Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Guatemala City or Koh Phi Phi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Phi Phi?
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 Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
-
Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesKoh Phi Phi Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Koh Phi Phi $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $91. 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 Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $25Koh Phi Phi $47
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $50Koh Phi Phi $94
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.30Koh Phi Phi $7.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
- Private Museums Tour with Transfers: $225
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $206
- Private Transfer - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $205
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
- Airport Transfer for Large Groups – Private Bus: $195
- Guatemala Airport (GUA) to San Felipe de Lara - Arrival Transfer: $185
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $164
- Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
- Private Transfer from Guatemala Airport GUA to Lake Atitlán: $96
- Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
-
Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$16
-
Longboat Taxi$2.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Phi Phi Island to Phuket Speedboat Transfer: $26
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $28
- Smooth Round Trip Ferry Transfer from Krabi to Phi Phi Island: $37
- Krabi to Phi Phi Island Scenic Round Trip Ferry Transfer Service: $41
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $46
- Koh Phi Phi to Krabi VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $46
- Phi Phi to Koh Samui Smooth Transfer by Speedboat Bus Catamaran: $56
- Easy Island Transfer from Phi Phi Island to Koh Tao: $69
- Phuket Phi phi Maya Bay Khai Island Diving Transfer & Buffet: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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
-
Food Meals for one dayGuatemala City $27Koh Phi Phi $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 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 Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
-
Crepe$1.79
-
Sit Down Lunch$10
-
Casual Lunch$6.26
-
Coconut Donut$0.30
-
Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$12
-
Sit Down Dinner$15
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.23Koh Phi Phi $50
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 1 Day Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City: $150
- 2-Day Tour: Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan and Hobbitenango: $299
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $199
- 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
- 4-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $70
- Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
- Antigua City Tour Full Day From Guatemala City: $60
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
- Antigua Guatemala Cultural Tour History and Gastronomy: $100
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Shared City Tour: $83
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $79
- Antigua Guatemala NIGHT Photo Tour FROM Guatemala City: $125
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Kayak Rental$8.95
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $14
- Phuket Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Phi Phi Tour with Maya Bay By Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $18
- Phi Phi Sunset Longtail Boat Cruise to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $20
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $20
- Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $21
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $21
- Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $22
- Phi Phi Half Day Longtail Boat Tour to Maya Bay and Snorkeling: $23
- From Phi Phi: Morning/Afternoon Phi Phi Island Tour Longtail Boat: $23
- Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $25
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $28
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.98Koh Phi Phi $6.18
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 Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
-
Mojito Bucket$15
-
Banana Daiquiri$5.97
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi is in Asia, 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Koh Phi Phi?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 990 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Koh Phi Phi, 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.