Which place is cheaper, Washington 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 Washington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Washington? 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 Washington?
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.
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesWashington Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Washington $226
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Washington is $226. 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 Washington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $25Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $50Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Washington
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Washington? 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 Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.28Washington $47
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 - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $208
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Guatemala Airport (GUA) to San Felipe de Lara - Arrival Transfer: $187
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $166
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlán: $125
- Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
- Private Transfer from Guatemala Airport GUA to Lake Atitlán: $96
- Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan: $84
- Transfer from La Aurora airport to Antigua Guatemala.: $80
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
- Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $78
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- DCA Airport Private Transfer to Washington D.C.: $37
- Private Arrival Transfer from Washington Reagan Airport DCA: $48
- Private Departure Transfer to Baltimore Washington Airport BWI: $60
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Airport Transfer from Ronald Reagan Airport DCA - Washington DC: $75
- Private Transfer Washington DC to Ronald Reagan Airport DCA: $75
- Washington to Washington Airport (DCA) Departure Private Transfer: $79
- Washington DC: One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- Washington to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) - Departure Private Transfer: $83
- Private Airport Transfer from Ronald Reagan DCA to Washington DC: $85
- Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $88
- Transfer Washington City Center to Dulles Airport (IAD): $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Washington?
Prices for flights to both Washington 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 $27Washington $66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $60
- Donuts, Lights & History: DC’s Holiday Walking Food Tour: $70
- DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $71
- Cobblestones & Croissants: A Morning Food Tour in Georgetown, DC: $89
- Washington D.C: Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
- Washington D.C Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $97
- DC: Eastern Market Eats Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $99
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $104
- City Cruises Washington DC: Buffet Dinner Cruise: $116
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- DC: Evening Local Neighborhood Food Tour with DrinkEatWalk: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.23Washington $23
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 1 Day Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City: $150
- 2-Day Tour: Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan and Hobbitenango: $299
- 3 Days Tour in Acatenango Volcano: $265
- 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
- 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 Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $79
- Antigua Guatemala NIGHT Photo Tour FROM Guatemala City: $125
- Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City: $90
- Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City: $175
- Chichicastenango Day Tour from Guatemala City: $115
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- Private Dupont Circle Walking: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Washington: $5.91
- The Kennedy Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.99
- Georgetown's Famous Ghosts Smartphone Guided Haunted Walking Tour: $9.75
- Bureaucracy: Pillars of Policy in D.C Self-Guided Walking tour: $9.99
- Audio Tour of Washington DC: Where the Bureaucracy Lives: $9.99
- Washington DC Mall Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $12
- An Epic Audio Tour: Washington, D.C. Adventure: $15
- Explore Washington DC: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- DC - Historical: At your leisure and your pace. Downloadable audiovisual tour.: $15
- Skip-the-Line Washington Monument Tickets + Self Guided Book: $18
- Washington Nationals Baseball Game Tickets: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.96Washington $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- Astounding Bar Crawl: Wildin' Out Washington DC: $15
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $29
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $29
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted DC Pub Crawl Spirits and Scandals in the Capital: $35
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $56
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Washington, we can see that Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington 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 Washington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Washington?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Washington, 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.