The Best Bed and Breakfasts in Guatemala

The Kawilal Hotel in Amatitlán, 19mi (30km) southwest of Guatemala City, is a modernist’s dream. Designed to integrate with the natural vegetation, the hotel is hidden among the trees just off Lago de Amatitlán, a crater lake formed by the nearby volcanoes. Each of the 18 rooms has a balcony overlooking the forest. Take advantage of the hotel’s affiliation with the Santa Teresita complex, allowing you access to the renowned thermal baths.

With just four rooms, Casa Carmel is an authentic way to stay in Guatemala City’s historic center. It’s named after the hotel’s owners, Carlos and Melanie. This 1930s guesthouse also has a cozy living space, dining room and plant-filled patio for you to relax in. Casa Carmel is close to bus stops and metro stations as well as 6th Avenue, a popular shopping spot containing the subterranean Central Mercado market.

In Antigua’s old town, just a block away from the bus terminal, you’ll find this quaint inn. Each room is filled with colonial-style furniture and offers a view of Antigua and the surrounding mountains. Hotel Posada de La Luna serves up a typical Guatemalan breakfast every morning, complete with eggs, beans, fruit and fried plantain. Free parking is included too.

Grab a steaming Guatemalan hot chocolate on check-in at Cacao Boutique Hotel, a six-room B&B just a few blocks east of Antigua’s downtown. Pick the Stone Room for a statement rock-lined wall behind your bed, or opt for the Purple Room, complete with loft. Step outside and you’ll be right in front of the Santo Domingo Museum, a former convent built in the 17th century.

Hostal Villa Toscana is a bed and breakfast just a few minutes’ drive from the airport. It’s hidden on a gated street in a residential neighborhood. The guesthouse has a number of European-inspired touches, such as canopy beds, patio fountain and frescoed walls. No matter what time you touch down in Guatemala City, the staff will be more than happy to organize a shuttle from the airport and a hot meal for you.

Escape from the city to the shores of Lake Atitlán. It’s been called the most beautiful lake in the world for its awe-inspiring views, surrounded by mountains, volcanoes and rainforest. You’ll wake up to these sights each morning from the door of your yurt, one of eight available at Jenna’s River Bed and Breakfast. Don’t worry – each one is comfortably kitted out with a solid double bed and ensuite bathroom. The nearest town, Panajachel, is just a five-minute tuk-tuk ride away.

Why pick between mountains and the beach on your next vacation, when you can see both? Hostal Las Marias in Taxisco is the midpoint between two famous Guatemalan spots, Volcán Tecuamburro and the black-sand beaches of Monterrico. The 20-room hostel is a colonial-style building, complete with red-tiled floors, carved wood furniture and a long outdoor pool and jacuzzi.

Just across the street from Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport, this hotel is a convenient stopover. They even offer a free airport shuttle service. Grab a coffee or tea, served all day long, and head up to the plant-filled terrace where breakfast is served each morning. Just a few minutes’ drive away you’ll find Avenida Las Américas, a popular shopping and business district.

In the trendy Zona 14 neighborhood, La Casa Luxury Boutique Hotel is just two blocks from Guatemala City’s Las Américas. You’ll feel right at home here, as every suite is fully equipped with a kitchen, dining area and laundry room. A full breakfast is served each morning. Enjoy the buzz of the city and return to the tree-shielded La Casa and its lush green patio every night.