Which place is cheaper, Tilcara 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.
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Should you visit Guatemala City or Tilcara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Tilcara? 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 Tilcara?
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.
Tilcara
Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Camping Tours in Argentina.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesTilcara Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Tilcara $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $78. 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 Tilcara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Tilcara $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Tilcara $126
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Tilcara
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Tilcara? 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 Tilcara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.25Tilcara $3.09
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
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $209
- Private Transfer - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $209
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $167
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban: $161
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $90
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
- Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan : $67
- Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tilcara
Also for Tilcara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Solar Train of the Quebrada de Humahuaca: Ticket and Transfer: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Tilcara?
Prices for flights to both Tilcara 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 $27Tilcara $7.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- PRIVATE MAYAN COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF EN Guatemala City: $65
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $175
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.22Tilcara $22
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $195
- 3 Days Tour in Acatenango Volcano: $240
- 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
- 4-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $70
- Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
- Antigua Guatemala & Guatemala City Tour: $65
- Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $65
- Antigua Guatemala Stopover Tour: $75
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
- From Salta: Tour to Humahuaca + Hornocal "Route of Colors and Heights": $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.93Tilcara $4.87
Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City
Also in Guatemala City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Tilcara, we can see that Tilcara 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 Tilcara is in South 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 Tilcara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tilcara 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 Tilcara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Tilcara?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Tilcara, 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.
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.