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

Should you visit Guatemala City or Pedasi?

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

Should I visit Guatemala City or Pedasi? 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 Pedasi?

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.

Pedasi

Pedasi is in the Los Santos province of the Pacific West region of Panama. It's on the edge of the Azuero Peninsula and has a population of just over 2000 people. The town is predominantly a fishing village and is set on a beautiful, rocky coastline, making it a dramatic place to visit. The town is small, but you'll find a few restaurants around town that are worth eating at. The area is well known for having some great carnivals and most travelers visit with the plan to enjoy some sport fishing, diving, snorkeling, or surfing. There are also some great national parks and preserves nearby.

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 Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.


Which place is cheaper, Pedasi 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 Pedasi is $38. 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 Pedasi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $24
    Pedasi $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    Pedasi $26
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Pedasi

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Pedasi? 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 Pedasi


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.17
    Pedasi $5.45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
  • Guatemala Airport to San Felipe de Lara RoundTrip PrivateTransfer: $152
  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
  • Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
  • One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • Private one way transfer in Guatemala: $45
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Pedasi?

Prices for flights to both Pedasi 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
    Pedasi $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $1.21
    Pedasi -

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
  • 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
  • 4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $65
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
  • Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
  • Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
  • Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150
  • Chichicastenango Market Tour: $116
  • Climb Active Pacaya Volcano + Box Lunch at the Top - Shared Tour: $75
  • Combo Tour: Colonial Antigua & Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $65
  • Culinary Experience in Guatemala City: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.84
    Pedasi $2.87


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

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 Pedasi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Pedasi?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 640 times larger than the population of Pedasi. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Pedasi, 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.