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

Should you visit Montevideo or Guatemala City?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and Guatemala City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Montevideo or Guatemala City?

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $70, 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 Montevideo and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $38
    Guatemala City $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $76
    Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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.

Hotels in Montevideo


Hotels in Guatemala City


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.04
    Guatemala City $6.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Hotel O Hotel - Aero: $23
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • Montevideo to Carrasco Airport (MVD) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport to Montevideo: $40
  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $40
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $41
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $42
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $42
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $42
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Transfer from Carrasco International Aiport to Montevideo: $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

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Montevideo 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
    Montevideo $22
    Guatemala City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Montevideo Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $65
  • Private Uruguayan Cooking Class with Local Chef: $85
  • Uruguayan Wine Pairing Dinner at City Winery Uruguay: $90
  • Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $93
  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $98
  • Dinner and Tango Show at Primuseum Restaurant: $100
  • Dinner and Tango Show at the Historic Bar Fun Fun, Established in 1895: $100
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $107
  • Traditional Dinner & Tango Show at Primuseum: $110
  • Food Tour with Asado, Chivito, and Mate: $221
  • Montevideo private city tour with dinner included and tango show: $250

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $20
    Guatemala City $1.23

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
  • El Juguetero Museum Entry Ticket: $7.00
  • Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Guided Tour of the National Hat Factory: $10
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
  • Complete Half-Day Tour with Guide and 6 Stops: $20
  • Experience the Local Magic at a Bohemian Nightclub with a Live Show: $20
  • Tourist Bus Discover Montevideo: $25
  • Montevideo Jogging Tour: $25
  • Bodegas Carrau Winery Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Half-Day City Tour with Live Guide: $25
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo: $25

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Guatemala City $6.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

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

  • Bodega Pizzorno wine tasting in Montevideo: $45
  • Wine tasting of 4 wines from 4 wineries & empanadas in Montevideo: $50
  • Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $125
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $220
  • Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Guatemala City, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo is in South 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 Montevideo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montevideo 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 Montevideo Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Guatemala City?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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.