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

Should you visit San Fernando or Guatemala City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Guatemala City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: San Fernando or Guatemala City?

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or San Fernando?

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 San Fernando is $189, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $44. 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 San Fernando and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Fernando $74
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Fernando $148
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in San Fernando 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 San Fernando


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.
    San Fernando $50
    Guatemala City $6.21

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
  • From Panajachel: Transfer to Guatemala City: $240
  • Transfer: From Guatemala City to El Paredon Beach: $240
  • From One Way Private Transfers to Panajachel: $210
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban: $161
  • Guatemala Airport to San Felipe de Lara RoundTrip PrivateTransfer: $155
  • Guatemala City Airport(GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Round-Trip Transfer: $133
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $95
  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
  • Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $77

Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and San Fernando 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
    San Fernando $83
    Guatemala City $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
  • Cooking and class with Private Guatemalan Chef : $72
  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $90
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Fernando $28
    Guatemala City $1.22

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $60
  • 4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $70
  • Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
  • Antigua Guatemala Stopover Tour: $75
  • Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
  • Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City : $175
  • Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150
  • Chichicastenango Market Tour: $124
  • City Tour - Test Fly by Escuela de Flight S.A: $158
  • Climb Active Pacaya Volcano + Box Lunch at the Top - Shared Tour: $75
  • Combo Tour: Colonial Antigua & Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Fernando $22
    Guatemala City $6.89


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


Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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.