Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Surfers Paradise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise 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: Surfers Paradise or Guatemala City?
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
-
Surfers Paradise Prices
Australia PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurfers Paradise $135Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $135, 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 Surfers Paradise and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurfers Paradise $73Guatemala City $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurfers Paradise $146Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise 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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surfers Paradise $12Guatemala City $6.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
- Private Transfers From Gold Coast to Brisbane: $178
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Transfer from La Aurora airport to Antigua Guatemala.: $80
- Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
- San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $41
- Private transfer from La Aurora Airport to Panajachel: $78
- Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $78
- Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
- Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Surfers Paradise 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 daySurfers Paradise $50Guatemala City $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
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
- Cooking Experience in Guatemala from Market to Table: $60
- 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.Surfers Paradise $26Guatemala City $1.23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Surf Lesson$85
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $20
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Midday River Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise - 2 Hour Gold Coast Sightseeing Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $28
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing River Cruises: $28
- Sandbox Virtual Reality Experience - Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast: $32
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $32
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $38
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
- Gold Coast JetBlast Jet Boat Ride – 40-Minute Thrill Experience: $39
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $39
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 1 Day Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City: $150
- 2-Day Tour: Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan and Hobbitenango: $299
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $199
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
- Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
- Antigua City Tour Full Day From Guatemala City: $60
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Shared City Tour: $60
- Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $79
- Antigua Guatemala NIGHT Photo Tour FROM Guatemala City: $125
- Chichicastenango Day Tour from Guatemala City: $115
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySurfers Paradise $12Guatemala City $6.97
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 Surfers Paradise and Guatemala City, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surfers Paradise is in Pacific 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surfers Paradise or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Surfers Paradise 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.