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

Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Guatemala City?

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

Should I visit Puerto Iguazu 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: Puerto Iguazu or Guatemala City?

Puerto Iguazu

Puerto Iguazu is located in the northeastern part of Argentina at the border with Paraguay and Brazil. It is a tourist city and travel destination because of its close proximity to Iguazu Falls, which is only 18 kilometers away. Much of the city's infrastructure has grown to maintain the tourist crowds that come to see the falls. The town itself has a population of slightly over 80,000.

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 Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Puerto Iguazu?

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 Puerto Iguazu is $56, 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 Puerto Iguazu and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Iguazu $40
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Iguazu $80
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu 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 Puerto Iguazu


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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $3.05
    Guatemala City $6.27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu

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

  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $14
  • Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $21
  • Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $22
  • Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $25
  • Puerto Iguazu Airport (IGR) Private Transfer to Puerto Iguazu: $27
  • Private Transfer between Airport and Downtown Iguazu: $39
  • Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR: $40
  • Wanda Mines Guided Tour with Transfer / From Iguassu Falls: $56
  • Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil Duty Free Shop with Transfers: $66
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
  • Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
  • Iguazú Falls Combo: Argentina & Brazil, with Transfers: $86

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 Hotels: $43
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Puerto Iguazu 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
    Puerto Iguazu $6.26
    Guatemala City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Iguazu

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

  • Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $34
  • Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $39
  • ASADOR: Argentine Asado Cooking Class: $70
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $75
  • Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $75
  • Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner: $125
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $130
  • Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $152
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive: $155
  • FD Iguazu Falls Argentinian side + Dinner Tango Show -no transfer: $211
  • Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $232
  • Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $244

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 Surrounded by The Volcano: $195
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
  • Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $33
    Guatemala City $1.23

Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu

For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Iguazu Falls Argentinian Side Full-Day Tour: $18
  • Hito Tres Fronters and La Aripuca City Tour: $27
  • Iguazu Falls: Complete Argentine Side Experience: $28
  • Foz do Iguaçu: Brazil/Argentina Sides Iguazu Falls Day Tour: $41
  • Explore Iguazu Falls in Brazil: An Unforgettable Experience: $44
  • From San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines Tour: $46
  • Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $48
  • Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
  • Full-Day Tour to Iguazu Falls: $49
  • Iguazu Falls Argentine Side Tour & Ecological Train Ride: $55
  • Visit to San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines Full day Tour: $57
  • Iguazu Falls : Complete Argentine Side Experience: $59

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
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $199
  • 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 Full Day From Guatemala City: $60
  • Antigua Guatemala Cultural Tour History and Gastronomy: $100
  • Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $85
  • Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $79
  • Antigua Guatemala NIGHT Photo Tour FROM Guatemala City: $125
  • Chichicastenango Day Tour from Guatemala City: $115

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $7.81
    Guatemala City $6.96

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 comparing the travel costs between Puerto Iguazu and Guatemala City, we can see that Puerto Iguazu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Puerto Iguazu is in South America and Guatemala City is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Iguazu Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu 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.