Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tulum or Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Guatemala City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Guatemala City?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Guatemala City $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Guatemala City $24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Guatemala City $6.17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Tulum to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Private Departure Transfer: $70
- Xcaret to Tulum - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Xcaret - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $76
- Tulum to Playa del Carmen - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $82
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Horseback Riding in the Jungle w/ Transfers and Lunch: $100
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- PRIVATE Group Transfer From Guatemala City to La Antigua: $20
- Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $23
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
- Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $74
- Transfer from Guatemala City hotel to INTL Airport La Aurora: $75
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Guatemala City $15
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- 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.Tulum $32Guatemala City $1.21
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
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
- 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
- UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
- Tour around antigua's villages: $50
- Half-Day Guatemala City Tour : $55
- 3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $55
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
- Guatemala City Afternoon Sightseeing Tour: $60
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Guatemala City $6.84
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Guatemala City, we can see that Tulum is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North America 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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.