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

Should you visit Guatemala City or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Guatemala City or Seattle? 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle

Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, Seattle 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 Seattle is $205. 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 Seattle in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $24
    Seattle $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Seattle

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Seattle? 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 Seattle


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 Seattle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.18
    Seattle $30

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
  • PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $66
  • One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
  • Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
  • Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $77

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:


  • Lightrail from Airport (for 2)
    $5.50
  • Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:

  • One-Way Transfer: Cruise Piers to Airport : $28
  • One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Hotels to Seattle Cruise Terminals : $33
  • Private Arrival Transfer In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) : $40
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer(Seattle Airport To/From Seattle): $58
  • Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Seattle - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $74
  • Private Transfer from Seattle hotels to Smith Cove Terminal : $74
  • Seattle Airport (SEA) to Smith Cove Terminal - Arrival Transfer: $74
  • Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Airport (SEA) - Departure Transfer: $74
  • Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Hotels Arrival Private Transfer : $74
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Seattle Airport: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Seattle?

Prices for flights to both Seattle 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
    Seattle $51

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 Seattle

Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:


  • Expresso & cookie at Pier 70
    $7.00
  • Cashews at Pike Place Market
    $6.00
  • 6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market
    $3.25
  • Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)
    $21
  • Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)
    $32
  • Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)
    $37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle

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

  • Secret Food Tours Seattle: $65
  • Seattle Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
  • Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67
  • Eat Around the World Seattle Food Tour: $69
  • International District Food Tour: $69
  • Street Food Tour of South Lake Union: $75
  • Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $85
  • Pike Place Market Food Tour: $99
  • Small Group Cooking Class: $138
  • Private Seattle Cooking Class with a Chef in Her Home: $198

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guatemala City $1.21
    Seattle $16

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
  • Tour around antigua's villages: $50
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
  • El mejor Tour Ciudad De Guatemala (el Mas Completo): $55
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Tour : $55

Tours and Activities in Seattle

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

  • Space Needle Park Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Seattle by Crazy Dash: $10
  • Downtown Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
  • Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Seattle Mariners Baseball Game Ticket at T Mobile Park: $15
  • Seattle bakery walk tour: $19
  • National Nordic Museum Entry Ticket: $20
  • Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket: $22
  • Terrors and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour: $26
  • MoPOP Entry Ticket: $27
  • Woodland Park Zoo Day Admission Ticket: $28
  • Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.85
    Seattle $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:

  • Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
  • Where the Hops Grow! Yakima Brewery Tour : $40
  • Woodinville Wine Country: Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
  • Woodinville Wine Country: Artisan Hill Wine Tasting Pass: $65
  • Brewery and Restaurant Tour of Historic Seattle Neighborhood: $109
  • Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour : $120
  • From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $262
  • Snoqualmie Falls + Wine Tasting: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour: $263


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


Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Seattle?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Seattle, 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.