A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guatemala City vs. Liberia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Central America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Guatemala City or Liberia?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Guatemala City or Liberia? 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 Liberia?

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.

Liberia

Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.

Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Guatemala City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $44, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $108. 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 Liberia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $24
    Liberia $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    Liberia $114
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Liberia

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Liberia? 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.

Hotels in Guatemala City


Hotels in Liberia


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 Liberia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.09
    Liberia $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
  • PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20
  • Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
  • Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotel: $25
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $27
  • Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in Guatemala City: $30
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $33
  • Transfer Private Vehicle from Guatemala City - Guatemala Airport (GUA): $33
  • Transfer Private Vehicle from Guatemala City Airport (GUA) -Guatemala City : $33
  • Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35

Typical Local Transportation prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Bike Rental
    $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:

  • Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer By Red Eyed Tours : $10
  • Airport transfer Liberia : $10
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Papagayo Peninsula: $12
  • Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer : $15
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $17
  • Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to Tamarindo/Westin: $22
  • Private One-Way Transfer: Liberia Airport to Westin/W Conchal: $22
  • Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to JW Marriott//Pinilla: $25
  • Direct Transfer Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $25
  • Direct Transfer Guanacaste Hotel to Liberia Airport: $25
  • Liberia Airport (LIR) to Flamingo/Tamarindo - Arrival Transfer: $30
  • Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Grande - Arrival Private Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Liberia?

Prices for flights to both Liberia 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 day
    Guatemala City $15
    Liberia $20

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
  • Taste of Guatemala,Walking Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala : $50
  • Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
  • Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
  • Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
  • Foodie & street food tour: $85
  • Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178

Typical Food prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Snacks
    $1.89
  • Lunch at The Shack (for 1)
    $4.74
  • Lunch
    $11
  • Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)
    $13
  • Ginger Ale
    $1.23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.

  • 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
  • Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $1.19
    Liberia $24

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:

  • Artisan Shoemaking & Leather Craft Tour: $10
  • Culinary Experience in Guatemala City: $15
  • Antigua Private Cultural Walking Tour: $15
  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
  • Antigua Cultural Walking Tour : $18
  • Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala : $20
  • Walking Tour of the Wonders of La Antigua Guatemala: $20
  • Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $20
  • Chicken Bus Experience to San Juan del Obispo : $22
  • Antigua Walking Tour: $23
  • Antigua Market Culture and Cuisine Tour: $25
  • Antigua Walking Tour Morning and Afternoon: $25

Tours and Activities in Liberia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:

  • Jet Ski Rentals, Banana Boat Rides, Jet Ski & Banana Boat Combo, Jet Ski Tours: $22
  • La Leona waterfall adventure river hike, in Guanacaste.: $30
  • La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Group Tour): $30
  • Paddle Board Private Tour Nuevo Arenal, Lake Arenal: $32
  • La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $39
  • La leona waterfall private adventure tour half day : $40
  • La leona Waterfall adventure hike: $40
  • Bird-Watching and Wildlife Tour: $42
  • Coffee and Jungle Night Tour: $42
  • Night Tour in Nuevo Arenal: $43
  • Private La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Self Drive): $45
  • La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Private Tour): $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.76
    Liberia $12

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:

  • Antigua Bar Crawl: $26

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Liberia, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia than you might in Guatemala City.

Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Liberia?

Guatemala City is bigger, and its population is about 21.9 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the population of Guatemala City vs. Liberia, 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
More City Comparisons
Ocho Rios vs. Guatemala City
Ocho Rios vs. Liberia
Negril vs. Guatemala City
Negril vs. Liberia
Montego Bay vs. Guatemala City
Montego Bay vs. Liberia
Mandeville vs. Guatemala City
Mandeville vs. Liberia
Kingston vs. Guatemala City
Kingston vs. Liberia
Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) vs. Guatemala City
Oranjestad (Sint Eustatius) vs. Liberia
Havana vs. Guatemala City
Havana vs. Liberia
Fort-de-France vs. Guatemala City
Fort-de-France vs. Liberia
Nassau vs. Guatemala City
Nassau vs. Liberia
Freeport vs. Guatemala City
Freeport vs. Liberia
Warwick Parish vs. Guatemala City
Warwick Parish vs. Liberia
San Fernando vs. Guatemala City
San Fernando vs. Liberia
Port-of-Spain vs. Guatemala City
Port-of-Spain vs. Liberia
Saint John's vs. Guatemala City
Saint John's vs. Liberia
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Guatemala City vs. Liberia Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.