Where Adventure
Meets Family

Fraser Wilson

a month ago

The best hostel I stayed at in Guatemala. La Iguana Perdida has an incredibly welcoming, family atmosphere that's perfect for solo travellers and groups alike. The warmth of the owners, Deedle and Dave, is reflected in the fantastic staff and volunteers who clearly love to be there too, making it easy to feel at home. I loved the daily yoga, sunrise hike and beautiful lakeside setting. The family dinners bring everyone together each evening, followed by volunteer-run activities such as quiz nights, open mics and pool tournaments that naturally create a relaxed but social atmosphere, and make it easy to meet people. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

Lauren Buckley

3 months ago

We had an amazing stay for our annual cousins trip! The property was beautiful, and our room was very clean, spacious, and comfortable. The volunteers were so welcoming and fun. Family dinner and open mic night created such great memories and a wonderful sense of community. Highly recommend!

Peaches Watkins

a month ago

We adored our stay here. The people were really great, a lovely combination of Guatamalans and then Mexicans and expatriates and travelers from all over the world. We loved our room, great view, excellent hammock overlooking the lake. And the place was fun and had great vibes! Very good option for scuba in the lake.

Meghan Anderson

2 months ago

I stayed here as a solo female traveler, age 39, June 2026 in the private lake-view room for four nights. The view from the room was incredible, and the hammock made it even that much cooler. It was amazing reading in the hammock and watching the cloud roll over the lake and volcanoes! The meals and happy hour drinks were also wildly affordable (I’m from the US). I also took a yoga class and did my own yoga in their nice studio which is open for your own use during the day. The staff were also very kind and helpful…they knew my name and always made me feel welcome. During the two group dinners I attended I had some interesting conversations with others, although one of the nights I was by far the oldest person there :) There were a couple of caveats about the private room with the lake view…it was right above the kitchen and bar and while the quiet time is usually 10pm, on Saturdays the party and loud music went until 1am, so that’s something to be aware of if you have an early morning planned the next day. Also, the windows aren’t fully sealed and there are no screens, so mosquitos kind of wandered in and out at all times so I had to cover myself with bug spray constantly. But overall I did have a very good experience.

Miguel Cartaxo Conceição

3 months ago

La Iguana Perdida delivers exactly what a backpacker hostel on the shores of Lake Atitlán should: a communal, laid-back atmosphere where strangers become travel companions over shared meals and sunset views. The social energy here is genuine, and for solo travellers or anyone looking to connect with like-minded people, that intangible quality counts for a lot. The location is hard to fault, right on the waterfront, steps from the dock where boats connect Santa Cruz to the other villages around the lake. Filtered water available throughout is a practical and appreciated touch, and the hostel’s organised activities add real value to the stay. However, the practicalities of the room itself leave something to be desired. A three-person room with a single towel hook is a logistical oversight that is difficult to overlook, a minor fix that would make a meaningful difference. The room, while characterful, is genuinely tight for three occupants. Hot water was available but required a considerable wait. Perhaps most frustrating, the cabin’s poor insulation against mosquitoes made for some uncomfortable nights, in a region where insect exposure is not trivial, proper sealing should be a baseline standard. Worth noting: a visit to neighbouring La Cerveza Hostel offered an interesting point of comparison. A noticeably more polished and upscale proposition, with a different aesthetic and what appeared to be superior views, a stronger choice for those who want the lakeside experience with a touch more comfort. La Iguana Perdida suits the budget traveller chasing atmosphere over amenities. Bring mosquito repellent, and manage your expectations on space.