Is Guatemala City expensive to visit?
Guatemala City is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Guatemala City can definitely get expensive if you let it, but you have options to reduce costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $37 (Q289) per day, mid-range travelers spend $55 (Q430) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $80 (Q617) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Guatemala City.
Within Central America, Guatemala City is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Central America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Guatemala City.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Guatemala City Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Guatemala City?
The average Guatemala City trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Guatemala City travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Guatemala City cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your budget for Guatemala City. Many assume they can visit on a shoestring, but most travelers find that to be very challenging. Think about what matters to you when traveling. Is it staying in a resort, visiting all the attractions, or dining out at nice restaurants? These factors will determine how much you spend on your trip.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $37 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Luckily, there are plenty of hostels in Guatemala City, such as Tequila Sunrise, Hostal Los Lagos, and Hostal Los Volcanes. Staying at these hostels means you can score affordable dorm lodging and a lively social vibe, but be prepared for basic amenities.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Visitors to Guatemala City typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $55 per person, per day.
There's a wide selection of hotels and vacation rentals in Guatemala City. If you're traveling with others, sharing a hotel room with a partner, friend, or kids will help split costs and save money. When traveling as a family, look for hotels and restaurants that welcome children. Hotel San Carlos Guatemala City is a great choice for kids, and La Inmaculada Hotel is another wonderful option. For more family and couple-friendly places to stay, check out our Guatemala City hotel costs guide.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $80 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the destination with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Guatemala City
Guatemala City has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $65 in the off-season and averages $121 during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $36 to $200. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Guatemala City for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $48 (Q374). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $24 (Q187) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Guatemala City include:
- Holiday Inn Guatemala starting at $94
- Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City starting at $77
- Grand Tikal Futura Hotel starting at $100
- Best Western Plus Hotel Stofella starting at $80
- Adriatika Hotel Boutique starting at $66
Traveling during the shoulder or low season (instead of ) means you'll get lower prices on accommodations and have fewer crowds to deal with.
Transportation Budget in Guatemala City
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $6.17 (Q48) per person, per day, on local transportation in Guatemala City. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Guatemala City is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$6.17
Q48
The airport serving Guatemala City is La Aurora International Airport located in the city's southern part in Zone 13. There are daily arrivals from the USA, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. The only flight available within the country is between Guatemala City and Flores.
By car, Central American highways CA-1 and CA-9 run through Guatemala City.
By bus, there are "chicken buses" available from almost any place in Guatemala to Guatemala City. Be aware that these buses are poorly maintained recycled school buses with drivers who do not always adhere to speed limits, and sometime carry suspicious passengers. The safest method of travel is to make arrangements with a cab or shuttle company ahead of time.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan for $80 details
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua for $80 details
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala for $120 details
How much does it cost to go to Guatemala City? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Guatemala City will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Guatemala City
Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Guatemala City can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Guatemala City is $27 (Q206) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$27
Q206
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Guatemala City is around $27 (Q206) per person, with previous travelers spending from $12 to $44. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Guatemala City are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $8
- Lunch: $4 to $11
- Dinner: $8 to $19
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $4
Being Guatemala's capital city, Guatemala City has just about every kind of food you could ask for, from international fare to American fast food chains. Sampling street food can be risky, but also is a great way to experience a variety of local flavors. Guatemalan cuisine prominently features corn, chilies, and beans as key ingredients as well as dishes with rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, and tortillas. Tamales are a common local favorite. They come in a variety of ways, but basically consist of a dish made of masa (or maize), which is steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf and usually filled with meat, fruits, and/or nuts. Other main dishes include a seafood soup with plantain slices called tapado, a variety of stews made with meat, vegetables, and spices, as well as a kind of stuffed pepper dish called chiles rellenos. Desserts typically consist of banana bread, a Spanish rice pudding called arrroz con leche, and chick peas in syrup, amongst many others.
Many establishments feature breakfast in their pricing, although some tack it on as an added expense. The price and quality can fluctuate depending on the hotel. Being aware of this beforehand helps you gauge if you'll need extra cash. The hotel buffet might be a delicious choice, or you could save some cash by heading to a nearby bakery or cafe.
Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying drinks everywhere you go. It's good for the earth, too.
Planning a tour? Be sure to confirm in advance which meals are provided. You could find yourself footing the bill for some meals, which can affect your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Guatemala City, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Cooking class/Pepian Workshop for $35 details
- MAYAN COOKING Class with Private Chef for $75 details
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City for $188 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Guatemala City
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Guatemala City typically cost an average of $1.21 (Q9.38) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$1.21
Q9.38
Two of the most impressive architectural sights of Guatemala City lie at its center in the vicinity of Parque Central. The National Palace of Culture is one of these sights with a history dating back its construction from 1939 to 1943. The second of these sights is the Cathedral of Guatemala City, decorated in baroque and classical elements that have survived several earthquakes since its construction began in 1783. In addition to these grandiose examples of architecture, Guatemala City is also known for its museums. Some of the best include the Ixchel Museum of traditional costumes located at the campus of Universidad Francisco Marroquín, a museum of modern art, and a natural history museum, amongst others. There are also a handful of museums dedicated to the archaeology of the Mayan civilization, some of which include Popol Vuh Museum, Archaeology and Ethnology Museum, and the Museo Miraflores. There is even an early Maya ruin right in the heart of the city called Kaminaljuyu.
Other highlights include La Aurora Zoo (Zone 13) and a relief map of Guatemala (Zone 2) from 1902 that is so extensive it needs to be viewed from an observation tower.
Guatemala City is a place where you can get lost in a chaotic culture, taking in the sights and sounds and flavors of it all. There are a number of impressive historic structures as well as museums to occupy days of activity. The nightlife in Zona Viva is especially lively, while the daytime center lies at Parque Central. There are also a number of shopping malls and plazas to venture into as well as a handful of markets to explore. If you wish to take a break from the bustle, you can escape to any other Guatemalan destination easily as Guatemala City is a hub for transportation. There are also opportunities to get out and hike the volcanoes of the area, the nearest being Volcan Pacaya.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Guatemala City. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- 4-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City for $70 details
- Private Night City Photo Tour in Guatemala for $50 details
- Glimpse Of Guatemala - Tour Only for $147 details
Guatemala City
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.