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A charming coati stands in the lush greenery of Flores, Petén, Guatemala.

Central America

Backpacking Guatemala

Guatemala is a highlight of Central America for backpackers, with hostels in colonial Antigua and the villages around volcano-ringed Lake Atitlán.

Photo: Kevin Escobar Villeda / Pexels

Hostel destinations in Guatemala

A charming coati stands in the lush greenery of Flores, Petén, Guatemala.

Flores

A small lake island and the usual base for visiting TikalLush tropical landscape with river and forest in Lanqúin, Guatemala.

Lanquín (Semuc Champey)

Jungle base for the turquoise pools and caves of Semuc ChampeyBusy street scene featuring the iconic Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala.

Antigua Guatemala

Cobbled colonial streets, volcano views and the overnight Acatenango hikeAerial view of Lake Atitlán with Volcán San Pedro in the background on a clear day.

Lake Atitlán

A volcanic crater lake of distinct villages, linked by boat

Hostels and backpacking in Guatemala

Guatemala combines Maya culture, colonial architecture and volcanic scenery. Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage city surrounded by volcanoes, is a common first stop and a base for volcano hikes. Lake Atitlán, a few hours west, is ringed by villages, each with its own character, and Tikal's Maya ruins lie in the northern lowlands.

Hostels in Antigua range from lively places with bars to calm courtyard houses, and many arrange volcano treks and shuttles. Around Lake Atitlán, villages differ markedly: some are known for nightlife, others for yoga, meditation and quiet. Antigua is also a well-known place to study Spanish, so longer stays are common.