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

Should you visit Chengdu 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 Chengdu 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: Chengdu or Guatemala City?

Chengdu

Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.

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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Chengdu?

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 Chengdu is $71, 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 Chengdu and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chengdu $22
    Guatemala City $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chengdu $44
    Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Chengdu 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 Chengdu


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: Chengdu Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chengdu $6.34
    Guatemala City $6.30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:

  • Panda Research Base Ticket or Private Transfer Tour: $15
  • Leshan Giant Buddha Entry Ticket with Optional Guide & Transfer: $18
  • Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Tour with Guide or Transfer: $20
  • Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
  • Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu: $28
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
  • Private Transfer Chengdu (TFU & CTU) Airport Pickup Service: $29
  • Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Hassle-Free & Comfortable Airport Transfer Service: $30
  • Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Airport Transfer for Large Groups – Private Bus: $195
  • From Guatemala City One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey: $49
  • From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59
  • Guatemala Airport (GUA) to San Felipe de Lara - Arrival Transfer: $185
  • Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $164
  • One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
  • One way private transfer to Antigua: $69
  • One way shared transfer to Panajachel: $44
  • Private Museums Tour with Transfers: $225
  • La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
  • PRIVATE TRANSFER From Airport/Guate City to ANTIGUA or Vice-versa: $40
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $26

Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Chengdu 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
    Chengdu $40
    Guatemala City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu

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

  • Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $39
  • Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
  • Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
  • Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
  • Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
  • Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
  • Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
  • Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
  • Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
  • Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
  • Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
  • Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $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 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
  • Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chengdu $17
    Guatemala City $1.23

Tours and Activities in Chengdu

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

  • Free Walking Tour in Chengdu, Experience the city like a Local: $5.00
  • Bamboo Weaving Experience and Chengdu Wenshu Monastery: $5.00
  • Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $9.00
  • Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
  • Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $14
  • Chengdu Giant Panda Base Ticket / Optional Private Guide Service: $15
  • Ticket reservation for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base: $15
  • Chengdu Panda Base Tickets with Optional Private Tour Upgrade: $16
  • Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $16
  • Half-Day Panda Base Tour with Guide Option: $17
  • Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum Ticket for Adult: $18
  • Panda Breeding Base Tickets Booking: $19

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City: $20
  • Historic Center Walking Tour; Art and History: $27
  • Volcano-Grown Coffee Tasting Experience: $28
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
  • Walking Tour: $35
  • Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
  • Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
  • City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
  • Night Photo Tour in Guatemala City: $50
  • Heart of Guided with a local Tour Guide: $50
  • Historical and natural bike tour in Guatemala City: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chengdu $4.20
    Guatemala City $6.98

Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu

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

  • Chengdu Pub Crawl: $10
  • Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138

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


Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Guatemala City?

Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu 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.