How much does it cost to travel to Guatemala City?
You should plan to spend around $44 (Q343) per day on your vacation in Guatemala City. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $15 (Q119) on meals
- $6.17 (Q48) on local transportation
- $48 (Q374) on hotels
A one week trip to Guatemala City for two people costs, on average, $618 (Q4,799). 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.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Guatemala City 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 City expensive to visit?
Guatemala City is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Guatemala, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring Guatemala City in depth.
Within Central America, Guatemala City is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Central America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Guatemala City.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Guatemala City Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Guatemala City?
The average Guatemala City trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Guatemala City travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
Q374
($48)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
Q48
($6)
|
|
Food 2
|
Q119
($15)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
Q9.38
($1)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
Q27 -
80
($3 - 10)
|
Accommodation Budget in Guatemala City
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Guatemala City is $24 (Q187). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Guatemala City is $48 (Q374). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Guatemala City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Guatemala City is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $6.17 (Q48) per person, per day, on local transportation in Guatemala City.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$6.17
Q48
How much does it cost to go to Guatemala City? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Guatemala City will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Guatemala City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Guatemala City can vary, the average cost of food in Guatemala City is $15 (Q119) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Guatemala City should cost around $6.13 (Q48) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Guatemala City is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$15
Q119
Entertainment Budget in Guatemala City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Guatemala City typically cost an average of $1.21 (Q9.38) 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.
$1.21
Q9.38
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Guatemala City
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 City is $30 (Q233), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$30
Q233
Alcohol Budget in Guatemala City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $6.84 (Q53) on alcoholic beverages in Guatemala City per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$6.84
Q53
Water Budget in Guatemala City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.97 (Q7.50) on bottled water in Guatemala City per day. The public water in Guatemala City is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.97
Q7.50
Guatemala City On a Budget
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Sights
Two of the most impressive architectural sights of Guatemala City lie at its center in the vicinity of Parque Central. The National Palace of Culture is one of these sights with a history dating back its construction from 1939 to 1943. The second of these sights is the Cathedral of Guatemala City, decorated in baroque and classical elements that have survived several earthquakes since its construction began in 1783. In addition to these grandiose examples of architecture, Guatemala City is also known for its museums. Some of the best include the Ixchel Museum of traditional costumes located at the campus of Universidad Francisco Marroquín, a museum of modern art, and a natural history museum, amongst others. There are also a handful of museums dedicated to the archaeology of the Mayan civilization, some of which include Popol Vuh Museum, Archaeology and Ethnology Museum, and the Museo Miraflores. There is even an early Maya ruin right in the heart of the city called Kaminaljuyu.
Other highlights include La Aurora Zoo (Zone 13) and a relief map of Guatemala (Zone 2) from 1902 that is so extensive it needs to be viewed from an observation tower.
Neighborhoods
Guatemala City's Parque Central marks the central plaza of activity. The square is always bustling with people and vendors going about business beneath the shadows of the imposing National Palace of Culture and the Cathedral of Guatemala City. This area of the city marks Zone 1 out of 22 in all. Also in Zone 1 are a number of museums, the downtown historic district, and many streets and markets to explore. Zone 2 is home to a park and baseball stadium, Zone 3 includes Guatemala City General Cemetery, and Zone 13 is home to the La Aurora Zoo as well as the airport. Each zone has its own defining characteristics, for example, Zone 10 (aka Zona Viva) is known as a more affluent district with a high concentration of bars, restaurants, and hotels as well as shopping malls and office buildings. Beyond zones, there are a number of pedestrian squares and parks scattered throughout the city in addition to Parque Central.
Activities
Guatemala City is a place where you can get lost in a chaotic culture, taking in the sights and sounds and flavors of it all. There are a number of impressive historic structures as well as museums to occupy days of activity. The nightlife in Zona Viva is especially lively, while the daytime center lies at Parque Central. There are also a number of shopping malls and plazas to venture into as well as a handful of markets to explore. If you wish to take a break from the bustle, you can escape to any other Guatemalan destination easily as Guatemala City is a hub for transportation. There are also opportunities to get out and hike the volcanoes of the area, the nearest being Volcan Pacaya.
Food and Dining
Being Guatemala's capital city, Guatemala City has just about every kind of food you could ask for, from international fare to American fast food chains. Sampling street food can be risky, but also is a great way to experience a variety of local flavors. Guatemalan cuisine prominently features corn, chilies, and beans as key ingredients as well as dishes with rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, and tortillas. Tamales are a common local favorite. They come in a variety of ways, but basically consist of a dish made of masa (or maize), which is steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf and usually filled with meat, fruits, and/or nuts. Other main dishes include a seafood soup with plantain slices called tapado, a variety of stews made with meat, vegetables, and spices, as well as a kind of stuffed pepper dish called chiles rellenos. Desserts typically consist of banana bread, a Spanish rice pudding called arrroz con leche, and chick peas in syrup, amongst many others.
Transportation
The airport serving Guatemala City is La Aurora International Airport located in the city's southern part in Zone 13. There are daily arrivals from the USA, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. The only flight available within the country is between Guatemala City and
Flores.
By car, Central American highways CA-1 and CA-9 run through Guatemala City.
By bus, there are "chicken buses" available from almost any place in Guatemala to Guatemala City. Be aware that these buses are poorly maintained recycled school buses with drivers who do not always adhere to speed limits, and sometime carry suspicious passengers. The safest method of travel is to make arrangements with a cab or shuttle company ahead of time.
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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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.