Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Cabo San Lucas? 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 Cabo San Lucas?
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.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Cabo San Lucas $173
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Cabo San Lucas $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Cabo San Lucas $124
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Cabo San Lucas? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.27Cabo San Lucas $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- From Guatemala City One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey: $49
- From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59
- One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $69
- One way shared transfer to Panajachel: $44
- Private Museums Tour with Transfers: $225
- La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
- PRIVATE TRANSFER From Airport/Guate City to ANTIGUA or Vice-versa: $40
- Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $26
- Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
- Private Departure Transfer:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport(GUA): $24
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- Los Cabos Airport Roundtrip Shuttle Transfer: $36
- Los Cabos Airport Private Transfer SJD to Multiple Destinations: $38
- Los Cabos Airport (SJD) to San Jose del Cabo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- San Jose del Cabo to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) Departure Transfer: $71
- Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port- Departure Private Transfer: $73
- Private Transfer from Cabo San Lucas City to Cabo San Lucas Port: $73
- Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas -Arrival Transfer: $79
- One Way Private Transfer Los Cabos Airport to San Jose Cabo: $80
- Private Luxury One Way Transfers in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- One Way Private Transfer Los Cabos Airport to Cabo San Lucas.: $95
- Private Minivan Transfer from San Jose Airport to Cabo San Lucas: $95
- Private Los Cabos Airport Transfer: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas 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 $27Cabo San Lucas $87
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 with Great Volcano Views: $205
- Pacaya Volcano Tour with Pizza Made on Volcanic Heat: $275
- Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.
- Cabo Sunset E-Bike Beach Ride with Mexican Dinner and Margaritas: $79
- Flavors of Authentic Mexican Food Tour: $85
- Taste Tacos & Street Food Like a Local: Cabo San Lucas Food Tour: $85
- Sunset Tour of Everything Cabo! Includes dinner and open bar!: $89
- Sunset Fajita Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $89
- Private Mexican Cooking Class in Your Cabo San Lucas Villa or Condo: $90
- Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
- San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $90
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- Pirate Ship Sunset Dinner and Show in Los Cabos: $99
- Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar on Cabo Wave: $99
- Yo Ho Pirate Sunset Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.23Cabo San Lucas $42
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 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 everyday 2 persons and up: $39
- Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
- Historical and natural bike tour in Guatemala City: $50
- Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $50
- Heart of Guided with a local Tour Guide: $50
- Antigua City Tour Full Day From Guatemala City: $60
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
- Half-Day Guatemala City Tour: $60
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour to Arch in the only Clear Boat in Cabo Cruise Hotel PICKUP!: $11
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Arch in Cabo San Lucas: $15
- Cabo Clear Boat Tour to the Arch: Hotel Pickup Available: $16
- Cabo Clear Boat Tour to the Arch: Hotel Pickup Available: $16
- Cabo San Lucas Arch and Lover's Beach Boat Tour: $19
- Cabo San Lucas Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Arch with Beach Time: $19
- Side by Side UTV Adventure and Tequila Tasting in Cabo: $20
- Cabo San Lucas Arch Tour and we go down to Playa del Amor: $20
- Side by Side Adventure in Los Cabos UTV Experience: $20
- Cabo San Lucas Arch Tour by Glass Bottom Boat: $21
- Tour of Cabo San Lucas and Playa del Amor by Luxury Yacht: $24
- Cabo Glass Bottom Boat Arch Tour for Cruise Passengers: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.95Cabo San Lucas $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Cabo Bar Crawl to the Best Bars and Clubs in Cabo: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Cabo San Lucas?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Cabo San Lucas, 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.