June 4th, 2025
“I’m nervous to stay in a hostel,” I admitted to a French girl I met while solo traveling through Italy in 2024.
At the time, I was jumping between boutique hotels and charming bed and breakfasts—choosing privacy and comfort over shared spaces and social dynamics.
She smiled knowingly and said, “If you really want to meet people when you travel, you’ve got to stay in hostels. And if you’re unsure about them, the best place to start is Guatemala.”
I haven’t stopped thinking about that conversation since.
Exactly one year later, I booked a flight to Guatemala with one goal in mind: to fully embrace the hostel experience. For 7 days, I stayed exclusively in hostels—no hotels, no private villas, just bunk beds, shared kitchens, and common rooms full of stories.
So, was it worth it? Did I find the connection I was craving? And what were the hostels really like?
Here’s my honest review of every hostel I stayed in—and what I wish I knew before booking each one..
My itinerary includes:
- 3 nights in Lake Atitlan: Hotel Amigos and Free Cerveza
- 1 night in Antigua: Casi Casa
- 1 night on Acatenango (overnight hiking tour)
- 1 night in Antigua: Maya Papaya
I’ll assess each hostel on four categories: location, accommodation, price, and social vibe, and then give a final rating out of 10.
1. Hotel Amigos: San Pedro La Laguna
First night nerves had me booking a private room at Hotel Amigos to ease into hostel life—and honestly, that shaped my whole experience here. Keep that in mind if you’re considering your own stay.
Location: This place nails convenience. Just a 3-minute stroll from the San Pedro dock, and bonus: if you’re lugging a suitcase, the dock steps have a rare built-in ramp. (Trust me, that’s a gem on Lake Atitlán.)
Accommodation: Don’t come expecting luxury. My room was basic—a bed, a tiny table, and a small bathroom. Earplugs come standard at check-in because the main street noise carries late into the night, and with zero soundproofing, you’ll hear it all. Luckily, I travel with noise-canceling headphones! The tradeoff? Stunning views from the open-air rooftop kitchen and hammocks just outside your door to relax and soak it all in.
Price: Wallet-friendly for sure. I paid $38 USD for my private room. Bunks start as low as $12 USD, and every stay includes a hearty, traditional Guatemalan breakfast.
Social Vibe: This was the biggest letdown for me. The staff were warm, but fellow guests kept to themselves—no eye contact, little chat. Being the only native English speaker probably didn’t help; Italian and Spanish ruled the social scene. If you’re craving quiet, this spot fits the bill.
Rating: 6/10 – points off for lack of social vibe, noise, and accommodation aesthetics
2. Free Cerveza: Santa Cruz la laguna
“It’s like adult summer camp,” I scribbled in my journal after two nights at Free Cerveza.
I met two British girls on the water taxi who were staying there, and when I arrived for happy hour later that evening, we instantly reconnected—just like summer camp, but with paddleboards and cocktails instead of mess halls and bug spray.
This was easily the liveliest hostel of my trip—packed with nightly family-style dinners, fun daily activities, and an atmosphere that made it easy to feel at home.
Location: Free Cerveza has it’s own dock. When you board the water taxi, just tell them “Free Cerveza” — not Santa Cruz, otherwise you’ll have to walk from the town.
Accommodation: This eco-style hostel is beautifully designed and clearly well cared for. Right on the water, it has a massive communal area with real vines and flowers hanging from the trellis ceiling. Dinner is served family-style under glowing fairy lights, and there’s a sunbathing deck, paddleboards free for guests, yoga sessions, and hammocks for lazy afternoons.
There are four types of stays here:
- Private bamboo casitas
- Private lake house
- Private glamping-style tent
- Shared tent (my pick)
I chose the shared tent—$20/night—for the budget experience. It’s basic: four floor mattresses under a tarp with a small trash can and no lockers. I kept my valuables with me at all times. It was pleasant during my visit (70s°F), but I’d definitely opt for a casita if I came during hotter months. No fans or A/C in any rooms, so keep that in mind.
They’re serious about quiet hours starting at 11 p.m.—which meant great sleep for me, but not so much for night owls hoping to keep the party going.
The compost toilets are eco-friendly but come with bugs, as expected. Showers were surprisingly clean, and I had warm water both nights.
Price:
- Shared tent: ~$20/night
- Private tents or casitas: ~$60/night
- Lake house: $60–$80/night
Not the cheapest hostel on the lake, but you definitely get what you pay for in terms of setting and experience. Prices for food and drinks are on the higher side, and many guests were caught off guard by the hefty bill at checkout—especially since it’s cash only.
Social Vibe: This is where Free Cerveza shines. It’s built for connection. From yoga to group hikes and paddleboarding at sunrise, the vibe is energetic and open. Everyone I met was friendly, and the activities made mingling feel natural. If you’re a solo traveler looking to make friends, this is the place.
Rating: 8.75/10 – 1.25 points off for the toilets, meal/drink prices, and lack of safe storage for valuables
3. Casi Casa: Antigua
“This view doesn’t even feel real,” I said to a solo traveler from Germany as we sat on the rooftop patio at Casi Casa, staring at the uninterrupted silhouette of Volcán de Acatenango glowing in the evening light.
This was easily the most beautiful hostel I stayed in during my trip. From the lush open-air courtyard filled with greenery and a bubbling fountain, to a tiny chapel-turned-bar, a plunge pool perfect for cooling down, and that spacious rooftop patio—it felt more like a boutique guesthouse than a hostel.
Location: Tucked away on a quiet street in the southern part of Antigua’s historic center, Casi Casa is ideal if you’re looking to unwind. It’s within a 15–20 minute walk to most major attractions, and nearly all shuttle services offer it as a pickup/drop-off location, which makes travel days hassle-free.
Accommodation and Price: Casi Casa easily had the comfiest beds of my entire hostel stay in Guatemala—thick mattresses, super clean linens, and cozy bunk setups. Accommodation options include:
- Private double room with queen bed (~$55-63/night)
- 4-bed mixed dorm (~$30/night)
- 8-bed female-only dorm (~$25/night)
- 14-bed mixed dorm (~$25/night)
I stayed in the female-only dorm, which was clean, quiet, and included an ensuite bathroom. Each bunk had a small shelf for personal items and a large locker underneath (bring your own lock!).
My only minor issue? Tiny bugs crawling around the bathroom mirror and counter in the morning, which meant I avoided placing anything there. Still, this is something you might encounter even in nice hotels, especially in tropical climates.
Breakfast is included with your stay—a traditional Guatemalan meal served fresh each morning. I didn’t get to try it, though, since I left early for my overnight volcano hike. Staff were kind, helpful, and available 24/7.
Social Vibe: Casi Casa leans more tranquil than social. Guests were polite and friendly, and I had a few light conversations, but this isn’t the place for late-night mingling. That said, if you’re looking for more action, the Hostelworld app group chats in Antigua are super active with bar crawls, group dinners, and hiking meetups across nearby hostels. Since I had an early start the next day, I chose to keep it low-key.
Rating: 9/10 – 1 point off for lack of social vibe or activities, but my personal favorite
4. Maya Papaya: Antigua
Getting sick in a hostel is not for the faint of heart—and unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to me when I arrived at Maya Papaya.
I had just returned from an overnight volcano hike, completely wiped out from a bout of food poisoning, and could barely function. Thankfully, the staff let me know as soon as my bed was ready so I could crash. That said, I wasn’t exactly in a position to enjoy much of what the hostel had to offer. Still, Maya Papaya—owned by the same team behind Casi Casa—is undeniably beautiful.
Location:
Maya Papaya is perfectly located in downtown Antigua—just a short walk to nearly everything you’ll want to see or do. Whether you’re heading to restaurants, cafes, or historical sites, it’s all within reach.
Accommodation:
Despite being sick, I couldn’t help but notice how well-designed this hostel is. The shared bathroom where I managed a shower before collapsing was the nicest I’d seen—bright with natural light, private stalls, and constantly being cleaned by staff. There are plenty of common areas to relax, a sunny courtyard, and even a small gym if you’re up for a workout.
I stayed in the 8-bed female-only dorm (identical layout to Casi Casa), but this room had poor airflow—I woke up several times drenched in sweat. To make matters worse, I got sick during the night and had an unfortunate top bunk incident. The staff weren’t thrilled (understandably), but they did their best to clean the space and change all my bedding.
My bunkmates were clearly not pleased either, but I was too weak to relocate, and the private rooms—based on the stunning photos—were fully booked. On the bright side, our dorm had a private ensuite bathroom with two stalls, each equipped with a pristine shower and toilet, which I became very familiar with.
Price:
- Private double room (queen bed): ~$55–63/night
- 4-bed mixed dorm: ~$30/night
- 8-bed female-only dorm: ~$25/night
- 14-bed mixed dorm: ~$25/night
One important note: I was charged an extra night’s stay due to the cleanup situation. I wasn’t thrilled, but given the overall affordability and the effort the staff put in, I chose not to dispute it.
Breakfast: Like Casi Casa, breakfast is included. I couldn’t eat much, but the staff kindly made me a custom fruit bowl with banana, watermelon, berries, chia seeds, and honey. It was a small gesture that meant a lot that morning
Social Vibe:
The social atmosphere here was quiet and mature. Guests were friendly but more reserved—many appeared to be remote workers or long-term travelers. If you’re looking for a relaxed, productive space in the heart of Antigua, Maya Papaya is a great pick.
Rating: 8.75/10 – 1.25 points off due to lack of social vibe or activities and lack of airflow in rooms.
Booking Hostels: What I Used & What I’d Do Differently
I booked all my hostels through the Hostelworld app, which made the process super convenient. I liked being able to compare hostels in one place, scroll through photos, and get a quick read on reviews.
That said, Hostelworld does charge a $5–$8 reservation fee per booking, which added up over time. Most hostels also require cash payment on arrival, or charge a fee for paying with a card—so the app prices sometimes didn’t match what I paid in person.
Looking back, I’m not sure I’d use the app to book next time. I’d still use it to research options and read reviews, but I’d likely book directly through the hostel to avoid extra fees and clarify payment methods upfront.
Want a complete itinerary covering transportation tips, must-do activities, the Acatenango hike and the best tour groups, plus packing advice? From Volcano Summits to Mayan Kitchens: My 7-Day Guatemala Journey.
Footprints of Faith 
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