Which place is cheaper, Cusco 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 Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Cusco? 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 Cusco?
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.
Cusco
Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.
The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.
Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.
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 Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesCusco Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Cusco $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $66. 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 Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $25Cusco $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $50Cusco $50
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Cusco? 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 Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.28Cusco $11
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 Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $26
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $30
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $32
- La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- One-Way Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $7.00
- One-Way Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $7.00
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Transfer: $9.00
- Transfer Cusco Airport to your Hotel in Cusco: $10
- Private transfer from your hotel in downtown Cusco to the Airport: $11
- Private transfer from Cusco Airport to central hotels: $11
- Private transfers from Cuzco Airport to Hotels and Sacred Valley: $12
- Transfer Cusco Airport - Hotel or Train Station: $12
- Cusco Private Transfer to Poroy Railway Station: $15
- Transfer from Cusco city to the airport: $15
- Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer: $15
- Private Transfers From Cusco Airport To Hotels: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco 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 $27Cusco $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Cooking Experience in Guatemala from Market to Table: $23
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.38
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Mango$0.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Short Peruvian Cooking Class by Pete: $30
- Cooking Class: Lomo Saltado, Papa Huancaina, Pisco Sour in Cusco: $49
- Dinner Show at SUYU a Peruvian Gastronomic and Experience: $53
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- Cooking Class in Sacred Valley 8 Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco: $57
- San Pedro Market Tour with Peruvian Cooking Class: $57
- Cooking classes A tour through the flavors in Cusco: $60
- Half-Day Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $62
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Cooking Class Peruvian Culinary Experience with Local Chefs: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.23Cusco $32
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
- 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Walking Tour: $35
- Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
- Antigua Guatemala Express Half Day Colonial Charm Tour: $45
- Heart of Guided with a local Tour Guide: $50
- Night Photo Tour in Guatemala City: $50
- Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $50
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.98
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Discover Cusco with Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $9.60
- City tour in Cusco.: $9.80
- Cultural & Historic Walking Tour with Local Drinks: $10
- Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary® Admission Ticket: $10
- City Tour in Cusco & visit Museum South American Camelid: $10
- City Tour - Lugares destacado en Cusco + Experiencia Fotográfica: $11
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $12
- Explore Cusco Highlights in a Half Day City Tour: $12
- Excursion to Moray & Maras - Salt Mines || Group tour ||: $12
- Cusco City Tour in Half Day: $13
- City Tour Cusco, Sacsayhuamán, Tambomachay, Catedral Cusco: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.97Cusco $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience: $22
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Cusco, we can see that Cusco 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 Cusco is in South 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 Cusco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cusco 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 Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Cusco?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Cusco, 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.