Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Mexico 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 Mexico City or Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mexico City or Guatemala City? 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: Mexico City or Guatemala City?
Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.
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 Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
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Mexico City Prices
Mexico PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMexico City $231Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Mexico City is $231, 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 Mexico City and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMexico City $42Guatemala City $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMexico City $84Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Mexico City and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Mexico City 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: Mexico City Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mexico City $13Guatemala City $6.27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mexico City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
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Metro$1.18
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Uber Ride$4.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- MEX Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $15
- Private Transfer from Mexico City Airport (MEX): $17
- Private Transfer to Mexico City Airport (MEX): $17
- Transfer Mexico city Airport - Mexico city Downtown hotels: $18
- Transfer Airport Hotel Airport Mexico City: $30
- Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to Mexico City- Private Arrival Transfer: $31
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Mexico City Airport (MEX): $34
- Mexico City Private Airport Transfer: $36
- Mexico City Airport Transfer to Estadio Azteca and City: $36
- Transfer Premium Mexico International Airport AICM: $38
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Mexico City: $38
- Private Transfer From Mexico City Airport to Downtown: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Transfer from La Aurora airport to Antigua Guatemala.: $80
- Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $30
- San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $41
- Private transfer from La Aurora Airport to Panajachel: $78
- Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $78
- Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $208
Is it cheaper to fly into Mexico City or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Mexico 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 dayMexico City $47Guatemala City $27
Typical Food Prices in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$13
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Coffee and Snacks$4.61
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Dinner for 2$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour Mexico City (Saturday): $20
- Mexico City Coyoacan Food Tour & Optional Frida Kahlo Museum: $20
- Private Street Food Tour Mexico City - Best rated: $35
- Cable Car, Cultural Spaces, and Traditional Food Tour: $40
- Veracruz and Boca del Rio Food Tour with Mangroves Boat Trip: $50
- Virtual Mexican Cooking Class (private and personalized): $50
- Tortilla Crawl: Food Tour in Mexico City: $55
- San Juan Market Food Tour Exotic Bites & Flavors: $56
- Coyoacan Market Food Tour Urban Eats & Local Legends: $56
- Mexico : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $58
- Street Food Tour in Mexico with a Local Guide: $62
- Local Markets & Food Tour in Mexico City: $63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
- Pacaya Volcano Tour with Pizza Made on Volcanic Heat: $275
- Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mexico City $15Guatemala City $1.23
Tours and Activities in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mexico City Self-Guided Tour: Historic Center & Beyond: $3.55
- MUCHO Museum of Chocolate Entrance Ticket: $4.65
- Mexico City Historic Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Mexico City Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Mexico City Coyoacán, Frida Kahlo Exploration Game and Tour: $6.04
- A Tour through the Guadalupe Basilica Grounds: $6.04
- Mexico City Walking Tour 2h40 and 24 audio reviews: $7.31
- Hidden Gems of Exploration Game and Tour: $7.42
- Mexico City Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $7.70
- Mexico City Jewish History Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Mexico City Self-Guided Walking Tour Aztec Legacy Audio and Quiz: $8.31
- Night City Tour in a Double Decker Bus: $10
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-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 Full Day From Guatemala City: $60
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Shared City Tour: $83
- Chichicastenango Day Tour from Guatemala City: $115
- Combo Tour: Colonial Antigua & Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $65
- Cultural Tour in Chichicastenango: $125
- Discover a Lagoon on the Crater of Ipala Volcano - Private Full Day Tour: $260
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMexico City $20Guatemala City $6.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:
- CDMX Pub Crawl: Guided Pub Crawl with Party Games: $24
- The Mexico City Pub Crawl: A real chilango night: $33
- THE MEXICO CITY PUB CRAWL: A real chilango night: $35
- Make Your Own Tequila or Mezcal with Distillery and Cocktails: $97
- Zona Rosa Pub Crawl Experience: $100
- Mexican Wine Tasting with Food Pairing: $126
- The Mexican Wine Tasting and Pairing: $130
- Full Day Harvest Season Wine Tour & Grape Stomping Tequisquiapan: $136
- Private Cheese and Wine Tour to Queretaro: $511
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mexico City and Guatemala City, we can see that Mexico City is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mexico City is in North America 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 Mexico City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mexico City 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 Mexico City Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mexico City or Guatemala City?
Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Mexico City 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.