If you are planning a trip to Antigua and are wondering whether visiting Hobbitenango is worth it, let me spoil you and tell you from the beginning that visiting Hobbitenango is worth it!
Read this full guide to discover everything you need to know to spend the most magical day in an eco-park inspired by one of the most famous books in history: The Lord of the Rings.
What is Hobbitenango?
Hobbitenango is an eco-park inspired by The Lord of the Rings. The village called ‘Hobbiton’ is the place where the fictional characters, the Hobbits, live in the famous books and movies.
In 2015, the eco-park was founded with the idea of disconnecting from city life and reconnecting with nature. The aesthetics of the place are clearly marked by Hobbiton and The Lord of the Rings.
In Hobbitenango you’ll find small hobbit houses, impressive views of the surrounding volcanoes, trailing paths, delicious food, dozens of activities, and you might even meet Gandalf.
It’s the ideal place to visit on a day trip from Antigua or even spend the night in one of the 3 hotel houses that the park hosts.
If you want to read more about the best activities in Antigua, read this article!
Where is Hobbitenango Located?
Hobbitenango is located in an area called Vuelta Grande, just 20 minutes by car from Antigua, Guatemala. This eco-park stands on the top of one of the many mountains that surround the city.
How to Get to Hobbitenango from Antigua?
There are 3 ways to arrive in Hobbitenango from Antigua:
- Uber/Taxi
The easiest way to get from Antigua to Hobbitenango is by Uber or taxi. The ride is around 30 minutes long and you can easily take a taxi or call an Uber from the main plaza in Antigua.
I strongly recommend taking a taxi and this is why: it’ll be extremely hard to call an Uber from Hobbitenango back to Antigua. If you go there by taxi, you can arrange with the driver to be picked up at a certain time. You can even ask for his WhatsApp number to text him when you want to be picked up. Just make sure to ask for the price of the ride in advance.
If you decide to take an Uber, keep in mind that most drivers will ask for a higher price than the one the app shows. This is because the road to Hobbitenango is not in the best condition and it takes them longer to arrive than it should. Also, try not to stay until very late in the afternoon, as it’ll be harder to find a driver.
Cost for a one-way ride: around 100 quetzales ($12) – applies both for Uber and taxi.
- Hobbitenango Shuttle
The park offers a daily shuttle from their office in Antigua to the park. If you want to get more information or book the shuttle, you should contact the Hobbitenango office at this number: 3090-8812. The drive is around half an hour long.
Usually, the shuttle departs every 2 hours, with the first shuttle departing at 9 AM. Anyhow, make sure to check with the Hobbitenango staff in advance, since their shuttle schedule is not fixed.
Cost for the round trip: 47 quetzales (around $6)
- Private Car
If you have your own car, you can easily drive all the way to Hobbitenango from Antigua. The road is 9.4 km (almost 6 miles) and the drive is 30 minutes long.
Once you get there, there are 2 options:
-You can park at the parking lot and take a shuttle to the park (the shuttle is included in the entrance fee). Parking there is free, but spots are limited. If everything is full, you can park at other parking lots nearby for between 15-20 quetzales ($2.5) for the day.
-If you have a 4 X 4 vehicle you can drive all the way up to the park entrance. Don’t attempt to reach the main entrance with a regular car, as the road is very steep.
The Best Time of the Year to Visit Hobbitenango
Since most of the activities in Hobbitenango take place outside, it’s advisable to visit the park on a clear day. That’s why the best time to visit Hobbitenango is during the dry season (from November to May).
Anyhow, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy Hobbitenango during the rainy season. From June to October, it’s not uncommon to have sunny mornings and experience some rain in the afternoon. So, even during the rainy season, visiting Hobbitenango is absolutely worth it!
Just make sure to arrive as early in the morning as possible to beat the clouds and enjoy the impressive views of the surrounding volcanoes.
Another factor to take into account are the crowds. On weekends and public holidays, there are more tourists visiting Hobbitenango, so it might be more overwhelming than visiting the park during a weekday. But it’s also worth mentioning that some activities in Hobbitenango only take place on weekends and holidays.
Activities in Hobbitenango you’ll only find on weekends:
- All-you-can-eat buffet
- Artisan market
- Live music
- Mini-golf tournaments
If you are planning to visit Hobbitenango, you’ll have to decide whether you’d rather go on a weekend and enjoy more activities, or go on a weekend and avoid the crowds.
Entry Fee to Hobbitenango and Opening Hours
Entrance fee:
-50 quetzales ($6.5) for adults
-30 quetzales ($4) for kids (4-10 years old)
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 8 AM to 6 PM
Saturday to Sunday 8 AM to 8 PM
What’s included with the Hobbitenango entrance fee?
- Transportation from the parking lot to the Hobbitenango gate
- Unlimited games
- Unlimited jumps on the giant swing
- Green areas
- More than 10 viewpoints
- Trails in the Forest
Activities in Hobbitenango
Hobbitenango is full of activities for all ages and interests.
- The Hand
Probably one of the most instagrammable places in all of Guatemala, the hand is a stone structure that hangs out of the mountain. It’s the perfect spot to take some unique pictures with the views of the volcanoes on the back.
As this is the most famous attraction in the whole park, be ready to make a line to step on it. A member of the staff is always there to take pictures of you if you need it; all you have to do is leave them a tip.
- The Giant Swing
One of the most exciting activities in Hobbitenango is their giant tree swing, located at 2500 meters high. Making the line is well worth it if you are an adventure seeker, as you’ll experience a huge rush of adrenaline while you are using it.
On top of that, the views of the surrounding landscape are out of this world.
- Axe Throwing and Archery
These might not be two common activities nowadays, but that’s what it’s all about: traveling to Middle-Earth and feeling like you are in one of Tolkien’s books.
Moreover, the experience is hilarious and you won’t find many places where you can practice these activities. So give them a chance!
- Mini Golf
One of the most entertaining things to do in Hobbitenango is play mini golf. This activity is great if you want to have fun with your group.
The course is made up of 7 holes and you’ll find many fun obstacles along the way. The price for renting a golf club is around $3.
- The Nest
The Nest (El Nido) is a circular structure that stands out of the mountain and provides amazing views of the landscape. It can be booked for 2 hours, and it can fit up to 12 people.
The price is $50 per person, of which $25 can be spent on food and drinks.
Some experiences at The Nest in Hobbitenango: (for 2 people, 2 hours)
Breakfast: 700 Q (90 dollars)
Lunch: 780 Q (100 dollars)
Sunset: 780 Q (100 dollars)
- Viewpoints
It doesn’t matter where you are, the views can’t get better than in Hobbitenango. There are many viewpoints spread all along the eco-park, but the reality is that you don’t actually need to go there to get picture-perfect views of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes.
Where to eat in Hobbitenango
Another reason why visiting Hobbitenango is worth it is the delicious local food!
Hobbitenango has 2 restaurants that offer delicious food. From breakfast to snacks and lunch, there’s something for all tastes.
On the regular menu you’ll find pizzas, burritos, beef, hamburgers, soaps. I tried the cheese fondue and it was to die for!
If you visit Hobbitenango on the weekend or a public holiday, you’ll have the chance to try the all-you-can-eat buffet. This includes a variety of typical dishes, meat, fruits, local bread and fresh drinks. The Hobbitenango buffet is served at the main restaurant.
Hobbitenango Buffet Prices and Opening Hours
| Breakfast | Lunch |
| Adults: 149 Q ($19) | Adults: 184 Q ($23.5) |
| Kids: 69 Q ($9) | Kids: 79 Q ($10) |
| From 8 AM to 12 PM | From 12:30 PM to 5 PM |
Is it Possible to Sleep in Hobbitenango?
Yes! It is possible to sleep in Hobbitenango. The park hosts a hotel made up of 3 hobbit houses (or ‘smial’, in The Lord of the Rings’ slang).
| Available houses: 3 |
| Guests: the houses can accommodate 2, 4 or 6 people |
| Price range: 115-155 per night |
| Breakfast is included |
It’s worth mentioning that the price of the stay already included the entrance fee and round-trip transportation from the parking lot.
If you would like to take a look at the hotel and make a reservation, you can easily do so at the Hobbitenango official website.
Visiting Hobbitenango and spending the night in a Hobbit house is absolutely worth it. This is definitely a unique experience that would add a special twist to any Guatemala trip!
Tips for Visiting Hobbitenango
- Bring cash
Cards are accepted in Hobbitenango; anyhow, if you’re getting to the park by car you might need cash to pay for a third-party parking space if all of Hobbitenango’s parking spots are taken.
Also, if you are going back to Antigua by taxi (which I recommend), you’ll also need cash.
- Have a plan in advance to go back to Antigua
Hobbitenango is located in the middle of the mountain and finding an Uber/taxi up there might be a challenge. Most drivers won’t get close to Hobbitenango unless they are dropping someone off, and even trying to call an Uber through the app will prove useless.
That’s why I strongly recommend arranging your transportation back to Antigua in advance. If you arrive in Hobbitenango by taxi, the best advice I can give you is to ask the driver to pick you up at a certain hour and get their WhatsApp number to be in touch just in case.
- Don’t stay until very late in the afternoon unless you have your own car
Similar to the previous bullet point, the later it gets, the harder it will be to find an Uber or taxi. That’s why it’s not a good idea to stay until the park closes, unless you’ve already arranged your transportation back to Antigua.
- Bring warm clothes
Even if it’s sunny and warm in Antigua, don’t forget that Hobbitenango is located at 2500 meters above see level. This means that temperatures are lower than in the city; and especially in the afternoon, when the sun hides behind the mountains.
- Visit on a sunny day
There’s no way to be 100% sure about what the weather is going to be like in that area of Guatemala, but checking the forecast is key, as one of the main reasons to visit Hobbitenango is the amazing views.
Even though you can totally enjoy Hobbitenango on a cloudy day, a clear sky will give you a better panoramic view of the landscape and the impressive volcanoes.
Conclusion
If you are wondering whether visiting Hobbitenango is worth it, the answer is yes! Hobbitenango is totally worth visiting if you are spending a few days in Antigua. It’s an ideal day trip where you’ll enjoy some of the best views of the volcanoes, there are many fun activities for all ages and the food is amazing.
If you are looking for a unique experience to make your Guatemala trip even more special, don’t miss Hobbitenango and everything it has to offer!
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