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

Should you visit Dahab or Guatemala City?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Dahab and Guatemala City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Dahab or Guatemala City?

Dahab

Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Dahab?

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 Dahab is $24, 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 Dahab and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dahab $8.87
    Guatemala City $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dahab $18
    Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Dahab and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Dahab 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 Dahab


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: Dahab Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dahab $2.96
    Guatemala City $6.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab

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

  • Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): $35
  • Sharm el-Sheikh: 1-Way or Round-Trip Transfer to Dahab: $42
  • Private Transfer Between Nuweibaa City and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels: $60
  • Private Transfer From Dahab To Taba border group from 1 to 4: $100
  • Private Pickup Transfers From Dahab To Cairo: $195

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Transfer from La Aurora airport to Antigua Guatemala.: $80
  • Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • 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 Dahab or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Dahab 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
    Dahab $12
    Guatemala City $27
Typical Food Prices in Dahab

For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    $1.90
  • Juice
    $0.10
  • Breakfast for Two
    $0.60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
  • Cooking Experience in Guatemala from Market to Table: $60
  • 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.
    Dahab $6.24
    Guatemala City $1.23

Tours and Activities in Dahab

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

  • Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $30
  • Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
  • Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
  • luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
  • Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $41
  • 4x4 Jeep Adventure from Dahab: $42
  • Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
  • Seascope Submarine Tour from Dahab: $45
  • Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
  • Mount Sinai Sunrise and St Catherine Monastery Tour from Dahab: $50
  • Private Day Tour To Blue Lagoon And Ras Abu Galum From Dahab: $65
  • Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65

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-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: $78
  • Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Shared City Tour: $60
  • Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $79
  • Antigua Guatemala NIGHT Photo Tour FROM Guatemala City: $125
  • Chichicastenango Day Tour from Guatemala City: $115
  • City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dahab $3.70
    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 Dahab and Guatemala City, we can see that Guatemala City is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dahab is in Africa 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 Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Guatemala City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guatemala City than you might in Dahab.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dahab Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dahab or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Dahab 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.