Day Trip to Hobbitenango From Antigua — Is It Worth It?
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Step aside, New Zealand—Guatemala has its very own version of Hobbiton! You can visit The Shire at Hobbitenango, a Lord of the Rings-inspired eco-park in the misty mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.
If you’re a big Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan, like me, you’ll definitely want to check out this Guatemalan version of J.R. Tolkien’s Shire!
But is visiting Hobbitenango worth it? How do you get to Hobbitenango from Antigua? What is there to do at Hobbitenango?In this guide, I’ll share our experience visiting the Hobbitenango theme park on a day trip from Antigua. You’ll get a sneak peek of the famous Hobbitenango hand, things to do, the delicious restaurant, and more!
Here’s the ultimate guide to visiting Hobbitenango in Guatemala!
Ultimate Guide to Hobbitenango in Guatemala
Hobbitenango Hours
Hobbitenango is open from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Getting to Hobbitenango From Antigua
Ok, you’ve decided to spend the day playing Hobbit! How do you get to Hobbitenango from Antigua?
Hobbitenango is approximately 8 km (5 miles) away from Antigua in Vuelta Grande (near Aldea El Hato and Earth Lodge). It takes about 20 minutes to get there by car. That said, here are your transportation options, including:
- Shuttle from the Hobbitenango Office in Antigua
- Driving there yourself with a rental car
- Carpooling or taking a private Uber
- ATV Mountain Adventure Tour (includes a 1-hour visit to Hobbitenango)
If you don’t mind spending about Q80-90 for an Uber each way (about $10), I would definitely recommend getting an Uber to pick you up. It’s the easiest and fastest option.
Keep in mind that there might not be an Uber available for the return journey back to Antigua. Local taxis park at the bottom of the hill and will take you back for around the same price.
The Panchoy Valley and backdrop of volcanoes (view from Hobbitenango)
For those who decide to rent their own car, parking is Q20 (about $2.60).
Located near Cerro de la Cruz, the shuttle to Hobbitenango costs Q45 per person roundtrip. The shuttle leaves from the central office in Antigua every day at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm.
It returns back to the city center at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm. This is one of the least expensive and most efficient options for a day trip!
The shuttle to Hobbitenango can also be arranged to pick you up at your hotel or some specific hostels, although it’s definitely a more expensive option, between Q100 and Q250.
However you get there when you arrive, you’ll be dropped off at the bottom of a hill. That’s because the last portion of the road to reach the Hobbitenango eco-park is a steep gravel path.
You’ll need to hop in the back of a 4×4 off-road Jeep (provided and included in your ticket price) to make it up there.
🎟 Hobbitenango Cost
- Q50 per adult, Mon-Sun (Q30 for children aged 4-10)
- All-you-can-eat buffet on Sat-Sun and holidays for Q149-184 per adult and Q69-Q79 for kids (breakfast or lunch)
- Shuttles depart every 15-20 minutes or so
You’ll purchase your admission ticket at the bottom of the hill before Hobbitenango.
The ticket price of Q50 includes the shuttle from the entrance up to Hobbitenango, unlimited play on all games and activities (i.e., axe throwing, archery, minigolf, etc), a drink (natural or beer), and access to all green areas and trails inside the park.
Things to See & Do at Hobbitenango
It’s a cloudy day here in the misty mountains of Hobbitenango!
There aren’t a ton of things to do at Hobbitenango, but enough to fill up 2-3 hours!
Tips: I would recommend checking the weather before you visit and planning accordingly. When we went, clouds covered the volcano views, which definitely took away from the experience. Crowds will also make waiting times for the tree swing, troll hand, and fair games longer, so aim to go during the week rather than on the weekend.
Hobbitenango Hand
The stone troll hand at Hobbitenango is a photo-worthy spot overlooking the Panchoy Valley and the towering volcanoes sleeping in the distance.
This area can be found by following the trail off to the right, past the hobbit hole with the blue door. You can look out over the hand from the upper-level viewing deck (right beside the troll head) or skirt down the trail to queue and have your picture taken standing on the hand itself.
An employee of the park will offer to take photos for you (if you’re traveling solo), or you can hand over the camera to a friend. There’s an hourglass that begins when “your turn” starts (1-2 mins each) so that everyone has a chance to cycle through the line at least once.
Archery & Axe-Throwing
Paul got a bullseye!
One of my favorite parts of the Hobbitenango eco-park is the fun activities, such as axe and machete throwing and archery. Even though the setup isn’t that grandiose and is geared more toward children and young adults, it’s still fun to partake in!
If you ever wanted to try your hand at shooting arrows like Legolas… now’s your chance! You get three arrows per turn, then you need to move along or wait back in line for a second go.
Tree Swing
The tree swing is the biggest draw to the park, boasting that it’s the “largest tree swing in Central America.” Whether that’s true or not, which I’m sure it is, the swing wasn’t all that impressive.
You’re closer to the ground than the photo angles make it look. In any case, many people seem to enjoy swinging over Hobbitenango with a view!
Since this is one of the busiest activities and things to do in Hobbitenango, plan on getting there earlier in the day rather than waiting until the afternoon.
Other Stuff to Do
El Nido (The Nest)
Artisanal market and fair games inside Hobbitenango
Trails: A small network of trails winds through the park, but don’t be surprised if they suddenly stop and lead to nowhere.
Minigolf: If you’re spending the day at Hobbitenango with family or children, there’s a small 6-hole mini-golf course.
El Nido: You can rent out El Nido for a private, romantic event or dinner. They decorate it and you’ll have it just for you and your significant other!
Live music: On sunny days, live music and events often take place on the Hobbitenango stage, front and center of the park.
Hobbitenango Casitas (Hotel)
Other than the hand, swing, archery, and all the fun games, most visitors come here to disconnect and spend a night in one of the fantasy hobbit holes. They look just like the real deal!
La Casita del Sueño
There are currently three little homes (casitas), each with a painted door: red, yellow, and green.
- La Casita del Sueño (best for couples)
- La Casita del Nido (couples or small families)
- Cala Esmeralda (largest with its own terrace)
All the bedrooms are made with eco-friendliness in mind and are cozy as can be with Hobbit-style furnishings.
If the Hobbit holes are full, a wonderful alternative place to stay near Hobbitenango is Earth Lodge. It has a yoga studio, avocado farm, eco-friendly rooms, and an on-site restaurant in its garden.
Restaurant, Cafe & Bar
Feasting like a Hobbit — baked eggplant with parmesan and roasted tomatoes!
Finally, Hobbitenango has an on-site restaurant, cafe, and tavern with hobbit-style menus and decor to make your day even more memorable.
The restaurant’s food is made fresh with ingredients inspired by the Shire.
Chow down on Hobbit pancakes, fondue, a magic garden salad, pizza, and more! I had a homemade baked eggplant dish, and Paul had the sliders.
Both the food and service were great, and we enjoyed our Shire meal by a cozy fire inside the restaurant! You can check out the full menu here.
Although we didn’t have time to grab a drink in the tavern, it’s one of the cutest buildings you’ll pass when you first walk in Hobbitenango.
FAQ’s About Visiting Hobbitenango
What’s the history behind Hobbitenango in Guatemala?
While Hobbitenango draws inspiration from the fantasy franchise, no part of The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings was filmed here. Hobbitenang began as a passion project for fantasy lovers and grew into the magical attraction it is today.
How Do You Get From Guatemala City to Hobbitenango?
The best way to get to Hobbitenango from Guatemala City is on a guided tour. This takes care of your transportation, which is a little difficult from Guatemala City.
If you happen to be staying in Antigua, Hobbitenango is just 20 minutes away by car!
Where is the Giant Hand in Guatemala?
You might have seen pictures of someone on a trip to Guatemala, standing in the palm of a giant hand with sprawling mountain scenery in the background. That picture was taken at Hobbitenango!
Is Visiting Hobbitenango Worth It?
Considering that Hobbitenango is an eco-park created by those who love the franchise and that it’s the next best (or at least, closest) thing to the real Shire set all the way in New Zealand, then yes—it’s worth visiting!
What hides behind the blue-doored hobbit hole…
Could they do a better job at bringing the Shire to life? Absolutely.
For example, the music throughout the entire park is not Hobbit-style music, but rather Guatemalan marimba music.
It changes the vibe entirely and removes you from the fantasy you came here for. The only Shire music playing can be heard as you pass through the entrance of Hobbitenango when arriving or leaving.
If you only have 1-2 hours to spare, I don’t think it would be worth your while to visit Hobbitenango from Antigua. However, if you plan on spending a full day there, eating lunch there, and just relaxing and taking part in the games, then definitely go for it.
Better yet, if you want the whole experience of Hobbitenango, consider staying overnight so you can have unlimited access to the games, restaurant, bar, and above all — the views — when all the tourists leave to go home for the day.
I hope this guide to visiting Hobbitenango in Guatemala helps plan your visit! The park is definitely gaining in popularity and remains one of the best things to do in Antigua, Guatemala.
While there’s lots of room for improvement, you can appreciate the efforts taken to bring a slice of Lord of the Rings to this corner of the world.
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