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

Should you visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza 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: Fortaleza or Guatemala City?

Fortaleza

A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.

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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Fortaleza?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, 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 Fortaleza and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $30
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $60
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza


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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $21
    Guatemala City $6.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • Transfer leaving from the Fortaleza waterfront to Beach Park: $8.97
  • Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $9.58
  • Transfer to Beach Park: $12
  • Beach Park Round-Trip Transfer: $13
  • Fortaleza to Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) - Departure Transfer: $16
  • Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza-Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $16
  • Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Roundtrip transfer from Pinto Martins Airport to Hotels in Fortaleza: $18
  • Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Fortaleza City: $25
  • Private transfer: Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza: $26
  • Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
  • Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
  • One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
  • PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Fortaleza 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
    Fortaleza $24
    Guatemala City $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $15
    Guatemala City $1.21

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.

  • Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $11
  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $14
  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $17
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $18
  • One Day Bus Tour of Fortaleza and Cumbuco Beach: $18
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
  • The colorful sands of Morro Branco beach - Full Day Tour: $22

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
  • Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
  • Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
  • Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
  • Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150
  • Chichicastenango Market Tour: $116
  • City Tour - Test Fly by Escuela de Flight S.A: $158
  • Climb Active Pacaya Volcano + Box Lunch at the Top - Shared Tour: $75
  • Combo Tour: Colonial Antigua & Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $65
  • Culinary Experience in Guatemala City: $15
  • Discover a Lagoon on the Crater of Ipala Volcano - Private Full Day Tour: $205

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $9.97
    Guatemala City $6.84


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Guatemala City, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza is in South 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 Fortaleza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Guatemala City?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza 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.