Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Guatemala City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Guatemala, The Best Budget Tours to Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $44Liberia $108
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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Liberia $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Liberia $116
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.19Liberia $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
- Antigua Guatemala: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
- Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $25
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $25
- San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $34
- Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
- Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
- From Guatemala City One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey: $54
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Private transfer from Liberia Airport: $5.00
- Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer : $6.00
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Papagayo Peninsula: $12
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Riu Hotel and Vice Versa: $15
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $17
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $18
- Private Transfer from Libera/Four Seasons Guanacaste Airport: $19
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Peñas Blancas Nicaragua: $26
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Grande - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer From Playas Del Coco To Nosara Guanacaste: $39
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Flamingo/Tamarindo - Arrival Transfer: $40
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
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Food Meals for one dayGuatemala City $15Liberia $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
- Cooking and class with Private Guatemalan Chef : $72
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $90
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.90
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.77
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$13
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Ginger Ale$1.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.21Liberia $24
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Guided Walking Tour in Guatemala City: $25
- Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
- Guatemala City; walking tour: $35
- Private Tour: Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour from Antigua Guatemala: $35
- UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
- Guatemala city walking tour on afternoon 14.00, 2 persons and up: $39
- Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
- Private Night City Photo Tour in Guatemala: $50
- Half-Day Guatemala City Tour : $55
- 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- Rincon de la Vieja National Park Admission Ticket: $30
- Rincon de la Vieja: La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $39
- 4 Hour Coffee and Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco: $40
- La Leona Waterfall Hiking Tour: $40
- Rincon de la Vieja: La Leona Waterfall Private Tour: $43
- Bird-Watching and Wildlife Tour: $43
- La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
- Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $49
- La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Private Tour): $50
- Combo Tour: Lunch + Río Negro hotsprings: $54
- Horseback Riding Tour: $59
- Paddle Board Private Tour Nuevo Arenal, Lake Arenal: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.86Liberia $12
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.
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 Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Liberia?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and 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 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.