A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Asuncion vs. Guatemala City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Asuncion or Guatemala City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Guatemala City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Asuncion or Guatemala City?

Asuncion

Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Asuncion?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $76, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Asuncion and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asuncion $21
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asuncion $42
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Asuncion or Guatemala City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Asuncion


Hotels in Guatemala City


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asuncion $8.30
    Guatemala City $6.22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion

Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $19
  • Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $19
  • Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $26
  • Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $26
  • RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $37
  • RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Transfer: From Guatemala City to El Paredon Beach: $240
  • Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $27
  • Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Guatemala City Hotels to Airport: $40
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
  • San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $34
  • Private transfer from La Aurora Airport to Panajachel: $65
  • Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
  • Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Puerto Quetzal Port: $269

Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Asuncion change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Asuncion $28
    Guatemala City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.

  • Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
  • Cooking and class with Private Guatemalan Chef : $72
  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $90
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asuncion $15
    Guatemala City $1.22

Tours and Activities in Asuncion

For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Asuncion : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $33
  • Asuncion Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $34
  • Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
  • Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
  • Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $110
  • Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus: $115
  • Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
  • Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
  • Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
  • Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
  • Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $230

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:

  • 3 Days Tour in Acatenango Volcano: $240
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $60
  • Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City : $300
  • Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $205
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
  • Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $60
  • Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
  • Antigua Guatemala Half Day Tour: $60
  • Antigua Guatemala Stopover Tour: $75
  • Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
  • Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City : $175
  • Chichicastenango Market Tour: $124

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asuncion $9.74
    Guatemala City $6.90
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Guatemala City, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Asuncion is in South America and Guatemala City is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion than you might in Guatemala City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Guatemala City?

Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion and Guatemala City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.