Is Guatemala Expensive?

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 $73
Guatemala City $55
San Pedro La Laguna $44
Flores $42


Old Town Antigua Guatemala

How expensive is Guatemala?

On average, visitors spend about $58 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 $407 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 $814.

How expensive is a two week trip to Guatemala?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Guatemala costs around $814 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $1,627.

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 $1,743 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $3,487.



Tikal, Guatemala

Is it expensive to backpack in Guatemala?

Guatemala is a popular backpacker destination with more than 90 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $13 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 $15 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Panajachel which average $10 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
  • $13 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 45 $13
Guatemala City 16 $11
Flores 15 $15
Panajachel 8 $10

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

2da calle Poniente No.7 Antigua, Antigua Guatemala
Overall Rating 9.5
Primera Avenida 13-22 Zona 10, Guatemala City
Overall Rating 8.9


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
  • Experience: Organic Coffee, Avocados, Honey & More!: $59
  • Tour de Miradores en ATV: $55
  • 4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $70
  • Tikal Tour From Flores, airport and Tikal hotels in Guatemala : $99
  • Tikal Day Tour From San Ignacio Belize: $145
  • Tikal VIP Private Sunset Tour from Flores Guatemala: $170
  • Private Night City Photo Tour in Guatemala: $50

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 $23 per day on food, per person.

  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
  • Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $50
  • Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $90
  • The Culinary Antigua Food Tour: $116
  • Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience: $44


Guatemala City

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.



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