Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Guatemala City?
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 Guatemala City or Boquete?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Boquete? 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 Boquete?
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.
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesBoquete Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Boquete $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Boquete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $25Boquete $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $50Boquete $44
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Boquete
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Boquete? 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 Boquete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.28Boquete $5.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- Private Departure Transfer:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport(GUA): $24
- Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $26
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
- La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
- PRIVATE TRANSFER From Airport/Guate City to ANTIGUA or Vice-versa: $40
- San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:
- Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $165
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Boquete?
Prices for flights to both Boquete 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
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Food Meals for one dayGuatemala City $27Boquete $32
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
- 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.Guatemala City $1.23Boquete $17
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City: $20
- Historic Center Walking Tour; Art and History: $27
- Volcano-Grown Coffee Tasting Experience: $28
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Walking Tour: $35
- Guatemala city walking tour only weekends. 2 persons and up: $39
- Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Historical and natural bike tour in Guatemala City: $50
- Heart of Guided with a local Tour Guide: $50
- Half Day Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $50
- Half Day Tour Of Guatemala City: $60
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Taste Panama Coffee Tasting Experience: $15
- Coffee Tasting Experience-Los Molinos Hotel-Panama's Top Product: $25
- Roast Your Own Coffee: Bajo Boquete Expert-Led Experience: $25
- Cloud Forest Wildlife Hike Tour: $36
- Cangilones Mini Canyons Tour: $38
- Hands-On Coffee Experience with Tasting: $40
- Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour: $46
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- River Tubing - Fun and Nature Experience: $55
- Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
- Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.96Boquete $4.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Boquete, we can see that Boquete is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Boquete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boquete 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 Boquete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Boquete?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Boquete, 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.