explained everything in Spanish. The check-in process was easy and after the tour, I got ready for bed and had a fantastic night’s sleep before setting out to explore the lovely city of Antigua the next day.

Amenities

This hostel has a lot of amenities that are worth mentioning, including the following:

Travel Desk – The staff at the hostel were able to book shuttle transportation to destinations around Guatemala (and also some in neighbouring Mexico and El Salvador) as well as popular local tours like those to volcano hikes at Pacaya and Acatenango and airport transfers to Guatemala City. The process for booking was fast and easy and they partner with a reliable tour company in Antigua.

– The staff at the hostel were able to book shuttle transportation to destinations around Guatemala (and also some in neighbouring Mexico and El Salvador) as well as popular local tours like those to volcano hikes at Pacaya and Acatenango and airport transfers to Guatemala City. The process for booking was fast and easy and they partner with a reliable tour company in Antigua. Towels and Linens Included – The beds are made with clean sheets and a warm blanket.

– The beds are made with clean sheets and a warm blanket. Free Wi-Fi – The connection was fast and strong and worked well throughout the hostel, including inside the dorms.

– The connection was fast and strong and worked well throughout the hostel, including inside the dorms. Excellent Included Breakfasts – The breakfasts at El Hostal were delicious and you could choose from a variety of options available on their menu, including a couple versions of the traditional Guatemalan breakfast. Each breakfast also came with a fresh fruit juice of the day or coffee.

– The breakfasts at El Hostal were delicious and you could choose from a variety of options available on their menu, including a couple versions of the traditional Guatemalan breakfast. Each breakfast also came with a fresh fruit juice of the day or coffee. Beautiful Courtyard – The courtyard was the main common area at the hostel and is situated in the middle of this colonial house. It was open to the sky and had lots of seating. It was the perfect place to relax, hang out, enjoy a delicious fresh smoothie or alcoholic beverage, and meet other travelers after a day of exploring Antigua!

– The courtyard was the main common area at the hostel and is situated in the middle of this colonial house. It was open to the sky and had lots of seating. It was the perfect place to relax, hang out, enjoy a delicious fresh smoothie or alcoholic beverage, and meet other travelers after a day of exploring Antigua! Security Lockers – There were large metal lockers situated underneath each bunk bed and also additional smaller lockers in the hallway outside the dorms. These were perfect for storing my belongings and valuables. Make sure to bring your own lock, as they are not provided.

– There were large metal lockers situated underneath each bunk bed and also additional smaller lockers in the hallway outside the dorms. These were perfect for storing my belongings and valuables. Make sure to bring your own lock, as they are not provided. Guest Kitchen – At the back of the hostel there was a small kitchen which guests could use. It was equipped with a stove, cookware, utensils and a fridge.

– At the back of the hostel there was a small kitchen which guests could use. It was equipped with a stove, cookware, utensils and a fridge. 24 Hour Front Desk Staff – There was at least one staff member present at all times of the day and night, which is very helpful if you need to check-in later in the evening or at night. The hostel is always open!

– There was at least one staff member present at all times of the day and night, which is very helpful if you need to check-in later in the evening or at night. The hostel is always open! Cafe/Bar – In the courtyard, there was a small cafe and bar counter where you could order a variety of alcoholic drinks, fresh fruit smoothies, coffee, tea, and other drinks for very reasonable prices.

– In the courtyard, there was a small cafe and bar counter where you could order a variety of alcoholic drinks, fresh fruit smoothies, coffee, tea, and other drinks for very reasonable prices. Luggage Storage – The hostel offered free luggage storage if you plan to be staying in Antigua for longer after you check-out of the hostel.

The Room

I stayed in the 7-bed mixed dorm, which was located directly beside the central courtyard in the hostel. The hostel also had a 10-bed and 6-bed mixed dorm and a couple of private rooms as well, for those looking for a bit more privacy.

The dorm was a good size and had nice tiled floors, sturdy wooden bunk beds, a fan, a window opening to the courtyard which allowed lots of light in during the day (and had curtains which could be closed at night), and a few small wooden night tables around the room. It was clean and comfortable. There were large metal lockers (which were big enough to fit a backpack) situated underneath the bunks where you could store your valuables and backpack (make sure to bring your own lock). The mattresses and pillows were comfortable and I appreciated the warm blankets on the beds, as the temperatures in Antigua really cool down at night. Each bunk also had its own power outlet beside it (which made it very convenient to charge your phone and keep it close by at night), a reading lamp and privacy curtains. The dorm was cleaned daily.

I got a really good sleep every night in the dorm.

Common Areas

This hostel was small and there was only one main common area where everybody hung out and relaxed and that was the central courtyard. The courtyard had a lovely garden-like atmosphere and was open to the sky and it was bright and airy, but there were some plastic sheets acting as a roof to protect the sitting areas around the edges of the courtyard (so even if it rains, you can still enjoy this space). There was a large stone water fountain in the centre, some really gorgeous and massive ferns growing in pots hanging from the ceiling around the space, and other lush green plants and trees throughout the area. A super comfortable L-shaped couch was situated on one corner of the courtyard with a wooden table in front of it, a few sun loungers inside the courtyard, and a hammock behind the couch. The small bar and cafe counter was also situated in the courtyard with a few bar stools in front of it. In the wide aisleways along the edges of the courtyard, there were some small wooden tables and chairs where people would eat for breakfast and a couple of wooden tables with large jugs of purified water on top of them which guests had free and unlimited access to.

The courtyard was a really chill, peaceful, comfortable and relaxed place to relax, hang out, enjoy a beverage from the cafe/bar and meet other travelers. There were some power outlets on the wooden poles supporting the roof along the edges of the courtyard, which made charging your phone and other electronics super convenient. In the evenings, there was usually some funky and catchy music playing in the courtyard, but it wasn’t too loud and still allowed people to be able to chat without shouting at one another. Pretty much everyone went to sleep early during my stay there and the courtyard had pretty much cleared out and was quiet by 11 PM or 12 AM at the latest, which allowed for a wonderful night’s sleep!

In the lobby of the hostel immediately after walking inside from the street, there were a couple of wooden benches for sitting and a large bulletin board filled with helpful information like advertisements and posters for local tours, hostels, restaurants, events and activities.

Atmosphere & Vibe

One of the things I loved most about this hostel was the atmosphere. Even though they have a small bar in the courtyard where you can order alcoholic drinks, this is definitely not a party hostel. The atmosphere was super laid-back, relaxed and quiet but also had a friendly social vibe. which was perfect for what I was looking for and it was a small hostel which made it easier to make friends with some of the other travelers staying there.

In the evenings, there were always some people hanging out in the courtyard and relaxing on the couches and chairs or enjoying a drink from the bar. Even as an introvert, I found it easy to meet people (especially other solo travelers) there and start conversations. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming and I met some really cool people there. There were also a good chunk of people who left the hostel in the evenings and headed out to the bars and restaurants.

The hostel attracted a more mature backpacking crowd and not just young party-loving types, which I loved. It was great to meet travelers from all walks of life and all age groups and hear their stories!

Washrooms

There were both male and female shared washrooms situated in two separate rooms along the hallway between the hostel’s courtyard and the kitchen. The toilet and shower stalls were separated, with three toilet stalls on one side of the room and three shower stalls on the opposite side. Three sinks and mirrors situated in the hallway outside of the washrooms.

The washrooms were always clean and the showers had strong water pressure and consistent hot water. I wished that the showers could have been a bit more functional though, as there was no separate area or hooks to hang your clean clothing while you shower, so I just hung them over the top of the shower stall door. There were also no little shelves inside the shower to put my toiletries (shampoo, razor, conditioner), so I placed them on the ground.

Breakfast, Kitchen and Bar

This hostel offers fantastic breakfasts and they are included in the price of your room and you can choose from a variety of different meals on their menu. Each meal also comes with either a coffee or the fresh juice of the day. Some of the options for breakfast were two slightly different traditional Guatemalan “desayunos” (which included plantains, eggs, black beans, warm and fresh corn tortillas, and delicious white cheese), a bowl of yogurt, fresh fruit and granola, pancakes, cold cereal and a few other choices. I ordered the Guatemalan breakfasts, which were so tasty and satisfying! Everything was made fresh to order by a few local women who worked out of the hostel’s kitchen. The breakfast starts at 7:30 am (and is available until 10:30 am) and you have to wait until exactly that time to place your order, so there was always a line-up of people waiting to order when I was there. Because everything is homemade, it can take a little while before you actually get your breakfast and one morning, I waited about half an hour. But it was well worth the wait!

You can also order a variety of fresh fruit smoothies, healthy juices, coffee and tea from the hostel’s bar, as well as alcoholic drinks. The smoothies were reasonably priced and I had one with blueberries and blackberries which tasted delicious.

The hostel had a small kitchen at the back of the building where there was a fridge to store any food that you have, a stove for cooking your own meals, utensils and other cookware. I didn’t use it for anything except storing my food.

Internet & Wi-Fi

El Hostal has free Wi-Fi throughout the building. The connection was fast and strong everywhere, including inside the dorms and common areas. I never had any problems with the internet in browsing social media, sending emails and text messages, and making Skype phone calls to my family in Canada. The Wi-Fi was a bit spotty at times though and lost some of its strength if you were in the hallway area between the washrooms and the kitchen, at the back of the hostel.

Staff

Upon my late-night arrival after a long day of flights and airports, I was dropped off at the door of the hostel by my private driver and was greeted warmly by the young and friendly staff member working at the front desk and I immediately felt welcomed.

The staff at El Hostal were very friendly and helpful. Throughout my stay, there were always staff present and available to answer questions or help out with transportation and recommendations for things to do (I booked my shuttle to Panajachel right from the hostel’s front desk within minutes). Most of the staff were locals from Guatemala and although they spoke very limited English, they always had a smile on their faces and were so cheerful, kind, and ready to offer their assistance. There was one female staff member working behind the bar who wasn’t from Guatemala and spoke excellent English, which is helpful for those who don’t know much Spanish. I was able to communicate pretty good though even with my basic Spanish vocabulary. In addition to the staff who worked at the bar and front desk, there were also a couple of hard-working and kind local women who were always making sure the hostel was super clean.

Safety & Security

As a solo female traveler in Antigua, I felt very safe while staying at El Hostal and walking in the surrounding area. The hostel had a solid wood door which was locked during the night and then another iron gate once you were in the lobby area before entering the actual hostel (you can just knock on the door if you need to get in and the staff will unlock it). This gate was locked most of the time, even during the day, and the staff have to open it when you want to come and go, as a key is not provided to guests. There was also a staff member at the desk 24 hours a day. There were individual lockers underneath the bunk beds in the dorms made out of metal and more lockers in the hallway where you could lock up your personal belongings and valuables (make sure to bring a lock as they don’t provide them). All of these security measures helped me to feel very comfortable and safe at the hostel.

The street that it was situated on was very quiet most of the time with not a lot of traffic. I walked to and from the hostel and throughout the entire city both in the daytime and after dark in the evening alone and didn’t feel unsafe or uncomfortable at all. But that is just my experience and it could be different for everyone. Antigua does have its problems and crimes of opportunity like petty theft and robberies are common, so just be aware of that. If you don’t feel comfortable walking back after dark, there are taxis and tuk tuks (small three-wheeled vehicles) everywhere and they are easy to find.

Overall

I had a wonderful four night stay at El Hostal and would definitely recommend anyone traveling to Antigua to stay here.

This hostel is perfect for those seeking a comfortable, charming, clean and relaxed hostel with a laid-back, welcoming and friendly social atmosphere while staying in the beautiful colonial city of Antigua.

I definitely plan to stay here again during my future travels to Guatemala!

Practical Details

Location – 1a Avenida Sur #8 between 5a Calle Oriente and 6a Calle Oriente, Antigua, Guatemala.

Phone Number – +1-502-7832-0442

Email – elhostal.antigua@gmail.com

Rates – Approx. $16.50 CAD per night for the 10-bed and 7-bed dorms and $21 CAD for the 6-bed dorm. A standard private room with double bed costs around $50 CAD per night.

Other Things To Note – They accept credit cards as payment through a phone app which emails you a receipt, so you don’t need to have local cash on hand!

Like them on Facebook and check out their official website for more information!

Ready to Book Your Stay?

You can book your stay at El Hostal using the popular hostel booking website, Hostelworld. I book the majority of my hostel stays using Hostelworld and they have the largest inventory of hostels around the world. I would highly recommend it!

Make sure to check out past travelers’ reviews on TripAdvisor before you book as well (although they are overwhelmingly positive and the hostel maintains a 4.5 out of 5 star rating), to make sure the hostel sounds like a good fit for you and your travel style!

Disclaimer – I will receive a small commission from Hostelworld if you book your stay using my link. This is at no extra cost to you. I always book my hostels through Hostelworld when the option as available for my own travel adventures and I would never recommend anything that I don’t personally use and already love. Thanks in advance for your support!

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Have you traveled to Antigua, Guatemala or stayed at this hostel? What were your experiences like?

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Thanks for reading!