Are you looking for a unique experience in Antigua, Guatemala? Hobbitenango is an adult's playground, hotel, and restaurant located just 20 minutes from the beautiful colonial city, which once had one of the longest names of any city in the world: "La Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de Los Caballeros de Guatemala."
Today, Antigua is a popular tourist destination known for its vibrant colonial architecture, remarkable safety for a Central American town, and the nearby active Fuego volcano that puts on frequent explosive displays, providing free firework shows on a daily basis for the curious eyes.
Hence, apart from all the fun you can have at the Hobbit village, its main attraction is the scenic beauty of its location, nestled amid mountains and volcanoes. The fairytale park is 2,400 meters above sea level, where the air is fresh and crispy, and the views are incredible.
Originally, this place was meant to be a small eco-village shared among friends, but it has been embraced by both locals and visitors from all over the world.
Hobbitenango draws inspiration from JRR Tolkien's work. It features hobbit-style cabins and a restaurant serving dishes named after "The Shire" - the region where the hobbits live in "The Lord of the Rings."
These anthropomorphic beings inspired rooms built like the hobbits' homes since, according to literary works, they usually live in holes that are hollows in the ground with round walls and doors.
The houses and a restaurant on the 1.4 hectares of land were constructed in 2015. They were inspired by popular fantasy genres to create a sense of joy and wonder for both adults and children. A second larger restaurant, modeled after the "Green Dragon Inn" of the "Shire," was opened in 2019.
If you visit Hobbitenango in the late afternoon, you will witness a breathtaking natural wonder: the sunset with the sun setting between the volcanoes.
Hobbitenango has over 26 areas and attractions to enjoy in its wonder park, including restaurants, amusement rides, and a hotel with hobbit houses.
You can visit during the day or stay overnight, enjoying the beautiful views over the Panchoy Valley and the surrounding volcanoes.
The hobbit village is a resting point in anyone's Gutamelan trip, where you can take it easy, relax, and grab some food in a spectacular fantasyland before jumping on the next nerve-wracking (and bone-breaking!) chicken bus.
There are two restaurants where you can dine à la carte or enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Plus several spots where you can have a coffee or a cocktail with views of the volcanoes.
Hobbitenango is derived from the combination of the words "hobbit" and "tenango," which in Nahuatl (Aztec) language means "place." So, it can be translated as the "place of the hobbits."
More than just a destination, Hobbitenango is an ecological enterprise. It was built with a deep commitment to minimizing environmental impact, ensuring that your visit leaves the smallest footprint possible.
The property's structures are all nonintrusive (they don't extend into the ground) and are made of eco-bricks - plastic-filled construction modules.
Hobbitenango is a long-term project focused on sustainable living through alternative construction techniques, organic farming, animal care, rainwater harvesting, and solar/wind energy utilization.
The three cottages (La Casita del Sueño, La Casita del Nido and Cala Esmeralda) have fireplaces and private terraces overlooking the majestic volcanoes.
In the hillside hobbit-holes you can get a luxurious in-room breakfast with a view on Hobbitenango's plant-filled garden.
Or simply grab a glass of wine and watch Fuego's (the active volcano) wild activity.
Hobbitenango's garden has many green areas with chairs where you can sit and read, look at the mountains, or chat with your newly befriended fellow travelers.
The large hand facing the Acatenango, Fuego, and Agua volcanoes is the most popular viewing platform.
As you would guess, the giant hand is the visitor's favorite place to take photos.
Apart from the hobbit market, live music shows attract the crowds over the weekends.
There is a never-ending list of fun activities and photo ops to make all your friends staying at home jealous of your trip:
• Archery
• Axe throwing
• Mini golf with seven holes
• Largest tree swing in Central America
• Panoramic trails and viewpoints where you can admire the valley and the Acatenango, Fuego, and Pacaya volcanoes
• The viewpoint in the shape of a giant-sized hand
• A hobbit village
• Children's playground
• Hobbit market, where you can buy locally made crafts, clothes, jewelry and sweets