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

Should you visit Buzios or Guatemala City?

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

Should I visit Buzios 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: Buzios or Guatemala City?

Buzios

Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.

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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Buzios?

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 Buzios is $91, 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 Buzios and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $36
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $72
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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 Buzios


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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $18
    Guatemala City $6.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

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

  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $45
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer : $45
  • Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
  • Rio de Janeiro Transfer from Buzios to Airport (GIG)(SDU): $73
  • Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $91
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $115
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $115
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $118
  • Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $118
  • Private transfer Minivan from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Buzios: $134

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $209
  • Private Transfer - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $209
  • Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
  • Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $167
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban: $161
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $90
  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
  • Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan : $67
  • Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Buzios 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
    Buzios $40
    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.

  • PRIVATE MAYAN COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF EN Guatemala City: $65
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $175
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buzios $25
    Guatemala City $1.22

Tours and Activities in Buzios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.

  • Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $11
  • Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo : $13
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $19
  • Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $23
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $26
  • Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $27
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $31
  • Buzios Trolley City Tour: $31
  • Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $38
  • Underwater Adventure in Diving and Snorkeling: $46
  • Schooner Tour in Buzios - Departure from Buzios: $51

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $195
  • 3 Days Tour in Acatenango Volcano: $240
  • 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
  • 4-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $70
  • Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
  • Antigua Guatemala & Guatemala City Tour: $65
  • Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
  • Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $65
  • Antigua Guatemala Stopover Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $17
    Guatemala City $6.93

Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City

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

  • Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105


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


Which is Bigger, Buzios or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.