Hotels in Guatemala

Hotels in Guatemala: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Guatemala cost?

The price depends on the standard, the city and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest month is usually October, while April at the peak of the dry season is the priciest. Booking ahead usually brings better rates.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Guatemala: most popular cities

Travellers mostly move between colonial Antigua, Lake Atitlan and the Tikal ruins. These are the destinations they choose most often:

• Antigua. A colonial town at the foot of volcanoes, cobbled streets and the most boutique hotels. The most popular tourist base in the country.
• Guatemala City. The capital and transport hub by the main airport. The most chain hotels and a base for business travel.
• Panajachel. The main town on Lake Atitlan, ringed by volcanoes. A starting point for the surrounding villages.
• Flores. An island on a lake and the gateway to the Tikal ruins in the Peten jungle. Atmospheric hotels and hostels.
• San Pedro La Laguna. A village on Lake Atitlan popular with backpackers, with cheap stays.

Nightly rates vary between cities. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Guatemala

The country combines Mayan sites, volcanoes and lakes, so a plan is easy to build around a few spots.

• The Tikal ruins. An ancient Mayan city in the Peten jungle, with pyramids, palaces and squares dating back BC.
• Lake Atitlan. The deepest lake in Central America, ringed by volcanoes and Mayan villages.
• Semuc Champey. Limestone terraces with natural pools over the Cahabon river, and nearby water caves.
• Chichicastenango market. One of the largest in the region, on Thursdays and Sundays, with Mayan crafts.
• Pacaya hot springs. Thermal pools by an active volcano, perfect after a hike.

How much does a trip to Guatemala cost

Beyond the room, daily costs are low. A meal at a cheap eatery is the equivalent of about five dollars, and a finer restaurant about twenty-five. In larger cities hotels and restaurants take cards, while cash is handy in smaller towns where ATMs can be few. It is worth withdrawing quetzals before heading out of the city.

When is the best time to visit Guatemala

The climate is warm all year, but the best conditions come in the dry season from November to April. April is the peak season and the priciest, while October tends to be the cheapest month. The rainy season from May to October is cheaper, though afternoons see more rain.

Getting to and around Guatemala

Most international flights land at La Aurora airport in Guatemala City. Overland, you can arrive from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Belize, and buses run from neighbouring capitals. Within the country, the cheapest and most authentic transport is the converted American school buses known as chicken buses. The capital has a green Transmetro bus system. Domestic flights link Guatemala City with Flores near the Tikal ruins.

Example hotels in Guatemala

A few recognisable properties from different cities for reference:

• Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo and Camino Real Antigua in Antigua (upper tier, from approx. GTQ 1,350).
• Barceló Guatemala City and Hilton Garden Inn in the capital (from approx. GTQ 850).
• Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel and Hotel Del Patio in Flores (close to Tikal, from approx. GTQ 580).