Discovering the Magic of Hobbitenango: A Guide to Guatemala's Hidden Gem

Nestled in the highlands of Guatemala lies a hidden gem that will transport you into a magical world straight out of a fairytale, called Hobbitenango. If you’re a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, you will love it here! This eco-lodge offers a unique experience unlike any other with its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Hobbitenango is a place where you can escape the hustle of daily life and immerse yourself in a fantasy world! From hobbit-inspired accommodations to delicious cuisine and adventurous activities, there is something to do for everyone, even if you aren’t a big fan of the trilogy. So, whether you’re a Tolkien fan or simply looking for a unique travel experience, this guide will take you through all the magic that Hobbitenango has to offer!

You might also like: Exploring Antigua: 5-day adventure through history and culture

For your information, all these pictures were taken in April 2023.

What is Hobbitenango?

Hobbitenango is a unique eco-lodge located in the highlands of Guatemala, close to Antigua. This place was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. It was created by a group of friends who wanted to offer a unique and sustainable travel experience to visitors. This eco-lodge is made out of sustainable materials and methods and is designed to blend in with the surroundings!

Since 2015, Hobbitenango has built several Hobbit-style homes and restaurants. It currently has over 26 areas and attractions where visitors can find their inner child again.

The area also has several hiking trails, which allow visitors to explore the natural beauty of the region. At the same time, you can enjoy the surrounding mountains and valleys!

How to get to Hobbitenango?

Hobbitenango is approximately half an hour away from Antigua. The easiest way to reach Hobbitenango is by private car, a shuttle service, or by taxi/Uber. We took an Uber and we had to pay 70Q for 3 people one-way, so it was quite worth it as we wanted to leave at a time later than the shuttle bus.

The eco-lodge also offers its own shuttle service from Antigua. Find out more here. Or you can go to their office in Antigua. They offer cheaper transportation than a taxi as it’s Q40 for a round trip, but they are at fixed times. The first shuttle is at 8:00 AM and the last leaves at 2:00 PM. The office is a bit difficult to find, but you need to go inside the restaurant that the address takes you to.

Driving for yourself is not recommended as it’s just easier to take a taxi. Getting to Hobbitenango requires a 4WD vehicle as it’s quite a difficult drive. But if you still want to drive, you can park your car at the parking and pay for a 4WD shuttle service. But in my opinion, it’s not worth all the hassle!

When is the best time to visit Hobbitenango?

The best time to visit Hobbitenango is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. During this time, the weather is pleasant and dry. This makes it perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. Just know that the highlands still can get chilly in the evening or night. I forgot to bring a sweater and I was actually so cold.

The rainy season runs from May to October and can be a bit more unpredictable, with heavy rains and thunderstorms. But, because it’s low season, the prices are more affordable.

We were at Hobbitango at the end of the dry season and we didn’t have a view the whole time we were there. So, we don’t actually know how beautiful the views are, unfortunately. Hopefully, you get a way better view than we did!

Entrance fees and opening hours

The entrance of Hobbitenango costs Q50 per adult and Q30 for children between 4 – 10 years old. Kids under 4 years old are free to enter the park. The entrance includes transportation from the parking lot to the Hobbitenango gate, unlimited games, unlimited jumps of the giant swing, hiking trails, and all the viewpoints! The shuttles run very frequently and you don’t have to wait longer than 10 minutes for one.

It’s open every day of the week from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The shuttles run even after closing time, but it can be very busy so you may need to wait a bit. But, if you took a shuttle from Antigua of Hobbitenango, make sure you leave earlier than 6:00 PM!

Activities and things to do in Hobbitenango

Hobbitenango offers a wide range of activities and things to do for visitors of all ages! There are a lot of hiking trails to enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys (if you get a view). But there are also a lot of adventurous experiences! Here are a few of the most memorable experiences at Hobbitenango:

1 | Taking pictures of the Hobbit holes

This is probably why you came here in the first place, but taking pictures at the Hobbit holes was such a fun thing to do for us as photographers! Especially, because we both are big fans of “Lord of the Rings” and going to New Zealand is a bit expensive at the moment.

Even though nothing was filmed for the movies at Hobbitenango, the resemblance is really awe-worthy. There are several houses that are publicly available and some are lodges to stay at. These are off-limit to give the guests some privacy.

2 | The giant's hand

Another popular thing at Hobbitengo is the hand of the giant. I knew some people immediately went to the hand before exploring the rest of Hobbitenango. So, expect it to be busy! We had to wait for 10 – 15 minutes in line before we could take pictures. And, we had limited time to take pictures. If you have clear weather, you will have a great view of the volcanoes of Pacaya and Fuego.

3 | The Hobbitenango swing

Included in the price is the Hobbitenango swing, which is the largest three-swing in Central America. The swing drops you off a suspended platform! As we didn’t have enough time, we didn’t do it, but the screams of the other people said enough!

People who want to use the swing need to be older than 8 and under 90 kilograms (200 pounds). They do take these limits seriously, fortunately!

4 | Hike around the area and find some viewpoints

There are 12 different viewpoints scattered around Hobbitenango. As we didn’t really have a view, we weren’t trying to look for any as we could only see mist, unfortunately. But if you have a clear day, try to find some miradors as you get stunning views over the volcanoes and you can get away from the crowds.

5 | Play mini-golf

At Hobbitenango, you could also play a six-hole mini-golf course, with its own theme. To start, you need to go to the reception to pick up your golf clubs and balls. The holes are scattered around the park.

6 | Archery and axe throwing

Archery and axe throwing are other activities you could do at Hobbitenango. You need to be at least 15 years old to throw some axes, but you can be younger for archery. There is also staff who are there for safety reasons and to provide tips and tricks.

7 | Artisan market

There are two places where there are vendors: at the entrance and in the middle of the park. They sell some things, like hats, clothing, and other things. The vendors are painted huts, shaped like hobbit holes. It’s fun to wander around and see what they’re selling.

8 | Play carnival games

Scattered around Hobbitenango, there are different carnival games, like big-sized Jenga, that you could play. They are free to play at any time. The games are pretty easy and enjoyable for any age. It’s a fun activity to challenge each other!

9 | Meet Gandalf

The last thing surprised me a little. We were walking around the park when we suddenly saw Gandalf in the far distance. As we wanted to take a picture with our camera so we could zoom in better, he was gone and we never saw him again. I read later on that it’s normal that he’s wandering around and that he’s waving at visitors.

Food and drinks at Hobbitenango

Another thing you can do at Hobbitenango is enjoy the delicious food and drinks they offer! Hobbitenango has its own restaurant, which serves a range of local and international dishes. The restaurant also offers vegetarian dishes. The menu has a lot of different things and you may have guessed it, but the menu has themed names!

Hobbitenango also offers an all-you-can-eat buffet every Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays! Breakfast is served from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and lunch from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM. The breakfast buffet costs Q149 per adult and Q69 for kids and the lunch buffet costs Q184 per adult and Q79 for kids. Children under 4 years old are free. And, the buffet cost includes your entrance, so not a bad deal, right?

Accomodations at Hobbitenango

You could actually stay at a Hobbit-inspired cabin at Hobbitenango! The accommodation is designed to blend in with the surroundings and offers a sustainable travel experience. There are three houses that you can rent for the night: La Casita del Sueño, La Casita del Nido, and Cala Esmeralda. The choice of lodge depends on your group size. La Casita del Sueño is the best for a couple as it’s for 2 people, La Casita del Nido can comfortably accommodate 2 couples. The last lodge, Cala Esmeralda, is the largest of the three and houses 6 people. The houses are fenced off, so you have some privacy.

The nightly prices range by the time of the year and weekends also cost more. Breakfast is included in the price, so you don’t have to worry about that. The prices are around:

La Casita del Sueño: €106 per night
La Casita del Nido: €125 per night
La Cala Esmeralda: €145 per night

Some tips for visiting Hobbitenango

Make sure you get here on time, as there are a lot of things to do around Hobbitenango. We left Antigua at 2:00 PM and it closes at 6:00 PM, so we didn’t have a lot of time to really explore everything.
Wear comfortable shoes, because there are a lot of hiking trails around Hobbitenango.
Bring a sweater or a jacket. I didn’t and I had it so cold at the end of the evening! The highlands can be quite chilly at night.
Book your accommodation in advance. When I looked for us, a month in advance, everything was fully booked. But, that’s because they don’t have a lot of lodges.
Don’t forget to bring your camera as there are a lot of picture opportunities!

Conclusion

Hobbitenango is a hidden gem that needs to be discovered by everyone! It offers a unique experience, with its Hobbit theme. Whether you’re a fan of Tolkien (like I am) or simply looking for a fun time, Hobbitenango is a must-visit destination! I really had a good time, but wasn’t there long enough to really enjoy all the fun activities they had to offer, so really calculate some time to actually try everything out!

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Hello, I’m Ellen and welcome to this blog! I’m in love with exploring the world and hopefully I get to inspire you with these blog posts and pictures to feel the same. You will find detailed itineraries, hidden gems, tips and so much more!

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Discovering the Magic of Hobbitenango: A Guide to Guatemala's Hidden Gem

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