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

Should you visit Riga or Guatemala City?

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

Should I visit Riga 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: Riga or Guatemala City?

Riga

Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.

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


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Riga?

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 Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is €49. 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 Riga and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga 52
    Guatemala City 21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga 104
    Guatemala City 42
Compare Hotels in Riga and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Riga 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 Riga


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: Riga Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Riga 9.63
    Guatemala City 5.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • Riga Airport Private Transfer - private group 1 to 8 pax: $23
  • Riga Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Riga International Airport RIX to Riga City: $38
  • Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $43
  • Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $45
  • Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
  • Departure Private Transfer Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Minivan: $53
  • Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $53
  • Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $53
  • Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $57
  • Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $57
  • Private Transfer to anywhere in Riga Center: $59

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 from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $26
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $26
  • Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $32
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
  • La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
  • Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
  • PRIVATE TRANSFER From Airport/Guate City to ANTIGUA or Vice-versa: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Riga 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
    Riga 57
    Guatemala City 24
Typical Food Prices in Riga

Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:


  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.77

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.

  • Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
  • Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
  • Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $127
  • Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
  • Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $246
  • Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252

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
  • 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.
    Riga 14
    Guatemala City 1.07

Tours and Activities in Riga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:

  • Old Riga E-Bus Tour with Audio Guide, 45 min: $7.39
  • Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $8.21
  • Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
  • Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
  • Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
  • Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
  • Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
  • Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
  • Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $11
  • Riga Panorama trip – Golden Autumn | River Cruises Latvia: $11
  • Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
  • Old Riga Walking Tour: Legends & Hidden Gems, 1 hour: $12

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: $35
  • Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
  • City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
  • Heart of Guided with a local Tour Guide: $50
  • Antigua City Tour Full Day From Guatemala City: $60
  • Half Day Tour Of Guatemala City: $60
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Tour: $60
  • Guatemala City Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga 20
    Guatemala City 6.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Riga

Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Riga Pub Crawl: $41
  • Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
  • Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
  • Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
  • Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
  • Riga Brewery Tour: $75
  • Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
  • Riga Sip and Paint Experience with Latvian Wine Tasting: $100
  • Shooting Range and Old Town Pub Crawl: $106
  • Gin Distillery Tour with Tasting and Cocktails: $111

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 Riga and Guatemala City, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Riga or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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.