Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Flores?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Flores 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 Flores 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: Flores or Guatemala City?
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
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 Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
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Flores Prices
Guatemala PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlores $43Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $43, 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 Flores and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlores $8.78Guatemala City $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlores $18Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Flores and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Flores 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Flores Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Flores $8.01Guatemala City $6.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer : Mayan World Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
- Belize/Caye Caulke/San Pedro Van or Ferry Transfer: $20
- Tikal National Park Guided Tour with Transfers: $24
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce, Izabal: $39
- From Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Tikal: $39
- Transfer from Flores to Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Tourists Only: $40
- One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $160
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 Flores or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Flores 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
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Food Meals for one dayFlores $23Guatemala 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.
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Flores $20Guatemala City $1.23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
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Map of Tikal$3.28
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour and transportation with tour guide to Tikal.: $20
- Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- From Flowers Sunset Tour in Tikal: $25
- Yaxha Shared Sunset Tour with Transportation & Guide: $25
- Tikal Sightseeing Tour: from Mundo Maya Airport in Flores: $30
- Shared tour to Tikal from Flores Island: $30
- Tikal Ruins Day Tour from Flores: $31
- From Tikal Ruins Guided Tour: $31
- From Yaxha Ruins Guided Tour: $36
- From Tikal Sunrise Archaeological Tour: $37
- From 2-Day Semuc Champey Tour with Caves & Tubing: $38
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlores $21Guatemala City $6.97
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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Two Margaritas$2.62
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 Flores and Guatemala City, we can see that Guatemala City is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Flores Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Flores or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Flores 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.