Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Manila?
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 Manila or Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manila and Guatemala City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Guatemala City?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $96Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $96, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Manila and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $49Guatemala City $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $98Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Manila and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Guatemala City? 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: Manila Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $13Guatemala City $6.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $23
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Metro Manila → NAIA Airport (MNL): $30
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- NAIA Airport Transfer to/from anywhere in Metro Manila: $31
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- Private Departure Transfer:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport(GUA): $24
- Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $25
- Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $25
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $30
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
- Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $32
- La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Manila 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 dayManila $28Guatemala City $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $50
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $50
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
- A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
- Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Cooking Experience in Guatemala from Market to Table: $23
- Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Food Tour Zona 4: Dinner Date Experience: $125
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
- Pacaya Volcano. Tour and pizza making on Volcanic Heat: $275
- Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $18Guatemala City $1.23
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City: $20
- Historic Center Walking Tour; Art and History: $27
- Volcano-Grown Coffee Tasting Experience: $28
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Walking Tour of Guatemala City's Historical Center: $35
- Walking Tour: $35
- Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
- Guatemala City Express: Half-day city tour: $45
- Antigua Guatemala Express Half Day Colonial Charm Tour: $45
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Night Photo Tour in Guatemala City: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.01Guatemala City $6.97
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 Manila and Guatemala City, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia and Guatemala City is in Central 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila 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 Manila Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Guatemala City?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Guatemala City, 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.