Hobbitenango: Antigua’s Hidden Treasure

Did you know there is a hobbit village inspired by Lord of the Rings in Antigua called Hobbitenango?! I was quite surprised myself, and didn’t expect to find a unique, little Hobbiton right in Guatemala. It was so fun to spend the day exploring the hobbit village, with picturesque areas that will make you feel like you’re actually in the Shire! The site also overlooks Panchoy Valley’s five gorgeous surrounding volcanoes for some breathtaking views. Trust me, you’ll want to make Hobbitenango a stop on your Antigua itinerary.

What is Hobbitenango?

Filled with more than 26 areas, games and attractions for vistors to enjoy, Hobbitenango opened in 2015 and first began as an eco-friendly village. Overtime, hobbit-themed attractions began to emerge…leading to the Hobbitenango known today. Now, there are two restaurants that over look the stunning scenery with LOTR themed food and drinks, and one is modeled after the Green Dragon Inn of the Shire. There are also games such as giant Jenga, mini golf, and a humongous swing with a 2,500 meter high jump!

Of course, there is also the cute hobbit village where you can explore and take pictures with the large spherical doors in the hills. Wear something cute! This is definitely something you’ll want to post to Instagram.

How to Get to Hobbitenango?

Only 20 minutes from Antigua, it is quite easy getting to Hobbitenango. There are a few different ways to get to the hobbit village:

By Car

If you plan on driving, you can park in any of the available village parking lots. The cost is only Q20 (about $2.60 USD) and the money goes toward sustaining the local community. The roads are little steep and windy on your way up, so be cautious especially if your car needs a little extra tender loving care.

Shuttle From Antigua

The shuttle was our choice in getting to Hobbitenango. Make your way to the Hobbitenango Office in Antigua. For Q35 ($4.50 USD) per person, you can take an easy shuttle from Antigua for about 20 minutes to Hobbitenango. The office is located in a little shop that offers coffee and other drinks, and you’ll see signs for Hobbitenango outside. Just go to the bar counter and reserve your tickets for the time you wish to leave. Then, the shuttle picks you up and drops you off at the same shop. Also be aware of when the last shuttle leaves from Hobbitenango, as the park closes earlier on weekdays.

Uber, Taxi, or Tuktuk

We met a couple also traveling together at one of the restaurants who came to Hobbitenango by Uber. This is another easy option if you have the app, however, the couple told us that the first Uber they ordered canceled on them because the roads were too steep and rough for his car. However, the second Uber they called had four-wheel drive and was able to take them. So you might have to try a couple times before you find an Uber driver willing to take you.

There are also taxis and tuktuks all over Antigua, which are options as well. Just be aware, when we asked a tuktuk driver how much it would be to go to Hobbitenango, he told us Q250 (more than $32 USD), way more than what we actually ended up paying for the shuttle. Be sure to ask your taxi or tuktuk driver how much ahead of time AND if they are willing to make the harrowing drive.

Can I Stay the Night in one of the Hobbit Holes?

Okay this is definitely the best part: YES you can! Currently, there are three little hobbit holes where vistors can stay the night. One is smaller and great for couples, the next can accommodate two couples or a small family, and the last one is the largest, complete with a terrace and stunning views. Your stay comes complete with personal service from the hotel’s five-star staff, along with fresh hand-delivered coffee in the morning!

Pricing for the small hobbit hole starts at Q2348 (a little more than $300 USD) a night, while the largest hole starts at Q3192 (about $415 USD) per night. If you are interested in staying the night at Hobbitenango, be sure to check the availability for the dates you wish to visit. The prices may change as well, depending on the season, day of the week, etc.

You can book your stay here.

Hobbitenango Pricing

To enter Hobbitenango, tickets cost Q50 (about $6.50 USD) for adults and Q30 (a little less than $4 USD) for children aged 4 – 10. The ticket includes free transportation from the parking lot, archery, mini golf, axe and machete shooting, other fair-like games, unlimited jumps on the giant swing, and access to the restaurants and green areas. On weekends and holidays the park offers, an all you can eat buffet too!

Things to do at Hobbitenango

As mentioned before, there is a lot to do and see in Hobbitenango. You can easily spend an entire day exploring the trails, taking in the sites, and relaxing at one of the two restaurants.

Take Photos

This one is quite obvious as Hobbitenango is such a photogenic place! From the cute hobbit doors, to the green plains, to the gorgeous scenery, it would be a challenge not to take pictures honestly. You can get creative with your photos and film yourself passing through one of the many hobbit hole doors, or take a picture on a swing or bench that reads “Hobbitenango”. There are so many photo opportunities, I don’t think you’ll run out of options for Instagram!

Visit the Stone Troll Hand

This is one that we unfortunately missed, but you shouldn’t! Because we were a little limited on time, we didn’t come across this amazing sculpture and view. From this spot, you can see the majestic “Mount Dooms” in the distance. You can find this spot by following the trail to the right of the hobbit hole with the blue door, or you can ask any employee for directions.

Play Games

As I said before, there are plenty of games to keep you occupied during your stay at Hobbitenango. A lot of the kid-friendly games are located near the buffet area so parents can keep an eye on their children while enjoying a drink or meal. You can try your hand at archery and feel like Legolas in battle or axe throwing to channel your inner Gimli.

There is also a rope swing that will have you soaring with incredible views of the five volcanoes and a large majority of the park. I have an intense fear of heights so, naturally, I skipped this one, but my boyfriend gave it a go and got a really fun video out of it!

Do Some Shopping

I didn’t expect this but Hobbitenango has some cute shops that you can browse! Full of hats, jewelry, clothing, and other trinkets, you can spend some time perusing the many options the vendors have. I ended up getting myself a pink gem necklace that I had my eye on.

Explore the Hidden Trails

Take your time and wander along the vast trails. There are so many paths to take, you’ll really feel like you’re walking in a fantasy land. Some will lead you to new sculptures, others to small houses, some to hidden viewpoints, and others to quaint romantic areas. One path took us to an adorable little yellow house, fit for elves and another lead us to a hammock with a view(my boyfriend’s favorite!). You’ll never know where you’ll end up!

Chill Out and Have Lunch & Drinks

When you start to feel hungry or want to take some relaxing time to yourself, feel free to visit one of the restaurants. We went to the one further up the hill for some LOTR themed drinks and they were delicious! We sipped our tasty drinks and marveled at the gorgeous scenery. And we could even see Acatenango Volcano and the eruptions from El Fuego! A truly relaxing experience before we had to return to our shuttle.

How Does it Compare to Hobbiton in New Zealand?

While Hobbiton in New Zealand is the original site where the Shire scenes were actually filmed, Hobbitenango shouldn’t be written off as a cheap copy. Hobbiton has a lot more restrictions, and it makes sense. I mean, one of the greatest trilogies of all time was filmed at this sacred location. When my boyfriend visited a few years ago, they kept yelling at him because he wanted to peek in one of the hobbit doors (sorry about him, he’s a HUGE LOTR fan). Here in Hobbitenango, no one yelled at us as we explored the hobbit holes to our heart’s desire. The only ones you cannot go up to are the gated hotel hobbit holes, as people are staying in them.

Additionally, you cannot visit New Zealand’s Hobbiton without a guide, which also places a limit on how long you can tour the area, take pictures, etc. There is less freedom to wander and explore, which was the biggest complaint my boyfriend had when he visited. At Hobbitenango, there is a lot more freedom to wander, explore and have unlimited time (depending on when you arrive, of course) to see as much as possible. Not to mention the huge price difference. The entrance to Hobbiton ranges from $60 USD to more than $200 USD, while Hobbitenango is only $6.50 USD.

I’m not saying Hobbitenango is better than seeing the original Hobbiton by any means, but if you have seen LOTR or just enjoy fantasy-like sceneries, then Hobbitenango is a great and affordable alternative.

If you find yourself traveling in Antigua or anywhere in Panchoy Valley then I can’t recommend visiting Hobbitenango enough. You can have a peaceful, easy day away from the tourist crowds while taking a nice break from the abundant number of hikes. Believe me, Hobbitenango is a day trip that’s worth it.

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