US$10–25

A well-established budget hotel is the very pleasant and friendly Posada Juma Ocag (Calzada de Santa Lucía #13, tel. 7832-3109, $15 d) with seven tastefully decorated, well-furnished rooms featuring wrought-iron headboards, mirrors, and reading lamps, all with private bath. It has a rooftop patio and garden as well as some nice extras such as free drinking water. It’s also conveniently situated near the bus terminal.

The excellent value Casa Cristina (Callejón Camposeco #3A, between 6a and 7a Avenida, tel. 7832-0623, www.casa-cristina.com [1], $22–37 d) has beautifully decorated, colorful rooms with wrought-iron accents, Guatemalan bedspreads, tile floors, and private hot-water bathroom. Pricier “standard plus” rooms have cable TV, while deluxe rooms also have gorgeous volcano views and minifridge. Room rates include unlimited use of wireless Internet, purified drinking water, coffee, and tea.

A step above its sister property, The Black Cat Inn (5a Calle Poniente #11A, tel. 7832-0374, www.blackcathostels.net [2], $25 d) is a bed-and-breakfast with well-decorated rooms and private bathrooms. There’s a rooftop restaurant/bar and youthful patrons that might keep you up at night.

One of my favorite new budget-friendly places is the cozy and welcoming Hotel Mi Casa (1a Avenida Sur #4B, tel. 7832-1735, http://hotelmicasaenantigua.info [3], $25 d), where it feels more like staying at a friend’s house than a hotel. The comfortable rooms (some with wood floors) have nice furnishings and attached, shared bathrooms. Guests have use of the kitchen, but the hotel is well located next to some of my favorite feeding troughs.

Just north of the Arco de Santa Catalina [4], Posada Asjemenou (Calle del Arco #31, tel. 7832-2670, $23–31 d) has attractive rooms centered around a courtyard with or without private hot-water bathroom. The large rooms have nice antique tile floors and wooden furnishings and there’s a restaurant on the premises where you can enjoy delicious pizzas and pastas in the $10–16 range. Room rates include breakfast.

Posada La Merced (7a Avenida Norte #43, tel. 7832-3197, $20–25 d) is another good choice offering nicely decorated, furnished rooms with private or shared hot-water bathroom. It features a courtyard where you can help yourself to purified drinking water, baggage storage, and a communal kitchen. Candles add a nice touch in the evening.

Just one block from the central plaza, Hotel Casa Rústica (6a Avenida Norte #8, tel. 7832-3709, www.casarusticagt.com [5], $26–36 d) has comfortable rooms with shared bathroom or private bathroom, with or without cable TV and garden view. Rates include breakfast, filtered drinking water, and use of the kitchen. It also offers laundry service, bag storage, and wireless Internet. There are nice gardens and hammocks for lounging.