Guatemala Travel Budget - Visit Guatemala on a Budget or Travel in Style


How much does it cost to travel to Guatemala?

You should plan to spend around $49 (Q380) per day on your vacation in Guatemala. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $14 (Q108) on meals
  • $8.93 (Q69) on local transportation
  • $33 (Q256) on hotels

A one week trip to Guatemala for two people costs, on average, $685 (Q5,319). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $49
    Q380
  • One Week Per person
    $343
    Q2,660
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $685
    Q5,319
  • One Month Per person
    $1,468
    Q11,398
  • One Week For a couple
    $685
    Q5,319
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $1,370
    Q10,639
  • One Month For a couple
    $2,936
    Q22,797
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Guatemala cost?

A one week trip to Guatemala usually costs around $343 (Q2,660) for one person and $685 (Q5,319) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Guatemala on average costs around $685 (Q5,319) for one person and $1,370 (Q10,639) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Guatemala will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Guatemala on average costs around $1,468 (Q11,398) for one person and $2,936 (Q22,797) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




How much do package tours cost in Guatemala?

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Guatemala is $196 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.



Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Guatemala expensive to visit?

Guatemala is a very affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 10% of countries in the world for its affordability. Many budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring this country in depth.

Within Central America, Guatemala is very affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in Central America for its affordability. Very few countries in the region are as affordable as Guatemala.

For more details, see Is Guatemala Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Guatemala?

The average Guatemala trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Guatemala travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) Q256 ($33)
Local Transportation 1 Q69 ($8.93)
Food 2 Q108 ($14)
Entertainment 1 Q174 ($22)
Tips and Handouts 1 Q5 - 16 ($1 - 2)
Alcohol 2 Q30 - 90 ($4 - 12)
Accommodation Budget in Guatemala
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Guatemala is $16 (Q128). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Guatemala is $33 (Q256). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $16
    Q128
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $33
    Q256

Hotel Prices in Guatemala

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Guatemala based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $72. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Local Transportation Budget in Guatemala
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Guatemala is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $8.93 (Q69) per person, per day, on local transportation in Guatemala.


  • Local Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $8.93
    Q69

Recommended Services


Food Budget in Guatemala
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Guatemala can vary, the average cost of food in Guatemala is $14 (Q108) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Guatemala should cost around $5.56 (Q43) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Guatemala is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $14
    Q108

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Guatemala are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Guatemala, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Lunch
    Q60
  • Lunch
    Q25
  • Coffee & Cake
    Q35
  • Bread
    Q5.60
  • Ice Cream
    Q42
  • Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread
    Q23
  • Ice cream
    Q3.00
  • Cake
    Q10


Entertainment Budget in Guatemala
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Guatemala typically cost an average of $22 (Q174) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $22
    Q174

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Guatemala are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Guatemala, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Kayak for 2 Hrs (for 2)
    Q40
  • Indian Nose Hike (for 2)
    Q300
  • Railroad Museum (for 2)
    Q12
  • Santa Maria Trek (for 2)
    Q550
  • Coffee Tour (for 2)
    Q54
  • Kayaking (for 2)
    Q15
  • Canopy Tour (for 2)
    Q300
  • Map of Tikal
    Q25


Tips and Handouts Budget in Guatemala
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Guatemala is $1.34 (Q10) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Guatemala is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $1.34
    Q10

What did other people spend on Tips and Handouts?

Typical prices for Tips and Handouts in Guatemala are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Tips and Handouts prices in Guatemala, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Bathroom Fee
    Q2.00
  • Bathroom Fee
    Q2.00


Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Guatemala
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Guatemala is $44 (Q346), as reported by travelers.


  • Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
    $44
    Q346


Alcohol Budget in Guatemala
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $7.74 (Q60) on alcoholic beverages in Guatemala per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $7.74
    Q60

Recommended

What did other people spend on Alcohol?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Guatemala are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Guatemala, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Two Margaritas
    Q20


Water Budget in Guatemala
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $2.40 (Q19) on bottled water in Guatemala per day. The public water in Guatemala is not usually considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $2.40
    Q19


Guatemala On a Budget
Guatemala Guatemala City
Guatemala has both history and natural beauty. The Mayan culture is prolific throughout the country, beyond the most famous ruins in Tikal. The national parks and beautiful landscapes are equally as mesmerizing. Guatemala is a diverse country with a lot to offer all types of visitors. The country can loosely be divided into five regions. The area around Guatemala City is the Central Highlands. The Western Highlands include Lake Atitlan and many of the modern Mayan villages. The Caribbean Coast has the hottest and most humid climate. There is also boat access to Belize from the Caribbean Coast. The Peten region in the north has the most impressive Mayan ruins. This is also the area with the most jungle environment. Finally, the Pacific Highlands provide the Pacific beaches and hot temperatures.

Whether you're visiting Guatemala for its rich history, impressive culture, beautiful environment, or adventure sports, you won't be disappointed. During one trip you can get lost in the history of this country, visit volcanoes, and meet with the vibrant people. Guatemala is truly a unique and culturally rich country.

Many people fly directly into the countries largest airport, La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. It is also possible to reach the country from its nearby neighbors. There are frequent bus connections from most countries and boat access is available from Belize.
At A Glance
  • Bus travel in Guatemala is truly part of the experience. Referred to as "chicken buses," many of the intercity buses are old school buses that have been colorfully decorated. These are much cheaper than the other tourist oriented bus options and they can offer a fun adventure as well. On occasion the driver may try to raise the fare for foreign travelers. This is generally avoidable if you pay attention to how much others are paying and insist on paying the same fare.

  • The local currency in Guatemala is the Quetzal. There are many places to exchange US dollars, particularly in touristy areas. It can be more difficult to exchange other types of currency so it is recommended that you travel with US dollars. ATMs are available in the larger towns, but if you're going to smaller communities make sure you carry enough cash with you. It can be difficult to find places to exchange travelers checks so this is not a reliable form of currency.

  • If you're shopping for souvenirs in an outdoor market make sure you negotiate. There are some interesting handicrafts made in the country. Some popular options include fabrics and traditional textiles, clothing such as Mayan blouses or skirts, and jade. Other popular souvenirs include coffee, cardamom, and Ron Zacapa Centenario, which is Guatemala's prize winning rum.

  • As with many countries around the world, internet is now widely available throughout the country. Even in the most remote areas you are likely to find an internet connection somewhere. In larger cities, WiFi is available in some restaurants and many hotels also offer it to their guests.

  • Guatemala has a rainy season between the months of May and October. During these times it can be difficult to travel to some of the more remote areas. The hottest months are March and April, and in particular the low lying coastal areas can get uncomfortably hot. In the central and western highlands the temperature is usually mild and can even become cool at night.
Related
Looking for a party hostel in Costa Rica or Cancun? Looking for a budget hostel in Mexico or Costa Rica?
Top Tourist Attractions
While Guatemala has plenty of amazing sights and attractions, some of the highlights are below. The Mayan ruins that can be visitied in various locations (Tikal is the highlight) are a must-see. Also, the jungles are quite popular, as they are teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. For more ideas and suggestions, check out this 2-week backpacking itinerary of Guatemala. The beaches and colonial towns are also very popular destinations for obvious reasons. Finally, many of the volcanoes can be seen on a hiking trip.

Volcan Pacaya: This active volcano last erupted in 2010. It is located near Antigua and offers many hiking trails that are opened to the public. It can be a difficult hike, particularly if you plan to climb it, so be sure and come prepared with many supplies and plenty of time.

El Mirador: This was a major Mayan City during the 6th century BC and was later abandoned during the 9th century. Much of the ruins remain covered by jungle today. The closest village accessible by car is Carmelita and then it is about a five day hike to the ruins.

Chichicastenango Market: Often referred to as "Chichi", this market is a not to be missed shopping destination in Guatemala. It is located about two or three hours southwest of Guatemala City and has everything from local fabrics, masks, wood carvings, pottery and more available. The city also has many different festivals so if possible, try to overlap your visit with one of these events.

Popular Foods
In touristy areas you can find many different types of cuisines, but in the smaller towns your options will be limited to traditional Guatemalan dishes. Guatemalan cuisine is somewhat different than Mexican food in that it is not as spicy and prepared with somewhat different techniques.

Frijoles negros: This Guatemalan dish is similar to a thick soup and is made with black beans. It is generally flavored with salt, ham hocks, onions, garlic, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, chili peppers, vinegar and more.

Tamales: Tamales are a popular food throughout the country. The dish is made by filling corn meal with anything from meat and cheese to vegetables. They are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked through.

Churrasco: This is a popular dish throughout the country and is often served at family gatherings or during celebrations or festivals. The meat is grilled and served with chirmol on top. Chirmol is a red sauce that is made with chopped tomatoes and onions. Corn, guacamole, grilled potatoes, stewed black bean and rice or tortillas are often served on the side.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.