Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
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San Ignacio Prices
Belize PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $87Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $87, 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 San Ignacio and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Guatemala City $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Guatemala City $50
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 $6.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- Transfer from Belize Airport to San Ignacio: $210
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Airport Transfer for Large Groups – Private Bus: $195
- Guatemala Airport (GUA) to San Felipe de Lara - Arrival Transfer: $186
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $166
- PRIVATE TRANSFER From Airport/Guate City to ANTIGUA or Vice-versa: $40
- Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $26
- Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
- Private Departure Transfer:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport(GUA): $24
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
- Private Transfer - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $207
- Private Transfer Aeropuerto to Antigua Guatemala Cities Transfer: $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 $36Guatemala City $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Maya Fish Cooking Experience: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Guatemala City $1.23
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tea Tasting Medicinal Tour: $25
- Night Hike Tour: Critters of the Night: $28
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $85
- Adventure Sun Set Horse Ride: $90
- Tikal SUNSET, Archeological focus and Wildlife Spotting Tour (South and East): $91
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $95
- Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio: $95
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $95
- LOST WORLD CEREMONIAL CAVE- Exciting Adventure at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch: $98
- Yaxha Archaeological Focus Day Tour with Monkeys Spotting: $115
- Yaxha Archaeological Focus Afternoon and Sunset Tour with Monkeys Spotting: $120
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $125
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: $35
- Guatemala city walking tour only weekends. 2 persons and up: $39
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
- Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
- Night Photo Tour in Guatemala City: $50
- Heart of Guatemala City Tour with Local Guide: $50
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Shared City Tour: $54
- Pacaya Volcano Shared Hiking Tour: $59
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
- Half-Day Guatemala City Tour: $60
- Half Day Tour Of Guatemala City: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Guatemala City $6.96
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.