Guatemala Guide
The western highlands
Accommodation
1 Black Cat Hostel 13 Av 3–33 
7761 2091 
www.blackcathostels.net Welcoming hostel that occupies a historic building with many nice features including a very hip lounge bar and central patio. The six-bed dorm is comfortable and there are private rooms with futon-style beds; the one with a private bathroom is overpriced. Rates include breakfast. Price: hostel $7Price: hotel $13-20
2 Casa Argentina 12 Diagonal 8–37 7761 2470 First choice for young travellers for over a decade, but now faces increasing competition. Run by the friendly Morales family, with dozens of smallish, good-value rooms (most with TV and a few with bathroom), a huge dorm, kitchen, sun terrace and a café. It's a 10min walk from the plaza, and also the home of the tour group Quetzaltrekkers. Price: hostel $3Price: hotel $8-12
3 Casa Mañen 9 Av 4–11 7765 0786 www.comeseeit.com Xela's best upmarket place to stay is this Texan-owned B&B. Spacious, spotless rooms are decorated with local textiles, numbers 8 and 9 have fireplaces, and the two huge suites offer sofas and fridges. There's also a wonderful rooftop terrace and a large complimentary breakfast. Price: $41–80
4 Hotel Casa Florencia 12 Av 3–61 7761 2811 www.hotelcasaflorencia.com Has a very central location just off the plaza, with nine fairly comfortable if old-fashioned rooms with flowery bedspreads and fitted carpets – but no outside windows. Price: $21-30
5 Hostal Don Diego 6 C 15–12 5482 4294 
hostaldondiego@gmail.com A secure, well-run budget place with plenty of simple, clean rooms (though few with private bathroom) and two five-bed dorms. There's a kitchen and a nice outdoor patio. Offers discounted weekly and monthly rates. Price: $6Price: $13-20
6 Hotel Modelo 14 Av A 2–31 7761 2529 hotelmodelo1892@yahoo.es A classy, historic hotel with a wonderful dining room, stately reception area, wi-fi and plenty of character. The rooms are spacious if a little creaky, all have private bathrooms and TV, many face a small garden courtyard (note that streetside rooms can be noisy on weekend nights). The annexe is a slightly cheaper, similar alternative. Breakfast included. Price: $21–40
7 Hotel Villa Real Plaza 4 C 12–22 7761 4045 villareal@xelaenlinea.com Comfortable-enough hotel with 54 rooms, located across the plaza from the Bonifaz, to which it is a modern(ish) rival – the decor and ambience are a little soulless, however. Price: $41-60
8 Hotel Virginia 11 Av 8–11 7761 7355 Good-value hotel with twenty carpeted rooms with nice wooden beds and decent mattresses, desks and cable TV. There's a roof terrace with tables, chairs and parasols. The design of the building – it's above a basement car park – is very weird. Price: $31-40
9 Pensión Altense 9 C 8–48 7761 2811 Old-fashioned place with fairly spacious, clean (if not "Swiss clean") rooms, most of which have a TV and private shower. Safe parking. Price: $8–20
10 Pensión Andina 8 Av 6–07 7761 4012 Excellent value, this hotel has neat, smallish but well-scrubbed rooms, all with private bathroom, set around a covered courtyard. Price: $8-12
11 Pensión Bonifaz northeast corner of the plaza 7761 2182 bonifaz@intel.net.gt Landmark hotel, founded in 1935 with an impressive facade and lobby area, but in some aspects the rooms (particularly the bathrooms) are a bit dated. Still retains an air of faded upper-class pomposity, however, and has a smart restaurant and small pool. Price: $61-80