Which place is cheaper, New York City 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 New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or New York City? 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 New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
-
Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24New York City $175
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.27New York City $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Transfer from La Aurora airport to Antigua Guatemala.: $80
- Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
- San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $41
- Private transfer from La Aurora Airport to Panajachel: $78
- Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $78
- Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $204
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
-
Subway$4.50
-
Taxi Ride$8.00
-
Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manhattan to JFK: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $28
- JFK to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $28
- Shared transfer Newark Airport to Manhattan: $30
- Private Transfer from Manhattan to NYC Airports (JFK/EWR/LGA): $37
- Cape Cruise Port to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Transfer: $43
- Cape Cruise Port to J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)-Departure Transfer: $43
- Private Transfer from New York to Cape Liberty Cruise Port: $43
- Private Transfer from Newark Airport (EWR) to Cape Liberty Port: $43
- Private Transfer from New York Airport (LGA) to Manhattan Port: $43
- J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Cape Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer: $43
- NYC: JFK Airport Private Transfer 90-Min FREE Wait Included: $43
- NYC Airport Transfer From Newark (EWR) Airport to Manhattan: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $27New York City $87
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
- Food Tour Zona 4: Dinner Date Experience: $125
- 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 New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Gelato$7.50
-
Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
-
Coffee$6.53
-
Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Lower East Side Food Tour: $34
- The Greenwich Village Food Tour: $39
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $39
- Brooklyn's must-try Pizza Crawl experience (5 top rated slices!): $46
- NYC Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tour: $63
- Lower East Side Skip-the-Line Food Tour with Museum Entry: $64
- New York City's Best Pizza tour - You be the judge!: $65
- Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour: Local Eats & Iconic Views: $70
- Chinatown Food Tour with a Chef in Manhattan: $75
- Greenwich Village & SoHo Pizza Walk: $75
- Sweets and Slices Greenwich Village Walking Food Tour: $75
- Brooklyn Pizza Walk: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.23New York City $180
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 Full-Day Shared City Tour: $60
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $79
- Antigua Guatemala NIGHT Photo Tour FROM Guatemala City: $125
- Chichicastenango Day Tour from Guatemala City: $115
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Comedy Show Tickets$56
-
City Map$8.00
-
Broadway Musical$111
-
Broadway Show Program$10
-
Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- New York's Hidden Gems: Self-Guided City Tour: $1.14
- NYC Central Park Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.50
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York: $4.66
- Central Park Stolen Archives: NY Exploration Game and Tour: $4.95
- New York: Central Park Walking Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- New York: Wall Street Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided Central Park Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- New York Kids Quest: Family Walking Adventure: $5.09
- New York World's Fair Site: Explore its utopian future on an audio tour: $5.39
- NYC Superhero Academy: Self-Guided Comic Adventure: $5.94
- NY Crime Self Guided City Tour of the Most Infamous Scandals: $5.99
- New York City Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.96New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
- NYC Bar Crawl: Games, Live Music & Underground Nightlife: $28
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- NYC Pub Crawl & Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $34
- Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl: $34
- Cheers to Chinatown Tour and Bar Crawl: $40
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Best of NYC Drag - Drag Bar Crawl with Drink: $49
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 New York City 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and New York City, 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.