What is Hobbitenango
The work “tenango” means “place of”, so the Hobbitenango literally means place of the Hobbits. Hobbitenango is a Hobbit style eco-village, inspired by the Hobbit villages of the Lord Of The Rings movie. It’s located in an area called Vuelta Grande, just 25 minutes by car from Antigua, Guatemala. It was founded out of a love for nature, playfulness, and the desire to disconnect from the hectic, busy world and reconnect with what is important in life.
In addition to the Hobbit style buildings built into the side of the mountain, you will see references to the movies and books all throughout the property. The village, or shire as it’s referred to, sits high above the city of Antigua at an elevation of 7,800 feet (2,400m). You will literally find yourself up in the clouds when visiting. This also results in some AMAZING views of the city below.
What To Do In Hobbitenango
Hobbitenango’s website lists 26 attractions that you can partake in while visiting. Below are a few of my favorites. You can purchase a map at the entrance or you can take a photo of it. There is also a map behind the main restaurant that explains the different points of interest.
Explore The Hobbit Holes
Taking pics in front of the famous Lord of The Rings spot is one of the most popular things to do here.
Enjoy The Views
Hobbitenango is known for its spectacular views over the valley, as well as, the 5 nearby volcanoes. You can enjoy the views from any number of sites in the village. You can wander the various paths, and you’ll come across seating areas, view points, and even hammocks to relax.
Take A Pic At El Mano De El Gigante
No trip to Hobbitenango would be complete without a trip to this Instagram famous lookout point. Not only are the views spectacular, but you’ll feel a sense of calm as you look out over the countryside below.
Play Miniture Golf
Scattered throughout the property are mini golf greens. The clubs are mallets, exactly what you would envision a Hobbit would use when playing golf (well I would anyway). There are gorgeous views rom each hole so you can take your time while playing.
Play Games Around The Property
In additional to carnival games and axe throwing, there are other games that can be played around the property. These include skeet ball, cornhole, and giant Jenga.
Swing from a tree
Listed as the largest swing in South America, this swing will launch you high into the air, giving you breathtaking views of the valley below. If you’re not afraid of heights, it’ll be a good way to get your heart racing.
Play carnival games
This was one of my favorite things to do. Have you ever wondered if you could shoot a bow and arrow or throw an axe? Well these games allow you to test your luck. Try your luck at archery, axe and knife throwing or hitting targets with a slingshot They are free to play but they limit the amount of turns your have in order for everyone to get a turn.
Eat!
One of my favorite activities to partake in, one of the most popular places is the newly remodeled eco-restaurant. You can choose to sit inside, outside on the deck, or the rooftop. There is a wide range of local and international foods on the menu to choose from. You can check out the seasonal menu here.
There are also a couple of small restaurants in the Hobbit holes that serve things like tortas and crepes. These options change regularly, so take a peak whenever you smell food to see what’s on the menu.
Stay The Night In A Hobbit House
There are currently three Hobbit style houses built into the mountain that you can rent for the night. The largest house has a terrace with incredible views. You’ll feel like you have the entire village to yourself as you enjoy the peaceful silence on top of the mountain when all the daytime guests have gone home. You can find more information about their accommodations here.
Shop Local Artisans
On weekends and holidays, Hobbitenango hosts a wide range of artisans in their artisan market. You can try local chocolates, coffee, and typical Guatemalan sweets from local makers.
How Much Does It Cost?
Visiting Hobbitenango is free during the week but you pay for activities. On the weekends, there is an entrance fee of Q50 ($7 USD) for adults and Q30 ($4 USD) for children and this includes unlimited use of the facilities.
There is also a breakfast or lunch buffet option that ranges from Q90-200 (US$12-26) per person. With this, you get entrance to the park and buffet options. I went with this option and it was worth it. You can see the full menu options here.
For the mini golf and other activities, they’re Q10 ($2 USD) each during the week. They’re free on the weekend once you pay the entrance fee.
Getting To Hobbitenango
There are four main ways that you can get to Hobbitenango:
- Uber
- The Hobbitenango shuttle
- A taxi
- Drive yourself
Each of these methods will take you the Hobbitenango car park only. From the car park, you must either walk (not recommended) or take the 4×4 truck up the steep dirt road. The 4×4 truck costs about 15Q per person and is included with your entry ticket.
Uber to Hobbitenango
I chose to take an Uber from the center of Antigua and it cost around 35Q. It was quick and easy to get a ride and most of the drivers are familiar with the location. Keep in mind that your destination is high in the mountains so if you plan on taking an Uber back, make sure that you have a signal once you arrive.
Also, I found that there was a long wait (20-25 minutes) for an Uber to pick me up at Hobbitenango as most of the drivers are in Antigua. As a result, I ended up taking one of the “private” taxis back to the center of Antigua. You can also take the shuttle back down.
Take the Hobbitenango Shuttle from Antigua
There is an office in the Town of Antigua that you can take a shuttle from. It’s located at 1a Avenida Nte 36, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. The shuttle is an open back truck with a shade cover. It costs 35Q per person/round trip and remember, it takes you to the car park only
Shuttle Schedule
Departs Antigua:
8:00AM, 10:00AM , 12:00PM, 2:00PM, 4:00PM
Departs from Hobbitenango Carpark:
9:00AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM, 5:00PM
Taxi to Hobbitenango
You an also opt to get a local taxi from the center of Antigua. This will cost about 60Q. A s stated above, there are “private” taxis at the top of the mountain that can bring you back, but there are no normal taxis waiting at the top of the mountain. You can also plan with your taxi driver to come back and pick you up later at a certain time or take the shuttle back down.
Drive Yourself
If you have a car, you can use GPS to navigate to the top of the mountain (car park) and then take the 4×4 to the top.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Hobbitenango is a unique way to spend time with friends and family before hiking the nearby volcanoes. Don’t expect a massive adventure full of adrenalin, but rather to smile a bunch, relax, and get some cool photos.
Geron is an avid traveler, entreprenuer and mens style aficionado. He love’s mac and cheese, getting discounts, his momma, and a good whiskey, not particularly in that order. It’s alleged he lives in Miami, but no one really knows anymore.
Follow him on instagram at @geronp
