Is Guatemala expensive to visit?
Guatemala is not only a popular destination, but it is also fairly affordable. Compared to the rest of Central America, it is a very affordable country to visit. It's ranked in the top 10% of countries in Central America for its affordability, and is comparable to destinations such as El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Guatemala has a handful of popular destinations that attract visitors. One of the most expensive places to visit is Antigua Guatemala. For more affordability, you can see Flores.
Average daily price of selected cities in Guatemala, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Antigua Guatemala | $63 |
| Guatemala City | $44 |
| San Pedro La Laguna | $36 |
| Flores | $33 |
Tikal, Guatemala
How expensive is Guatemala?
On average, visitors spend about $49 per day during their visit to Guatemala (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Guatemala here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Guatemala?
A one week trip to Guatemala costs about $342 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $685.
How expensive is a two week trip to Guatemala?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Guatemala costs around $685 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $1,369.
How expensive is a month long trip to Guatemala?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Guatemala will cost around $1,467 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $2,934.
Guatemala City
Is it expensive to backpack in Guatemala?
Guatemala is a popular backpacker destination with more than 70 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $12 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in Guatemala here.) In particular, many backpackers head to Antigua Guatemala and Guatemala City. You'll find the most expensive hostels in Flores, which average $13 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Panajachel which average $9 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Guatemala.
- $11 for a dorm bed at Tropicana Hostel in Antigua
- $12 for a dorm bed at Tequila Sunrise in Guatemala City
- $9 for a dorm bed at Los Amigos Hostel in Flores
Where to find affordable hostels in Guatemala
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua Guatemala | 34 | $13 |
| Guatemala City | 13 | $12 |
| Flores | 9 | $13 |
| Panajachel | 6 | $9 |
Are hotels expensive in Guatemala?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Guatemala, we can see that they are slightly lower in cost compared to other countries. The average rate for a room is approximately $72 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like Panajachel commanding a higher average of $91 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango, where hotel prices average around $65 and $58 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in Guatemala
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Panajachel | $91 |
| Flores | $73 |
| Antigua Guatemala | $73 |
| Guatemala City | $65 |
| Quetzaltenango | $58 |
Old Town Antigua Guatemala
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Guatemala?
In Guatemala, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $22 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.
- Tikal Private Day Tour Maya Adventure from Flores: $209
- Altamira tour by Mule/buggy for 2 persons: $115
- Tikal VIP Small Group Tour From Flores Or Tikal: $128
- Mountain Bike Tour through Guatemala: $125
- Tikal Day Tour From San Ignacio Belize: $145
- Tikal VIP Exclusive Sunset Tour all-Inclusive : $175
- Tikal Day Adventure from San Ignacio (Lunch Included): $179
- Yaxha VIP Exclusive Sunset Tour all inclusive: $150
Is food expensive in Guatemala?
In Guatemala, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $14 per day on food, per person.
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295
- Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
- Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $55
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
Guatemala
Is transportation expensive in Guatemala?
Local transportation in Guatemala can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $9 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Expenses for intercity transportation within Guatemala can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $25 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.
More for Guatemala
If you're planning a trip to Guatemala, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.