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

Should you visit Guatemala City or Miami?

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

Should I visit Guatemala City or Miami? 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 Miami?

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.

Miami

Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.

Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.

Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Miami 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.

  • Guatemala City Prices
    Guatemala Prices
    Miami Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Guatemala City $56
    Miami $258

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Miami is $258. 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 Miami in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $25
    Miami $154
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $50
    Miami $308
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Miami

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Miami? 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 Miami


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 Miami Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.28
    Miami $38

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: $179
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $160
  • 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: $42

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Miami

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


  • Car Rental for a Day
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:

  • Train Transfer to South Florida Cities: $20
  • MIA Airport Private Transfer to/from Miami Port: $22
  • MIA Airport Private Transfer to/from Miami City/Beach: $22
  • MIA Airport Private Transfer to/from Miami City or Beach: $25
  • MIA Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Downtown/Beach/Hollywood: $29
  • Miami Airport Transfer to or from Miami City and Port Miami: $39
  • Private Group Transfer Service From Port of Miami & Miami Airport: $40
  • Miami & Fort Lauderdale Private Airport Transfer (To/From Hotel): $42
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Miami Airport (MIA): $45
  • Miami Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $52
  • Private Transfer from Cruise Port of Miami to Miami Airport (MIA): $56
  • Everglades Airboat, Gator Encounter & Bus Transfer: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Miami?

Prices for flights to both Miami 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 $27
    Miami $72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Food Tour Zona 4: Dinner Date Experience: $125
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
  • Pacaya Volcano. Tour and pizza making on Volcanic Heat: $275
  • Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550

Typical Food Prices in Miami

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:


  • Lunch with Drinks (for 2)
    $45
  • David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami

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

  • Art Deco Food Tour with Private Cigar & Rum Upgrade: $35
  • 2-Hour Express Little Havana & Cuban Culture Food Tour in Miami: $43
  • Historical Walking Food Tour in Calle 8: $50
  • 2-Hour Little Havana Food Tour with 6+ Tastings: $53
  • South Beach Guided Food Tour with Authentic Tastings: $60
  • South Beach Miami Authentic Food Tour with Local Food Tastings: $61
  • Miami : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $66
  • Street Food Tour in Miami with Local Guide: $66
  • A Taste of South Beach Food Tour: $75
  • Miami Mosaic Signature Food Tour: $75
  • South Beach Food Tour: $75
  • Little Havana 3-Hour Food Tour: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $1.23
    Miami $31

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
  • Walking Tour of Guatemala City's Historical Center: $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
  • Guatemala City Express: Half-day city tour: $45
  • Antigua Guatemala Express Half Day Colonial Charm Tour: $45
  • City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47

Tours and Activities in Miami

Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Jetski & ATV Adventure Combo in Miami: $2.00
  • Podcast Tour Wall Street South: Capital, Canopy, and Coral: $5.48
  • Podcast Tour: Rhythm and Empire - Miamis Latin Pop Revolution: $5.48
  • Podcast Tour Miami Beach: Tropical Deco and Neon Dreams: $5.48
  • Bus & Boat Ultimate Sightseeing Combo Tour: $6.16
  • Private and Exclusive Jet Car Experience: $9.24
  • Luxury Jet Car Experience on Biscayne Bay: $9.24
  • Wynwood Walls Skip-the-Line Ticket (Direct Entry): $13
  • Skyline Sightseeing Cruise Millionaire Homes & River: $13
  • Miami Marlins Baseball Game Ticket at LoanDepot Park: $13
  • Biscayne National Park Self Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Miami Sunset and Skyline Cruise: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.97
    Miami $22

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 Miami

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:


  • Evening at a Bar
    $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Miami

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:

  • #1 Miami Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $21
  • Wynwood Pub Crawl with Drinks & VIP Club Entry: $27
  • Miami Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Miami Bar Crawl: $29
  • Guided Bar Crawl with Drinks Discounts and Club Entry: $29
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Miami Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $33
  • House of Desire Classic Glamour Burlesque Cabaret: $40
  • BigBeach Bar Crawl - South Beach Bar Hop and Club Experience: $40
  • Pedal Pub Wynwood Art District Party Bike Pub Crawl: $48
  • Small-Group Brewery Golf Cart Tour of Wynwood with a Local Guide: $59
  • Wynwood Graffiti Brewery Golf Cart Tour: $63


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Miami, we can see that Miami 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 Miami is in North America, 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami 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 Miami Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Miami?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Miami. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Miami, 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.