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

Should you visit Guatemala City or Atlanta?

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

Should I visit Guatemala City or Atlanta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Guatemala City or Atlanta?

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.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Atlanta or Guatemala City?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $44, while the average daily cost in Atlanta is $173. 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 Guatemala City and Atlanta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $24
    Atlanta $90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    Atlanta $180
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Atlanta

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Atlanta? 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 Guatemala City


Hotels in Atlanta


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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices and Atlanta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.18
    Atlanta $44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • From Panajachel: Transfer to Guatemala City: $240
  • Transfer: From Guatemala City to El Paredon Beach: $240
  • Guatemala Airport to San Felipe de Lara RoundTrip PrivateTransfer: $154
  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
  • Guatemala City Airport(GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
  • Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $77
  • 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 City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $66

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Atlanta

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:


  • MARTA Subway Ticket
    $4.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta

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

  • Hartsfield Jackson Airport (ATL) to Lithia Springs - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
  • Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Lithia Springs -Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Hartsfield Jackson Airport (ATL) to Lithia Springs - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $66
  • Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Downtown to Atlanta Airport: $67
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Atlanta Airport (ATL): $80
  • Private Transfer from Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Atlanta City: $94
  • Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta - Arrival Private Transfer: $97
  • Atlanta to Atlanta Airport (ATL) Departure Private Transfer: $97
  • Private Transfer: H. J. Airport ATL to Atlanta in Business Car: $119
  • Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL by Luxury SUV: $127
  • Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL in Luxury SUV: $133
  • Arrival Transfer: Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta in Luxury SUV: $133

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Atlanta?

Prices for flights to both Atlanta and Guatemala City 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
    Guatemala City $15
    Atlanta $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Atlanta

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:


  • Fast Food Lunch (for 2)
    $15
  • Lunch
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta

For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 2 Hour Guided Wood Fired Pizza Class in Atlanta: $55
  • City Lights Atlanta Night-Time Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
  • City Lights Night Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
  • 2 Hour Historic Market Food Tour and Hands-On Biscuit Class: $70
  • Historic Market Food Tour and Biscuit Cooking Class: $70
  • Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour: $99
  • Food Tour of Inman Park and the Atlanta Beltline: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $1.21
    Atlanta $56

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • 2-Day Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City or Antigua: $265
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $130
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
  • 4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $65
  • Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City : $300
  • 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
  • Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City : $175
  • Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150
  • Chichicastenango Market Tour: $124

Tours and Activities in Atlanta

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

  • Civil Rights Self-Guided Audio App Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Atlanta Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.00
  • Olympic Park & Pemberton Place: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Civil Rights Movement in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Atlanta Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Atlanta Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • SkyView Ferris Wheel Ticket: $16
  • Atlanta Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $18
  • Skip the Ticket Line: World of Coca-Cola Admission in Atlanta: $23
  • World of Coca-Cola Skip-the-Ticket-Line Entry: $23
  • LEGO® Discovery Center Admission Ticket: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.85
    Atlanta $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:

  • Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl and Cabaret Show: $36
  • ATLANTA Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl : $40
  • Half-Day Wine Tastings in the North Georgia Mountains : $115
  • North Georgia Mountains Two Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $137
  • Bartram Trail Hike plus Wine Tasting: $159
  • North Georgia Mountains Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $165
  • North Georgia Mountains Private Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $180


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


Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Atlanta?

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