I arrived after a long day of travel and walked into the best happy hour vibe ever which was like Christmas after the bus ride. The staff are awesome, it's super clean and cosy and the breakfast-wow. The hardest thing is choosing what to have from the 11 or so options. My gave hostel in Guatemala!

We spent 1 night here before going to San Pedro. We met some nice people and had a good meal and breakfast. There is no kitchen to use and the communal seating area could be better as it was too wet and cool to use the roof terrace. We did have breakfast on the roof which was nice. The room was a good size but basic, the tv picture was snowy and they said it was the weather, very hard beds but a nice shower. We were quoted a rate of exchange for US $ and told we could pay in either local or US. As we hadn't made it to the ATM we asked again in the morning and they wouldn't honour the rate! It got into quite a discussion with phone calls to the night receptionist. We made a trip to the ATM to sort it out but it left a bad taste! We also saved Q15 each on the shuttle to San Pedro by shopping around. Not a bad place in a good location but we stayed at The Yellow House on our two further visits to Antigua and far preferred it there

so by now you may realize that traveling in guatemala is for adventure. adventure travelers will enjoy the comfy rooms, the upper deck overlooking the valley and volcanoes, security & set up, privacy and safety, proximity to the central plaza & market, and THE FOOD. breakfast, lunch & dinner- GREAT!!

tell your taxi to take you to the BLACK CAT INN, it's about one block from the BLACK CAT HOSTEL. the hostel is cool and fun too, but be good to yourself if you deserve it. BLACK CAT INN rules. clean rooms, secure front entrance, smar innkeeper and front desk manager. the beds are not luxurious, but they are comfortable and clean, safe & secure.

it may take a minute to figure out the hot water for the shower- but it gets HOT, for as long as you want. hint-the slower the water comes out-the hotter the water will be.

BLACK CAT provides little hotel soaps. SPLURGE- go to the grocery store one block away-right next to the market entrance, buy a big bottle of shampoo and conditioner for about $1, you won't use it all. leave it for the housekeepers. and you won't have a hassle going through the airport on your departure.

try BLACK CAT FRESH DESSERTS, POSTRES, COOKIES, BROWNIES, EVERY AFTERNOON. TAKE ONE WITH YOU FOR A PICNIC. NONE BETTER. IF YOU LEAVE on a tour earlier than breakfast, ask for a sandwich. it will be like the perfect sandwiches served on 1950's tv shows. perfect. the senoritas take pride in preparing special dishes. they make every dish look special.

at least one night, visit the restaurant one block toward the market, same side of the street as the BLACK CAT INN, and hear the musicians SOL LATINO. you'll be in for a treat. great music-awesome food. there are also concerts in the park-so keep an eye out.

take your time in the market-negotiate, remember each one of your family members, friends, and co workers (girlfriends) for christmas and birthday presents. your new mayan friends will appreciate it and your friends will LOVE YOU LONG TIME.

take a flashlight, and pancho or fleece (and a little picnic snack, and take the tour/hike of VOLCAN PACAYA. take lots of pictures and videos. for the less fit members of your party-consider a horseback ride up the volcano- a life time memory. as you complete the tour and right by your bus, consider buying some treats for the local kids. as much fun as you see in their eyes, you'll even have more fun. PACAYA PACAYA PACAYA PACAYA

in my opinion the BLACK CAT INN is a great rest for any age traveler and any fitness level.

the fitness center looks exactly like the street. GO OUTSIDE AND WALK AROUND. for a higher fitness level. turn off the cable tv, GO OUTIDE AND RUN AROUND. repeat.

there is also a laundry directly across the street.



BLACK CAT INN is safe, secure, clean, comfortable, plenty of hot water, great food, great view from the deck, and extremely reasoably priced. before you leave- splurge for some treats for the kids on the street.

wasn't going to mention it but since you asked-consider an excursion to COPAN RUINAS.
about a 5 hour bus ride each way. spend 3 hours at the ruins- with or without a guide-take some nuts or crackers to feed the parrots-they'll fly right up to you and stand on your arms/shoulders if you let them, and eat right out of your hands-wear sunglasses for protection. then spend one night at COPAN RUINAS, visit the shops, artesan market, ice cream shop. lots of little motels around the square for around $30. try VIA VIA (NO TV) for $12. great food at VIA VIA, and also at the little restaurant directly across the street from via via.

want to have even more fun. buy some ice cream/treats for a few kids on the street.

We stayed here for 6 days during our recent trip and the Inn was great. The included breakfast was awesome & the staff very helpful. Sit on the roof terrace & soak up the panoramic views of the surrounding volcanos during breakfast while planning your day! We saw two rooms & while there might be a slight "musty" smell when the fan is not on, it definitely was not moldy. We live in Belize so are not used to un-air conditioned rooms & are sort of used to this minor inconvenience.

The "other" Black Cat, the hostel, is much rowdier but right around the corner if that is your thing. Do check our Reily's Bar for great beer, food, & entertainment!