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

Should you visit Tokyo or Guatemala City?

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

Should I visit Tokyo 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: Tokyo or Guatemala City?

Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.

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 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, 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 Tokyo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $157, 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 Tokyo and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tokyo $77
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tokyo $154
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Tokyo 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 Tokyo


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: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tokyo $17
    Guatemala City $6.18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $17
  • Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Narita Int Airport(NRT): $33
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Cruise Port to Tokyo City Hotels: $38
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $38
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo city hotels to Tokyo Cruise Port: $38
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $43
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND): $43
  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Haneda Airport (HND): $46
  • Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer: $51
  • Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Yokohama Port: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • From Panajachel: Transfer to Guatemala City: $240
  • Transfer: From Guatemala City to El Paredon Beach: $240
  • Guatemala Airport to San Felipe de Lara RoundTrip PrivateTransfer: $154
  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
  • Guatemala City Airport(GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
  • Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
  • Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $77
  • Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
  • One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
  • Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Tokyo 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
    Tokyo $37
    Guatemala City $15
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.23
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.23
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.81

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
  • Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
  • 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
  • Private Sushi Roll Cooking Class in Japan: $39
  • Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
  • Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji 90-Minute cooking class: $54
  • Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
  • Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
  • Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $61
  • 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $65
  • Japanese Home Cooking Class near Tokyo Disneyland: $66
  • 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $67

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tokyo $69
    Guatemala City $1.21

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.

  • Japan: Zen and Tea Ceremony Audio Guided Tour: $3.27
  • Asakusa Walking Tour with an Experienced Japanese Comedian: $3.34
  • Ancient Orient Museum Admission Ticket: $3.92
  • Samurai and Bushido Audio Guided Tour: $4.71
  • 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket: $5.23
  • Harajuku: Audio Guide Tour of Takeshita Street: $6.54
  • Ueno: Self-Guided Tour of Ameyoko and Hidden Gems: $6.54
  • Akihabara (Tokyo): English Audio Guide Tour: $6.54
  • Shibuya Sightseeing with an Audio Guide: $6.54
  • Asakusa(Tokyo): Smartphone Audio Guide Tour: $6.54
  • Tokyo Shibuya Bar Hopping Tour: $6.54
  • Ueno Park Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $6.54

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • 2-Day Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City or Antigua: $265
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $130
  • 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
  • 4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $65
  • Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure from Guatemala City : $300
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
  • Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
  • Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tokyo $33
    Guatemala City $6.85
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $3.92

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:

  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
  • Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $80
  • Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $92
  • barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $98
  • Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
  • Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $105
  • Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $137
  • Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
  • Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $167
  • Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
  • Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $233


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


Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Guatemala City?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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.