Which place is cheaper, Banos or Guatemala City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Guatemala City or Banos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Banos? 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 Banos?
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.
Banos
Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.
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 Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $44Banos $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $44, while the average daily cost in Banos is $46. 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 Banos in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Banos $16
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Banos $32
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Banos
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Banos? 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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices and Banos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.17Banos $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
- PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
- Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Banos?
Prices for flights to both Banos 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 dayGuatemala City $15Banos $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
Typical Food Prices in Banos
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:
-
Dinner$13
-
Ice cream$1.50
-
Coffee$2.50
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.21Banos $19
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Culinary Experience in Guatemala City: $15
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
- Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
- Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
- UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
- Tour around antigua's villages: $50
- Half-Day Guatemala City Tour : $55
- 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
- Guatemala City Afternoon Sightseeing Tour: $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banos
Here are a few typical costs in Banos for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Two Rented Bikes for the Day$10
-
Cost to see Waterfall$2.00
-
Day at the Spa$45
-
2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)$10
-
Entrance to Waterfall$2.00
Tours and Activities in Banos
Here are a few actual costs in Banos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adventure Circuit 4 activities in 1. All within an impressive cascade: $25
- Canopy Ziplining in Puntzan Adventure Park: $26
- 2 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Banos: $30
- Canyoning Adventure Tour in the Ravine: $30
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience in Chamana: $30
- Private Canyoning Experience in Baños de Agua Santa Ecuador: $30
- Full Day Jungle Tour: $32
- Puyo Jungle Tour in 1 Day: $35
- Full Day Guided Tour in the Ecuadorian Amazon: $35
- Pailón del Diablo | Waterfall Route | Tour for 3 hours: $35
- Adventure and Fun River Rafting in Baños Ecuador: $35
- One day tour in the jungle. all inclusive.: $39
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.84Banos $9.74
Typical Alcohol Prices in Banos
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Banos from other travelers:
-
Beer$4.00
When comparing the travel costs between Guatemala City and Banos, we can see that Banos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Guatemala City is in Central America and Banos is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Banos Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Banos?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Banos, 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.