Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio 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 Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Guatemala City?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Guatemala City $44
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, 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 Ignacio and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Guatemala City $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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.
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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Guatemala City $6.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- Guatemala Airport to San Felipe de Lara RoundTrip PrivateTransfer: $152
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $65
- Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $76
- Guatemala City Airport(GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Round-Trip Transfer: $130
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
- PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20
- Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
- Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in Guatemala City: $30
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and San Ignacio 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Ignacio $21Guatemala City $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
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
- Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Guatemala City $1.21
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
- Barton Creek Tour: $98
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Culinary Experience in Guatemala City: $15
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
- Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
- 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
- Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
- Guatemala city walking tour on afternoon 14.00, 2 persons and up: $39
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Tour around antigua's villages: $50
- 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Guatemala City $6.84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Guatemala City, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Ignacio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Ignacio 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 Ignacio Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.