Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Guatemala City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Guatemala City or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Saint John? 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 Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $44Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $44, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Saint John $106
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Saint John? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.17Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $65
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
- PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
- Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in Guatemala City: $30
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Puerto Quetzal Port: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $15Saint John $56
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.21Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Culinary Experience in Guatemala City: $15
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
- Guided Walking Tour in Guatemala City: $25
- Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
- Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
- UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Tour around antigua's villages: $50
- Half-Day Guatemala City Tour : $55
- 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.84Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.
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.