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

Should you visit Bilbao or Guatemala City?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Guatemala City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Bilbao or Guatemala City?

Bilbao

The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.

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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Bilbao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €137, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is €40. 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 Bilbao and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bilbao 72
    Guatemala City 22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bilbao 144
    Guatemala City 44
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Bilbao 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 Bilbao


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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bilbao 26
    Guatemala City 5.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $62
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $73
  • Private Transfer on arrival and departure in Bilbao: $74
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $77
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao City Hotels to Bilbao Cruise Port: $77
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Bilbao Airport: $83
  • Bilbao Airport to the Basque Country: Private Transfers: $94
  • Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center Transfer: $116
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport: $159
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Vitoria Airport : $159
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Bilbao Cruise Port: $189
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Elciego town: $206

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Antigua Guatemala: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
  • From Guatemala City One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey: $54
  • From One Way Private Transfers to Panajachel: $210
  • From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59
  • From Panajachel: Transfer to Guatemala City: $240
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $68
  • Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $79
  • One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
  • Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Bilbao 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
    Bilbao 45
    Guatemala City 14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao

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

  • Bilbao Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $81
  • Basque Food Tour with Guide: $87
  • The High End Bilbao Food Tour for Foodies: $100
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $105
  • Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $113
  • The High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $113
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $116
  • The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $117
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $119
  • Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $139
  • Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $147
  • Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $161

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
  • 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.
    Bilbao 29
    Guatemala City 1.09

Tours and Activities in Bilbao

Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $4.43
  • Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.43
  • Bilbao Old Town Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.83
  • Highlights App Guided Tour with Puzzles: $6.64
  • ENJOY PURE HAPPINESS: A PURR-FECT CAT EXPERIENCE !: $7.48
  • Bilbao (Old Town): Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $9.49
  • Bilbao (Monumental): Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $9.49
  • San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
  • Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $21
  • 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $22
  • Bilbao Historical Tour: $22
  • Bilbao night tour: $22

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • Guided Walking Tour in Guatemala City: $25
  • Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
  • Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
  • Guatemala City; walking tour: $35
  • Private Tour: Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour from Antigua Guatemala: $35
  • UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
  • Guatemala city walking tour on afternoon 14.00, 2 persons and up: $39
  • Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
  • Private Night City Photo Tour in Guatemala: $50
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Tour : $55
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bilbao 21
    Guatemala City 6.18

Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao

Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unique Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier - In Bilbao: $55
  • Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $56
  • Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $82
  • From La Rioja Wineries Day Trip with Wine Tastings: $83
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $183
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $187
  • Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $194
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $249
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $255
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Vitoria: $261
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Bilbao: $261
  • Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $266


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Guatemala City, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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.