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

Should you visit Cabarete or Guatemala City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cabarete 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: Cabarete or Guatemala City?

Cabarete

Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete is a vibrant beach town known for its stunning coastline, world-class water sports, and lively nightlife. Originally a small fishing village, Cabarete has transformed into a hub for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.

Traveling to Cabarete on a budget is entirely feasible with a bit of planning. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to affordable hotels and guesthouses. Eating on a budget is easy in Cabarete, with numerous local eateries and street vendors serving delicious Dominican dishes at reasonable prices. Look for "comedores," small local restaurants where you can enjoy meals like "la bandera" (rice, beans, and meat) for under $5. Public transportation in Cabarete is both affordable and convenient. The local "guaguas" (minibuses) and "motoconchos" (motorcycle taxis) are inexpensive ways to get around.

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 Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Cabarete?

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 Cabarete is $180, 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 Cabarete and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cabarete $74
    Guatemala City $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cabarete $148
    Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Cabarete and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Cabarete 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 Cabarete


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: Cabarete Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cabarete $42
    Guatemala City $6.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete

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

  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $22
  • Puerto Plata Airport Transfer to Sosua: $30
  • Puerto Plata: Private Airport Transfer to/from Cabarete: $40
  • Cibao Airport (STI) to Sosua/Cabarete - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $45
  • Transfer privado from cabarete to Puerto Plata Airport: $49
  • Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
  • Sosua/Cabarete to Puerto Plata Airport (POP) - Departure Transfer: $59
  • Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
  • Transfers from Santo Domingo Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
  • Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $30
  • San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $41
  • Private transfer from La Aurora Airport to Panajachel: $78
  • Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $78
  • Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
  • Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
  • Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
  • Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254

Is it cheaper to fly into Cabarete or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Cabarete 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
    Cabarete $72
    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 Experience in Guatemala from Market to Table: $23
  • Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $195
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
  • Pacaya Volcano Tour with Pizza Made on Volcanic Heat: $275
  • Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cabarete $53
    Guatemala City $1.23

Tours and Activities in Cabarete

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

  • Deep Caves in Cabarete with Guided Tour and Swimming: $45
  • Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $80
  • Buggie & atv adventure Jungle Adventure: $80
  • Jamao al Norte: Hidden River Kayak Adventure & Nature Escape: $80
  • VIP All-Inclusive City Tour: Luxury Beach Experience: $85
  • Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
  • Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
  • Puerto Plata Half-Day Yásica River Tubing Adventure: $95
  • Excursions 3 in 1 Monkey Home Waterfalls And City Tours: $104
  • 27 Waterfalls: Zip 'n Splash Adventure with Horse Ride: $125
  • 4 Wheel Adventure: $127
  • Private: Cabarete ATV Countryside & Beach Adventure: $127

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • 1 Day Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City: $150
  • 2-Day Tour: Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan and Hobbitenango: $299
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $199
  • 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
  • Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
  • Antigua City Tour Full Day From Guatemala City: $60
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $89
  • Antigua Guatemala Cultural Tour History and Gastronomy: $110
  • Antigua Guatemala Express Half Day Colonial Charm Tour: $45
  • Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Shared City Tour: $71
  • Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cabarete $17
    Guatemala City $6.97

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 Cabarete and Guatemala City, we can see that Cabarete is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cabarete is in Caribbean Islands 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 Cabarete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabarete 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 Cabarete Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cabarete or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Cabarete 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.