Xela offers a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget and vibe. Here we share a few suggestions to consider in the city, from budget hostels to homestays with local families.
Budget-friendly hostels
On a backpacker budget? Here are some favorite cheaper options in the center of Xela:
Mid-range hotels
Looking for something a little nicer for your stay in Xela? Consider these lovely options:
Homestays through Spanish schools
At Quetzaltrekkers, we love recommending places that support local communities. One of the most meaningful ways to stay in Xela is through a homestay with a local family, arranged by one of the city’s many nonprofit Spanish schools. You’ll experience daily Guatemalan life, improve your Spanish through immersion, and directly support families and grassroots development projects in the community. A few trusted options are:
For more ideas about things to do in Xela (aside from trekking of course!) then check out:
Join us on October 17, 2026 for a fundraising hike with one of our partner organizations. Asociación Caras Alegres and Quetzaltrekkers are organizing a fundraising excursion to a mirador along our Volcán Zunil trek for a group of young people from the community we support in Barrio La Rosa. Learn more about them here!
The young people participating in the hike are Caras Alegres scholarship students, who are continuing their education with the support of our scholarship programme. They come from families in the vulnerable community where we work and are working towards completing their studies and building opportunities for a better future. Alongside their studies, many also have responsibilities within their families and communities.
The hike is an opportunity for them to step away from their usual routine and spend a day together in the mountains. At Mirador Zunil, they will have the chance to explore a different environment, enjoy the landscape, share time with one another and experience something outside their everyday school and family responsibilities. You can support them by participating in the hike alongside the students, participating in language exchange, and learning more about the lives of youth here in Xela.
