A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guatemala City vs. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guatemala City or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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

Should I visit Guatemala City or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)? 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Situated in the Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jiminez has grown from a logging and gold mining town in the 1960s to become the largest town on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. Today, it serves as a main gateway to Corcovado National Park, a last stopping point before visitors enter the park. Puerto Jiminez also has a lively night life, a beach, and easy access to a number of outdoors activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Prices
    Costa Rica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Guatemala City $44
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $138

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $44, while the average daily cost in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is $138. 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $24
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $98
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)? 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)


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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.21
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -

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: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $24
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $27
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $59

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
  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:


  • Dinner at Finca Exotica
    $53

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $1.22
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $118

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
  • Guided Walking Tour in Guatemala City: $26
  • Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
  • 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
  • Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
  • Walking Tour: $35
  • Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
  • UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
  • Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
  • City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
  • Half Day Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $50

Tours and Activities in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:

  • Gold Panning Private Adventure in Puerto Jimenez: $35
  • Bio-Luminescence and Sunset Kayak Tour: $62
  • Kayak experience on Playa Blanca in Puerto Jiménez: $65
  • One Day Tour To Caño Island From Drake Bay: $125
  • Corcovado National Park - Day Tour from Drake Bay: $145
  • 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Osa Jungle : $163
  • Parque Nacional Corcovado- Sirena day tour desde Puerto Jiménez : $170
  • Puerto Jimenez- Corcovado Private Mermaid Day Tour. : $250
  • 30-minute Corcovado National Park Tour by Plane: $256
  • One Day Tour to Corcovado (La Leona Station) From Puerto Jiménez: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.89
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), we can see that Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Expensive?.