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 €50. 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 €22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga €104
    Guatemala City €44
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 €5.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • Canal and River Cruise with Old Town Transfer: $20
  • Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $33
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga by Sedan: $37
  • Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $44
  • Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
  • Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $52
  • Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $52
  • Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $56
  • Private Transfer from Hotel to Riga Airport with English speaking driver: $56
  • Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $56
  • Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $56

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 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
  • San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $41

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.

  • Riga Central Market Food Tour with Guide & Tastings ENG, DE: $26
  • Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples: $52
  • Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $69
  • Latvian Cooking Class in a Local Home: $114
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $125
  • Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $240
  • Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $248

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
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Riga €14
    Guatemala City €1.08

Tours and Activities in Riga

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

  • Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $8.01
  • Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.22
  • Historic Canal Boat Tour with Audio Guide: $10
  • Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
  • Old Town Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $12
  • Old Town E-Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $12
  • Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $12
  • Old Riga Walking Tour: Stories and Legends ENG/DE/ESP: $12
  • Top Panorama Cruise With Bar,WiFi and audioguide: $13
  • Riga Sightseeing by Canal Boat with Audio Guide: $14
  • Riga Old Town Walking Tour: Stories and Legends ENG/DE/ESP: $14
  • Top City Panorama Cruise With Bar & WiFi by boat Jelgava/Liepaja: $14

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
  • Walking Tour of Guatemala City's Historical Center: $35
  • Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
  • Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga €20
    Guatemala City €6.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Riga

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

  • Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $29
  • Brewery Tour with Beer and Riga Balsam Tasting: $32
  • Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $33
  • Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
  • Combo Brewery Tour + Canal Boat tour: $39
  • Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!: $40
  • Private - Riga Pub Crawl: $40
  • 2 in 1 - Old Town Walking Tour & Pub Crawl: $40
  • Riga 2 in 1 Tour: Art Nouveau Tour & Pub Crawl: $45
  • Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
  • Authentic Latvian Brewery Beer Tasting & Riga Highlight Tour: $51

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.