Where to Stay in Antigua (Best Places & Areas)

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

I spent 10 days in Antigua, Guatemala, and I wrote this guide to help you make the most of your trip, starting by picking the right area and accommodation.

Hands down, the best area to stay in Antigua is the historic center, but especially if you’re a first-time visitor. Antigua isn’t super large, so staying here ensures that you’re within easy walking distance of all the best things to do. I recommend Porta Hotel Antigua. This beautiful property is just a few blocks from the central park and you can enjoy luxurious amenities and volcano views.

Of course, there are a couple of other areas worth checking out. For example, Barrio de La Concepción is perfect if you want peace and quiet. It’s home to the unique and luxurious Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo. Meanwhile, the nearby village Santa Ana is good for longer stays.

Keep scrolling for my full breakdown of the best areas and hotels.

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 Location – Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo 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

Click here to see all top Antigua hotels or here for apartments.

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 is relatively small and kind of shaped like a square, with each street laid out in a grid. The geographic and cultural center of Antigua is Parque Central, or “Central Park.” From here, you should be within easy walking distance of most of the top restaurants, shops, and attractions.

Historic Center

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Overall: Porta Hotel Antigua • Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo Antigua • San Rafael Hotel • Casi Casa

Antigua’s historic center is the best place to stay overall. Whether you’re a backpacker or luxury traveler, you’ll find accommodation to suit your style. And if you’re a first-timer, this is really the only place you should consider staying.

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

Some of the best luxury hotels and boutique hotels are located in the historic center, like my #1 top hotel pick: Porta Hotel Antigua. It has an on-site restaurant, an outdoor pool, and clean, comfortable rooms. It’s just a few blocks from Parque Central, and it has volcano views!

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. All of the above-mentioned hotels are a bit boutique, but if you really want to lean into that boutique luxury feel, you’ll love the peaceful San Rafael Hotel.

Solo travelers and anyone who doesn’t mind a hostel atmosphere should look into Casi Casa. I stayed here all 10 days of my trip and had a fantastic experience. They have private and dorm-style rooms, and the property was cleaned daily. Not to mention the breakfast is delicious, the staff is friendly and helpful, there’s a pool onsite, and a terrace with volcano views.

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 that’s just a few blocks east of Parque Central. Travelers looking for a quieter stay 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 properties in all of Antigua. It’s luxurious with boutique decor and tons of local charm. You can enjoy a spa, outdoor pool, restaurant, bar, and more. Not to mention, the hotel is home to ruins and multiple small museums. It’s truly an experience.

There are a few other options in the neighborhood, though. Cacao Boutique Hotel is perfect if you want that boutique feel but a little more quaint. And Hotel Las Camelias Inn by AHS is good for those on a budget.

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 worth considering for longer-stays and traveling as a group. This small village is located along the southeastern corner of Antigua and offers a more local experience. 

Hotels are fewer here, but there are villa-style accommodations. Many 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 the historic center.

Villas de la Ermita is a lovely property with a few different villas to choose from. Each one is ideal for a group of 5-6 people. Highlights include spacious rooms and a stunning rooftop terrace and courtyard. Villas de la Ermita is just under a mile from the center of Antigua. 

If Villas de la Ermita is unavailable for your stay, you can’t go wrong with Villas Santa Ana-Ricardo or Villas Santa Ana.

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

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 and was comfortable even after long days of walking.

Read my Guatemala packing list for a full list of what to bring.

Most Hotels & Hostels Offer Filtered Drinking Water

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, making them a great option for solo travelers, friends, and couples who want the boutique hotel experience at very affordable prices.

Casi Casa (where I stayed), Ojala, and Maya Papaya are all beautiful and reasonably priced. At each of these hostels, private rooms and dorms are available, and breakfast is included.

👉 Looking for more budget travel tips? Sign up for our newsletter!

It’s Easy to Find a Boutique Hotel

You’re sure to find numerous boutique hotels when looking at accommodations in Antigua. Antigua 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 local hotels 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 local 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 beautiful again. 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

Which part of Antigua, Guatemala is best to stay?

The historic center is the best area to stay in Antigua, Guatemala. Some of the best hotels in Antigua, Guatemala are in the historic center, such as Porta Hotel Antigua and Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo Antigua. However, there are many accommodation options here and you can choose anything from a boutique hotel to a luxury hotel or even a hostel. 

Is Antigua, Guatemala worth it?

Visiting Antigua, Guatemala is absolutely worth it. Antigua is a beautiful, well-preserved colonial town surrounded by volcanoes. There are many fun things to do in Antigua and the people are super friendly. 

How many days should I spend in Antigua, Guatemala?

You should spend at least three days in Antigua, Guatemala, but you could easily stay for longer. The historic center is the best place to stay for most trips, but the nearby village of Santa Ana is great for longer, relaxed stays. 

Is Antigua, Guatemala expensive to visit?

Antigua, Guatemala is not a super expensive place to visit, but Antigua is a bit more expensive than other destinations in Central America. You’ll find stunning, pricier hotels like the boutique Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo and the stylish hotel, San Rafael Hotel. However, it is possible to stay in Antigua, Guatemala on a budget, as there are many nice hostels available. 

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

***

Choosing where you’re going to stay during your trip to Antigua 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 the town. Next up, read my list of the best things to do in Antigua!