Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Koh Pha Ngan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $58. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $25Koh Pha Ngan $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $50Koh Pha Ngan $50
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.30Koh Pha Ngan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Airport Transfer for Large Groups – Private Bus: $195
- From Guatemala City One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey: $49
- From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59
- Guatemala Airport (GUA) to San Felipe de Lara - Arrival Transfer: $185
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $164
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.95
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Ferry Ride$15
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Gas for Scooter$3.28
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $27Koh Pha Ngan $19
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 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
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.19
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$11
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.19
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Ice Cream$0.60
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Juice$1.79
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3 Spring Rolls$0.89
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2 Pancakes$1.79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.23Koh Pha Ngan $18
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 everyday 2 persons and up: $39
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
- Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Night Photo Tour in Guatemala City: $50
- Heart of Guided with a local Tour Guide: $50
- Historical and natural bike tour in Guatemala City: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.98Koh Pha Ngan $11
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: $105
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.76
When comparing the travel costs between Guatemala City and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan is in Asia, 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 Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Koh Pha Ngan?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Koh Pha Ngan, 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.