Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Cancun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cancun and Guatemala City can help you decide which place is right for you.
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cancun is $148, 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 Cancun and Guatemala City in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cancun 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cancun:
Also for Cancun, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Cancun 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.
For Cancun, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Cancun, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cancun's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Cancun, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
Also in Cancun, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cancun and Guatemala City, we can see that Cancun is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cancun is in North 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 Cancun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cancun 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 Cancun Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Cancun. When comparing the sizes of Cancun 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.