Where to Stay in Antigua (Best Places & Areas in 2023)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Antigua | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ

I’m a travel expert who recently spent 10 days in Antigua and in this guide, I’ll help you decide where to stay in Antigua, Guatemala. 

I cover several area’s best accommodations, from beautifully decorated boutique hotels to affordable hostels. Nearby attractions and eateries are also listed, as are each area’s pros and cons. I’ve also thrown in some helpful tips to help you enjoy all the wonderful things to do in Antigua without missing a beat. 

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Best Places to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala

Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Antigua? Here are my top picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Porta Hotel Antigua
• ✨ Best Luxury Hotel – Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo
• 👪 Best for Families – Hotel Aurora
• 👔 Best for Business – Camino Real Antigua
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – San Rafael Hotel
• 🏛️ Best Near Santa Catalina Arch – Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo Antigua
• 🎒 Best for Backpackers – Casi Casa
• 💵 Best Budget – Maison Bougainvillea

Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Antigua: 

3 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala

The town of Antigua, Guatemala is relatively small and kind of shaped like a square, with each street laid out in a grid. The center of Antigua is the geographic center, and surrounds Parque Central, or “Central Park.” You should be within easy walking distance of all the top restaurants, shops, and attractions in Antigua in two out of the three neighborhoods I cover.

Historic Center

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Historic Center Hotels: Porta Hotel Antigua • Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo Antigua • San Rafael Hotel

Consider the main historic center if you’re wondering where to stay in Antigua, Guatemala. The historic center is a great choice for all travelers, especially first-time visitors. 

The entire historic center is walkable. You should have an easy time getting around as long as you’re within 5 blocks of Parque Central. Most of your tourist activities and places are within reach here, except for a few Antigua activities like visiting coffee farms and Hobbitenango. 

Some of the best luxury hotels and boutique hotels are located in the historic center, like Porta Hotel Antigua. It has an on-site restaurant, an outdoor pool, and clean, comfortable rooms. Porta Hotel is an overall wonderful hotel and a top choice for a comfortable and relaxing stay. 

Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo Antigua is another great choice if you want to be in the real heart of Antigua and right by the Santa Catalina Arch. 

Pros of Staying in Historic Center Neighborhood:

• Central location
• Walking distance to shops and restaurants
• Many accommodation options
• Close to attractions
• Beautiful area 

Cons of Staying in Historic Center Neighborhood:

• Accommodations can be more expensive 
• Cobbled streets are a bit rough
• Can be a bit noisy 

Barrio de La Concepción

👉 Best Area For Peace & Quiet | ✨ Best Barrio de La Concepción Hotels: Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo • Cacao Boutique Hotel • Hotel Las Camelias Inn by AHS

Barrio de La Concepción is a small area of Antigua, Guatemala that’s just a few blocks east of Parque Central. Travelers looking for a quieter stay in Antigua while still being close to everything will love this neighborhood. I especially recommend it for couples and those interested in getting a little off the beaten path but without losing convenience.  

Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo is the main hotel in Barrio de La Concepción, and it’s one of the best hotels in all of Antigua. Hotel Casa Santo Domingo is a luxury, boutique hotel with ruins and multiple small museums. It also has a spa and outdoor pool. Overall, Hotel Casa Santo Domingo is one of the best places to stay in Antigua, Guatemala. 

Pros of Staying in Barrio de La Concepción Neighborhood:

• Central location
• Walking distance to shops and restaurants
• Quieter atmosphere
• Good hotel options 

Cons of Staying in Barrio de La Concepción Neighborhood:

• Farther walk from the center
• Cobbled streets are a bit rough

Santa Ana

👉 Best Area For Groups & Longer Stays | ✨ Best Santa Ana Hotels: Villas Santa Ana-Ricardo • Villas de la Ermita • Villas Santa Ana

Santa Ana is a top choice for longer-stay travelers and groups choosing where to stay in Antigua, Guatemala. Santa Ana is a small village that’s located along the southeastern corner of Antigua and it offers a more local community experience. 

Hotels are fewer here, but there are a few villa-style accommodations. They feature beautiful colonial-style decor, private rooms, terraces, and lots of privacy and space. Prices are affordable for the amount of space you get since Santa Ana is just outside Antigua.

Villas de la Ermita is a great choice in Santa Ana, and there are a few different villas to choose from. Each one is ideal for a group of 5-6 people. Highlights of Villas de la Ermita include spacious rooms and a stunning rooftop terrace and courtyard. Villas de la Ermita is just under a mile from the center of Antigua. 

Pros of Staying in Santa Ana Neighborhood:

• More local experience and neighborhood
• Less touristy 
• More garden and courtyard space at accommodations
• Quieter atmosphere

Cons of Staying in Santa Ana Neighborhood:

• More limited hotel options
• Farther from center
• Less dining options

Tips for Staying in Antigua, Guatemala

Wear Good Shoes

Antigua’s streets are cobblestone and the roads can be bumpy or broken in some places. Protect yourself by wearing comfortable shoes with good grip. Outdoor/hiking-type shoes are honestly the way to go. I wore my hiking boots most of the time.

Know That Most Hotels & Hostels Offer Filtered Drinking Water

Unfortunately, tap water in Guatemala is not safe to drink. You can purchase and stick to bottled water if you want to be extra cautious, but know that most accommodations offer filtered drinking water. I drank the filtered drinking water at my hostel and never had a problem. Just bring a reusable water bottle with you, and you should be good to go. 

Consider Staying in a Hostel

Staying in a hostel is a simple way to save money and meet other travelers. Some of the hostels in Antigua are extremely nice. It’s a great option for solo travelers, friends, and couples who want the boutique hotel experience at very affordable prices. 

Casi Casa (I stayed here), Ojala, and Maya Papaya are all beautiful and reasonably priced. Private rooms and dorms are available and there’s free breakfast served.

It’s Easy to Find a Boutique Hotel

You’re sure to find numerous boutique hotel options when looking for where to stay in Antigua. Antigua, Guatemala is a UNESCO World Heritage Site so many of the historic buildings are beautifully decorated and have features like white-washed walls and tiled floors. Many hotels in Antigua, Guatemala also have a rooftop terrace or outdoor terrace with panoramic views. 

You Can Uber

Uber is pretty widely available in Antigua, and it’s pretty cheap. I recommend using Uber if you’re headed outside of town to places like Finca La Azotea. Otherwise, taking tuk-tuks is the way to go. 

Pack Light

Be sure to pack light and leave a little extra room in your travel backpack or carry-on suitcase if you’re a big shopper. The textiles and local goods from Antigua’s markets and street artisans are amazing. 

Carry Cash

Many places in Antigua accept cards. However, many places still operate cash-only. Paying with cash is sometimes easier because some places will have card fees. Plus, you’ll want to carry cash if you plan on purchasing any street food or items from street vendors. 

Wear Bug Spray

Guatemala is a tropical climate country. This means beautiful weather, but it also means there are bugs, especially mosquitoes. Pack some bug spray and anti-itch cream to be prepared. 

Pack an Umbrella if You Visit During the Rainy Season

It rains just about every afternoon for an hour or so during the rainy season. In my experience, it often clears up and the weather turns back to beautiful. Don’t let the rain ruin a good time in Antigua if you visit during the rainy season. Simply pack a compact umbrella, one of the greatest travel essentials.  

FAQs About Where to Stay in Antigua, Guatemala

👉 Traveling to Lake Atitlan? Read my review of La Casa del Mundo, one of the most unique places to stay near Lake Atitlan.

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Choosing where to stay in Antigua, Guatemala is all about narrowing down a few simple factors. The historic center is the most popular place to stay, but there are options for everyone throughout Antigua.