Which place is cheaper, Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Isla de Ometepe? 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 Isla de Ometepe?
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.
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesIsla de Ometepe Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $55Isla de Ometepe $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $55, while the average daily cost in Isla de Ometepe is $44. 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 Isla de Ometepe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Isla de Ometepe $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Isla de Ometepe $26
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Isla de Ometepe
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Isla de Ometepe? 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 $6.17Isla de Ometepe $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $25
- La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $25
- Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $25
- Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $26
- Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $26
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $27
- Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $33
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua - One-Way: $33
- San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $41
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Isla de Ometepe?
Prices for flights to both Isla de Ometepe 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 $27Isla de Ometepe $22
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
- MAYAN COOKING Class with Private Chef: $75
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $90
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.21Isla de Ometepe $13
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 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
- Walking Tour: $35
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
- Guatemala city walking tour on afternoon 14.00, 2 persons and up: $39
- Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $49
- Private Night City Photo Tour in Guatemala: $50
- Half Day Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $50
Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.84Isla de Ometepe $8.86
Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City
Also in Guatemala City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Isla de Ometepe, we can see that Guatemala City is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Guatemala City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guatemala City than you might in Isla de Ometepe.
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 Isla de Ometepe Expensive?.
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.