Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Belize City or Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or Guatemala City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Belize City or Guatemala City?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
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 The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88Guatemala City $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $44. 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 Belize City and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49Guatemala City $24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Belize City 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.
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: Belize City Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.81Guatemala City $6.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Belize City to Philip Goldson Airport BZE Departure Transfer: $23
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Belize: $25
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $25
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $62
- Private Transfer from Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City Port: $62
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
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 Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
- 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: $52
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Puerto Quetzal Port: $75
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlán : $125
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban: $161
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Belize City 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 dayBelize City $27Guatemala City $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour - fish farm & restaurant : $80
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.Belize City $29Guatemala City $1.21
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Cucumber Beach and City Tour: $49
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $50
- Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $65
- Zip-line Canopy Tour from Belize City: $65
- Hassle free Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City with Lunch: $65
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
- Belize: Zip Line Canopy Tours: $80
- Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour from Belize City: $80
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Belize: Cave Tubing Adventure: $85
- Belize: Altun Ha Tour "Water of the Rock": $85
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 2 Day Tour: Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan from Guatemala City: $150
- 2-Day Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City or Antigua: $265
- 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $130
- 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $60
- 4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $70
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City : $300
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
- Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
- Antigua Guatemala Half Day Tour: $60
- Antigua Guatemala Stopover Tour: $75
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12Guatemala City $6.87
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Guatemala City, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Belize City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belize City 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 Belize City Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Belize City 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.
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.