3 reviewed party hostels · from €0.66/night · Hostelworld rated
Guatemala City’s nightlife doesn’t shout: it hums. By 10 PM, the streets of **Zona Viva (Zona 9)** fill with groups spilling out of bars like **Tequila Sunrise**, where two-for-one mojitos draw a mix of backpackers and locals. The hostel scene here is small but sharp. Places like **Casa Zanate** in the city centre pack travellers onto a rooftop with cheap Gallo beers and a view of the colonial skyline. Most hostels sit in **Zona 1** or **Zona 4**, where you’re never more than a 15-minute walk from a reggaeton-thumping club or a dimly lit cantina serving 20-quetzal shots. If you’re after a bed that’s cheap and central, expect to pay around 80–120 GTQ (£8–12) a night: just don’t count on silence.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
TRAVELHOLIC Hostel is a party paradise in Guatemala City's Cuatro Grados Norte district. The large rooftop terrace is perfect for pre-gaming and socialising, while its location in Zona 4 puts you steps away from the best bars and clubs. Friendly owners Jheff and Carla foster a party-friendly atmosphere, encouraging spontaneous gatherings and group outings. The well-equipped kitchen is ideal for preparing group meals and drinking sessions.
Tequila Sunrise, located in Guatemala City's Zone 4, is a party-lover's dream. The rooftop terrace is ideal for pre-drinks and meeting fellow travellers. Its prime location near '4 Grados Norte' puts you in the heart of the nightlife action. The fully equipped kitchen and refrigerator stocked with beers and sodas ensure the party can continue back at the hostel. The relaxed atmosphere encourages spontaneous gatherings and night-time adventures.
Hostal Guatefriends is a party-friendly haven for night owls in Guatemala City. The lively terrace is perfect for pre-gaming and meeting fellow revellers. Shared areas buzz with impromptu gatherings and drinking games, while board games fuel boozy evening socials. Its location near the airport is ideal for squeezing in one last epic night out before flying.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A guided crawl through Zona Viva’s best spots, starting at **Tequila Sunrise** for happy hour mojitos. The tour hits 4–5 bars and clubs, including **Kahlua**, with a free shot at each stop. Groups are small: usually 10–15 people: and the guides keep the drinks flowing. Expect to spend around 100 GTQ on extra drinks.
How Guatemala City's nightlife zones break down
The historic centre, packed with colonial buildings, street art, and cheap eats. **6a Avenida** is the main drag for bars and hostels, with a mix of backpackers and locals. It’s gritty in parts, but the energy is real: especially on weekends when the streets fill with food stalls and live music. Stay near **Parque Central** for the safest, liveliest pockets.
The artsy, gentrified sibling of Zona 1. Here, you’ll find boutique hostels, hip cafes, and galleries tucked into converted warehouses. **Cuatro Grados Norte** is the heart of it, with cobblestone streets and a bohemian crowd. Nightlife is low-key but fun: think craft beer bars and underground clubs rather than mega-clubs.
The upscale nightlife hub, where glass-fronted clubs and rooftop bars cater to a wealthier crowd. It’s pricier: expect 50 GTQ cocktails: but the clubs stay open late, and the dress code is smarter. **Avenida La Reforma** is the main strip, lined with palm trees and high-end restaurants. Best for a big night out, not a quiet drink.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A two-storey bar in Zona Viva with a terrace that fills up by 11 PM. Happy hour runs from 9–11 PM, with 20 GTQ mojitos and 30 GTQ margaritas. The crowd is a mix of backpackers and young locals, and the music leans toward reggaeton and salsa. Upstairs gets smoky after midnight, so grab a table downstairs if you’re not into that.
Zona Viva’s biggest club, with three floors and a cover charge of 50 GTQ after 11 PM. The ground floor plays reggaeton, the second is EDM, and the top floor is a mix of salsa and merengue. Drinks are pricey: 60 GTQ for a cocktail: but the dance floor is packed until 4 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
A no-frills cantina in Zona 1 that’s been around for decades. Beers are 20 GTQ, and the jukebox plays everything from rancheras to rock en español. It’s a local favourite, so don’t expect English menus. Gets rowdy after 10 PM, especially on weekends when live bands play.
A Cuban-themed bar in Zona 1 with 35 GTQ mojitos and salsa nights every Thursday. The space is small, so it’s standing-room-only by 10 PM. The crowd is mostly locals in their 20s and 30s, and the bartenders don’t water down the drinks. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a live band playing son cubano.
A basement club in Zona 4 with a grungy vibe and no cover charge. The music is a mix of indie rock, punk, and electronic: think less reggaeton, more underground. Drinks are 40 GTQ, and the crowd is a mix of artists and backpackers. Opens at 9 PM but doesn’t get busy until midnight.
A rooftop bar in Zona 1 with views of the city and 30 GTQ beers. It’s more chilled than Zona Viva’s clubs, but the crowd gets lively after 11 PM when DJs play house and techno. Happy hour runs from 5–8 PM, and the tacos are decent if you need a snack. Gets smoky, but the breeze helps.