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

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 The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, New York City 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 New York City is $326. 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 person
    Guatemala City $24
    New York City $175
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    New 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.

Hotels in Guatemala City


Hotels in New York City


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 $6.18
    New York City $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Transfer: From Guatemala City to El Paredon Beach: $240
  • Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24
  • PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20

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: Bus Transfer from/to Newark Airport: $21
  • New York: 1-Way Transfer to/from JFK & Grand Central Station: $27
  • Midtown/Lower Manhattan -JFK: Private Airport Departure Transfers: $29
  • Newark Liberty International Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to / from NYC: $34
  • Private Departure Transfers from Upper Manhattan to JFK Airport: $34
  • EWR to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Manhattan to EWR: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $34
  • Manhattan to JFK: One Way Shared Departure Transfer : $34
  • JFK to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer : $34
  • LGA to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Manhattan to LGA: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $34
  • NYC: One-Way Shared Transfer to or from Newark Airport: $36

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 day
    Guatemala City $15
    New York City $50

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 Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • 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 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:

  • New York, Queens Culinary Stroll : Food Tour on Foot: $26
  • Lower East Side and Essex Market Multicultural Food Tour: $39
  • Half-Day Private Pizza Crawl in Manhattan: $40
  • Ultimate Greenwich Village NYC Food Tour: $63
  • NYC: Greenwich Village Guided Food Tour: $63
  • Pizza Walking Tour of Downtown Brooklyn: $65
  • Greenwich Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
  • West Village Pizza Walk: $65
  • East Village Pizza Walk: $65
  • Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
  • East Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
  • Gastro Pub Pre/Post Theater Dinner in Times Square: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $1.21
    New York City $180

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • 2-Day Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City or Antigua: $265
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $130
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
  • 4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $65
  • Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City : $300
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
  • Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
  • Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
  • Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
  • Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City : $175
  • Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150
  • Chichicastenango Market Tour: $124

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:

  • Central Park NYC: First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.23
  • Brooklyn Bridge Self-Guided Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
  • Self Guided Central Park Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
  • Central Park: Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
  • Marvel Universe in New York In-app Audio Tour in English: $5.00
  • New York City's Financial District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
  • New York World's Fair Site: Explore its utopian future on an audio tour: $5.39
  • Broadway: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the World's Iconic Theatre District: $5.39
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York: $5.45
  • Central Park Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Self Guided "Central Park Movie Tour" Solo Walking Tour in New York City: $6.75
  • Private Haunted and Historic Audio Tour in Greenwich Village: $6.95

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 day
    Guatemala City $6.85
    New York City $29

Sample the Local Flavors in New York City

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:

  • NYC West Village Pub Crawl: $22
  • Pub Crawl and Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $29
  • New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
  • NYC: Brooklyn Nightlife Pub Crawl: $34
  • New York Rooftop Pub Crawl: $39
  • NYC: Tour Manhattan's Only Whiskey Distillery with Tastings: $42
  • Lower East Side & Alphabet City divebar crawl w the Bar Buds: $48
  • Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
  • Lower East Side Prohibition Pub Crawl: $74
  • New York Wine Tasting Experience : $98
  • Guided Brooklyn Craft Brewery Tour: $99
  • Hudson Valley Craft Brewery Bike Tour: $145


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.