Hobbitenango – Hobbits in Guatemala’s Middle Earth

Did you know there are hobbits in Guatemala?  Well, hobbit holes at least, in Hobbitenango.  Rather like Hobbiton in The Shire of New Zealand, Lord of the Rings fans can now visit Middle Earth in Guatemala.  Set high in the hills above Antigua, Hobbitenango is an eco-friendly Hobbit-themed hotel and restaurant with spectacular views of the volcanoes across the valley, so you can live out your hobbit fantasies in Guatemala. 

I love hunting out unique accommodations where I travel, from glamping in Bolivia to hammocks in Tikal, so I was thrilled when I got the chance to visit Hobbitenango, which was quite a difference from the usual hostels in Antigua!  If you are looking for unique things to do in Antigua, this Hobbit paradise is a fabulous idea for when you visit Guatemala.

Know Before You Go to Antigua Guatemala

Who Built Hobbitenango?

I didn’t meet any hobbits while I was there, but did meet Beto, one of the owners and creator of Hobbitenango.  Hobbitenango opened in 2015, with one solitary hobbit hole, and has since expanded to three hobbit houses where you can spend the night, two restaurants and lots of other cool things to see and do in the Hobbit village. 

The brainchild of Beto, who fell in love with The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings films, he finally found a business partner in Daniel, when everyone else said it was too remote, too difficult to access, and too difficult to build on the side of the mountain.

Getting all the materials to build up here wasn’t an easy task, and building on the side of a mountain brought a whole new set of challenges.  It takes over a year to prep and build a hobbit house here, Beto told me. 

The ground is dug from the mountainside & flattened at the beginning of rainy season, so when the rain comes and landslides inevitably destroy what was built, they reinforce it, strengthening the base and supports until it holds fast against the mountain.  Then the next year it is solid enough to build on.

Their perseverance paid off, and Hobbitenango is definitely one of the best things to do in Antigua, especially if you want some gorgeous Instagram photos.  While the Lord of the Rings wasn’t actually filmed in Guatemala, you can actually enjoy more here than you can at the real film set in New Zealand, including sleeping in a hobbit hole! 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Hiking a Live Volcano in Antigua Guatemala

How to Get to Hobbitenango

While Hobbitenango is only 20 minutes drive from Antigua, the last stretch of dirt road from the car park is only accessible with a 4×4, and the bricks that Beto & his team laid by hand are almost impassable in places.

The easiest way to get to Hobbitenango from Antigua is to use the transportation offered by Hobbitenango.  Their shuttle runs from the office in Antigua most days, although you will need to pre-book to make sure it is running and you can get a place.  The shuttle costs 45 Q per person for a return journey.

You could also get an Uber from Antigua Guatemala to the main car park and then hop in the 4×4 provided for the last stretch.  It might not be as easy to get an Uber back, but there are usually taxis available or you can call one when you’re ready to head back to Antigua.

TOP TIP FOR VISITING HOBBITENANGO: Check the weather forecast before you go.  If you can visit on a clear day you will have the beautiful views of the volcanoes, otherwise you might just get clouds!

Hobbitenango Entrance Fee

For day visitors to Hobbitenango the entrance fee is Q50 per adult and Q30 for kids between 4-10 years old.  Children 3 and under are free.

At the weekend and on holiday days there is an all-you-can-eat buffet which includes your entrance fee.  Buffet breakfast is served from 8am – 12pm and costs Q149 for adults and Q69 for kids, and lunch is from 12.30pm to 5pm and costs Q184 for adults and Q79 for kids.

Things to Do at Hobbitenango

Since I visited in 2017, Beto and his team have grown Hobbitenango into a fantastical Hobbit theme park, with over 26 areas and attractions to explore.    

If you aren’t able to stay overnight then there are public hobbit holes you can visit for photos.  There are also several viewpoints with incredible views over the valley towards the volcanoes – if the weather is clear.  The most famous of these is the giant hand which is a favourite on Instagram!

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Hobbitenango (@hobbitenango)

You can take part in archery to channel your inner elf, axe and machete throwing like a Guatemalan dwarf, a variety of fairground games, and a round of mini-golf as well as explore the walking trails around the park. 

There is also a giant swing (apparently the largest in Central America) which you can use as many times as you like, depending on the queue.  (NB there is a maximum weight limit of 200 lbs). 

Have a drink at the tavern, inspired by the Green Dragon pub from the Shire, or dine in the restaurant for a tasty meal of Hobbit-themed dishes like the amazing Troll Burger or Dragon’s Tail baked zucchini as well as staples like pizza and grilled chicken.

The highlight for me though was spending the night at the Hobbit Hotel and having some time to explore the Shire once the day visitors had left.

Spending the Night in a Hobbit House

I was invited to spend the night at Hobbitenango (meaning “Town of the Hobbits” in the local language).  I stayed in the Casita del Nido – the little nest house, one of three hobbit holes currently at the site. 

The hobbit holes are built into the mountainside, with grass part covering the rooves.  Large windows open onto what I supposed was a magnificent view, but invisible beneath the clouds when I arrived. 

The fireplace provides much-needed warmth on cold nights, and there was a sofa (or possibly kids bed) in the corner, and bean bags around a glass-topped table made from an old log was set beneath the windows.  Fresh flowers were on the two nightstands and table. 

The bed was made from wooden trunks, and blankets & brightly coloured cushions added a homely hobbit feel.

Hobbitenango was rustic but pretty, and supremely romantic – or would have been if I were with a partner I’m sure!  The bathroom was large, a little chilly though, and the wooden sideboard wasn’t particularly clean.  In the shower hung some herbs to keep it smelling fresh, and I wondered how the water heater worked.  That would have to wait till the morning though!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: What to do in Antigua Guatemala

The menu was sitting on the table, a huge wooden book, and when I was looking at what to have for dinner I felt I was opening a page of an ancient fairy tale, which was a nice touch.  Outside, a well-tended garden and some chairs completed my hobbit home for the night. 

Before I went to the restaurant, there was a knock at the door.  I half expected Frodo himself, but it was one of the staff who had come to light the fire in my room.  I watched as he hacked pieces of kindling off the logs with a machete, and deftly lit the fire.  No bottles of kerosene here, although he did use matches instead of a piece of flint.  Well, you can’t expect miracles! 

When he had finished, the logs crackled and I couldn’t wait to eat & return to my cosy bed!

I wandered down to the restaurant and was thrilled to see that the clouds had lifted to reveal those spectacular views of the volcanoes.  I explored some of the grounds at Hobbitenango in the fading light, all the while admiring the view, then went for dinner.

The restaurant at Hobbitenango was excellent, I ordered the Troll burger which I had read good reviews about, and I wasn’t disappointed.  The chips (fries for you Americans) were like chippy chips, but sprinkled with a tasty herb – perhaps sage?  And the burger was tasty & oozing with cheese and bacon. 

I also tried one of their house cocktails – the Wizard’s Apple – which was rather sweet but perfect for me.  And to top it off I ordered a hot chocolate to take back to my room and drink by the fire.  It was only 8pm but I couldn’t wait to snuggle down in that bed, so sat in bed reading my book & drinking hot chocolate.  It was heavenly.

There is no wifi here, of course, Hobbitenango is off the grid, and all electricity comes from the solar panels or the windmill on the roof of the restaurant.  Water is filtered from the rain, and Beto has just dug channels which will create a pond for fish.  The motto of Hobbitenango is “disconnect to reconnect”, and without faffing around on the internet I had time to savour my hot chocolate and listen to the crackling of the fire.

I slept well and woke up to this view.  It was still early, in rainy season the sky is often clear for sunrise, then the clouds roll in.  I got up and explored more of Hobbitenango, walking along the path to what will be more social areas, around the axe throwing and archery enclosure.  Beto even has plans for a grand fete, and contests to see which hobbit is brave enough to hike to Fuego Volcano and cast a ring into its fiery depths.

You can order breakfast in bed, but I decided to sit out on the terrace, made from the bow of an old boat, and enjoy the view.  Further up the hill, Beto is building more hobbit houses for day visitors; understandably people are curious to peek inside the hobbit holes, so without disturbing overnight guests, others can get a flavour of Middle Earth without spending the night.

What I loved about Hobbitenango

The houses are so cute!  Plenty of opportunities for photos both inside and out, and I felt adequately hobbit-like as I stooped through the round yellow door.

The fire in my room.  This was a lovely surprise, and kept me cosy well into the night.

The view.  Waking up to one of the best views I’ve ever had (next to camping on the Inca trail), these volcanoes are hard to beat.

The food was delicious and well presented, and the staff were all friendly and kind, making sure I was well looked after from beginning to end.

Beto’s passion for his Hobbitenango project.  After speaking to him for 5 minutes it was obvious this was a labour of love, and he was so excited about his upcoming plans.  I liked Beto instantly, when I went to find him he was flying his new drone around – this was the first time in a long while we’ve had an evening like this, he explained.  The clouds parted, and what was dismal grey when I’d arrived became beautiful dusky blue.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I adored my stay at Hobbitenango.  It isn’t for those seeking pure luxury, but the view over the volcanoes will make you forget all your troubles.  Remember too, that having a hobbit hole built into the mountainside means you are surrounded by nature, so spiders, beetles and even an occasional scorpion may wander into your room.  Don’t fret about not having wifi, just bring a book, settle down by the fire and relax.

To make a reservation, visit Hobbitenango’s website, which has details of the menu, accommodation availability, and camping spots if you have your own tent.

I was a guest of Hobbitenango, and enjoyed a complimentary dinner and night in the hobbit hole.  As always, this did not influence my review and all views are my own.

Would you like to stay in a hobbit hole at Hobbitenango in Antigua Guatemala?  I’d love to hear your views, please comment below.

Looking for more things to do in Antigua Guatemala?  Read my guide to Antigua, or check out these tours and activities:

Like this post?  Pin it to read later: