Which city is cheaper, Roatan or Guatemala City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guatemala City vs. Roatan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Guatemala City or Roatan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Roatan? 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 Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $44Roatan $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $44, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $39. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Guatemala City and Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Roatan $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Roatan $22
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Roatan? 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 Roatan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.16Roatan $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $14
- Shared Departure Transfer: Guatemala City Hotels to Airport: $14
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
- Collective Transfer From Guatemala City to La Aurora Airport: $20
- Airport transfer from Guatemala City airport to Antigua: $26
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Guatemala to La Aurora International Airport (GUA): $38
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $70
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlán: $120
- Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, Lake Atitlan: $128
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban: $155
Typical Local Transportation prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$4.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- bus & Taxi Uber Roatan transfer to the beach customize your tour: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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
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Food Meals for one dayGuatemala City $15Roatan $9.48
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: $70
- Guatemala Food Tour from Guatemala City: $117
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $118
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.21Roatan $27
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Walking tour Guatemala City Downtown: $15
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
- La Aurora Zoo Admission Ticket: $18
- Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
- Half Day Experience in Guatemala City: $30
- Guatemala City Tour: $32
- Guatemala City Afternoon Sightseeing Tour: $34
- Private Tour: Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour from Antigua Guatemala: $35
- Guatemala city walking tour: $37
- Antigua Guatemala: Morning Tour from Guatemala City: $38
- UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
- Kanba Cave & Semuc Champey Park Tour Including Entrance Fees: $44
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Do It Your Way Roatán Free Style Tour.: $32
- Shore Excursion: Roatan 360 Panoramic City Tour: $35
- Shore Excursion: Roatan Private VIP Customizable Island Tour: $35
- Shore Excursion: Roatan Half Day Private City Tour: $45
- Shore Excursion: Roatan Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour and Beach: $45
- Roatan Island Tour: $45
- Roatan animal sanctuary and island adventures: $47
- Private Roatan Island Tour: $47
- Island tour in Roatan: $49
- Roatan Stewart Tours:best Of Roatan Tour '': $49
- Roatan Shore Excursion: Hanging Bridges Eco Tour and Beach Break: $50
- Good Samaritan Tour: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.83Roatan $7.11
When comparing the travel costs between Guatemala City and Roatan, we can see that Guatemala City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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Budget Your Trip
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