Planning a trip to Guatemala and wondering about the costs? You're in the right place! Guatemala is one of the most affordable destinations in Central America, offering incredible value for travelers of all budgets. Whether you're a backpacker looking to stretch every dollar or seeking a comfortable mid-range experience, this comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what you can expect to spend.
From accommodation and food to transportation and activities, we'll cover all the essential expenses and share money-saving tips to help you plan your perfect Guatemala adventure without breaking the bank.
Quick Budget Overview
Budget Backpacker
per day
- Hostel dorms
- Street food & comedores
- Chicken buses
- Free activities
Mid-Range Traveler
per day
- Comfortable hotels
- Restaurant meals
- Tourist shuttles
- Guided tours
Luxury Traveler
per day
- Luxury hotels & resorts
- Fine dining
- Private transportation
- Premium experiences
Accommodation Costs
Budget Options
- Hostel Dorms: $8-15/night - Great for solo travelers and meeting people
- Private Hostel Rooms: $20-35/night - More privacy while staying social
- Budget Hotels: $25-50/night - Basic but clean and comfortable
Mid-Range & Luxury
- Mid-Range Hotels: $60-100/night - Comfortable rooms with amenities
- Boutique Hotels: $100-150/night - Unique character and excellent service
- Luxury Resorts: $150-300+/night - Premium facilities and experiences
Money-Saving Tip
Book accommodation in advance during high season (November-April) for better rates. Consider staying in less touristy towns like San Pedro La Laguna or Quetzaltenango for 30-40% savings compared to Antigua.
Food & Dining Costs
Budget Dining
- Street Food: $2-4/meal - Tacos, tamales, tostadas
- Comedores (Local Eateries): $3-6/meal - Traditional set menus
- Market Food: $2-5/meal - Fresh and authentic
- Supermarket Groceries: $15-25/week - Self-catering option
Restaurant Dining
- Casual Restaurants: $8-15/meal - Tourist-friendly spots
- Mid-Range Restaurants: $15-25/meal - Quality local and international
- Fine Dining: $30-50+/meal - Upscale experiences
- Drinks: Beer $2-4, Coffee $1-3, Cocktails $4-8
Daily Food Budget Estimates
- Budget: $10-15/day (street food and comedores)
- Mid-Range: $25-40/day (mix of local and tourist restaurants)
- Luxury: $50-80/day (fine dining and premium experiences)
Transportation Costs
Local Transport
- Chicken Bus$1-5
- Tuk-Tuk (in town)$1-3
- City Bus$0.25-0.50
- Taxi (short ride)$3-8
Long Distance
- Tourist Shuttle$10-30
- First-Class Bus$15-50
- Domestic Flight$80-150
- Private Transfer$50-150
Car Rental
- Economy Car$30-50/day
- SUV/4WD$60-100/day
- Gasoline$4-5/gallon
- Parking$2-5/day
Popular Route Costs
- Guatemala City to Antigua: Chicken bus $1.50, Shuttle $10-15, Private $40-60
- Antigua to Lake Atitlan: Chicken bus $3-5, Shuttle $15-25, Private $80-120
- Guatemala City to Flores/Tikal: Bus $20-40, Flight $80-150
Tours & Activities Costs
Popular Tours
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight: $60-100
- Tikal Ruins Day Tour: $40-80 (from Flores)
- Lake Atitlan Boat Tour: $15-30
- Semuc Champey Tour: $25-50
- Antigua Walking Tour: $10-25
- Chichicastenango Market: $20-40
Activities & Entrance Fees
- Zip-lining: $30-60
- Kayaking/SUP Rental: $5-15/hour
- Scuba Diving: $40-80/dive
- Spanish Classes: $100-200/week
- Tikal Entrance: $20 (foreigners)
- Museum Entrance: $3-8
Free & Low-Cost Activities
Many amazing experiences in Guatemala are free or very affordable:
- • Hiking around Lake Atitlan villages (free)
- • Exploring Antigua's colonial streets and ruins ($3-5 entrance)
- • Swimming in natural pools and waterfalls (free-$2)
- • Visiting local markets (free to browse)
- • Watching sunset from viewpoints (free)
Sample Daily Budget Breakdowns
Budget Backpacker: $30/day
- Hostel dorm bed$10
- Breakfast (street food)$2
- Lunch (comedor)$4
- Dinner (market/street)$5
- Local transport$3
- Activities/entrance fees$4
- Snacks/drinks$2
- Total$30
Mid-Range Traveler: $95/day
- Comfortable hotel$40
- Breakfast (café)$5
- Lunch (restaurant)$10
- Dinner (nice restaurant)$15
- Transport/taxis$8
- Activities/entrance fees$10
- Drinks/extras$7
- Total$95
*Note: This doesn't include a tour day. Add $30-60 for days with organized tours.
Luxury Traveler: $265/day
- Luxury hotel/resort$120
- Breakfast (hotel/upscale)$15
- Lunch (fine dining)$25
- Dinner (fine dining)$40
- Private transport$20
- Premium activities$30
- Drinks/extras$15
- Total$265
Top Money-Saving Tips
Eat Like a Local
Skip tourist restaurants and eat at comedores and markets. You'll save 50-70% and experience authentic Guatemalan cuisine. Look for places packed with locals.
Use Chicken Buses
While less comfortable, chicken buses are incredibly cheap ($1-5 vs $15-30 for shuttles). They're safe during daytime and offer an authentic cultural experience.
Travel in Shoulder Season
Visit in May or September-October for 20-30% lower accommodation prices. Weather is still good, and you'll avoid crowds while saving money.
Join Group Tours
Group tours are much cheaper than private ones. You'll meet other travelers and save 40-60% on popular activities like volcano hikes and Tikal visits.
Withdraw Cash Wisely
Use ATMs at banks (not standalone machines) to avoid high fees. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently. Banco Industrial has good rates and wide availability.
Stay Longer in One Place
Negotiate weekly or monthly rates at hostels and hotels for 20-40% discounts. You'll also save on transportation costs and discover hidden local gems.
Best Value Destinations in Guatemala
San Pedro La Laguna
The most budget-friendly town on Lake Atitlan. Hostels from $8/night, meals from $3, and stunning lake views. Perfect for backpackers and long-term travelers.
Quetzaltenango (Xela)
Guatemala's second city offers authentic experiences at lower prices than Antigua. Great for Spanish schools, with accommodation from $15/night and meals from $4.
Semuc Champey
Natural paradise with budget hostels from $10/night. While remote, the stunning turquoise pools and cave adventures offer incredible value for adventure seekers.
Antigua Guatemala
While more touristy, Antigua still offers good value with hostels from $12/night. The colonial charm, free walking tours, and nearby volcanoes make it worth the slightly higher costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to travel in Guatemala per day?
Daily costs in Guatemala vary by travel style: budget backpackers spend $25-40/day (hostels, street food, local buses), mid-range travelers spend $60-100/day (comfortable hotels, restaurants, private shuttles), and luxury travelers spend $150+/day (high-end hotels, fine dining, private tours). Guatemala is one of the most affordable destinations in Central America.
How much does accommodation cost in Guatemala?
Accommodation costs range from $8-15/night for hostel dorms, $25-50/night for budget hotels and private hostel rooms, $60-100/night for mid-range hotels with amenities, and $150+/night for luxury hotels and resorts. Popular destinations like Antigua and Lake Atitlan offer excellent value across all price ranges.
How much does food cost in Guatemala?
Food costs are very affordable: street food and local comedores cost $2-5/meal, casual restaurants $5-12/meal, mid-range restaurants $12-20/meal, and fine dining $25+/meal. A typical daily food budget ranges from $10-15 for budget travelers to $40-60 for those dining at nicer restaurants.
What is the cheapest way to travel around Guatemala?
Chicken buses (local buses) are the cheapest option at $1-5 for most routes, though they're slower and less comfortable. Shuttle buses cost $10-30 between major tourist destinations and offer more comfort. For longer distances, first-class buses cost $15-50 and provide air conditioning and comfort. Tuk-tuks within towns cost $1-3.
How much do tours and activities cost in Guatemala?
Tour prices vary: Day tours cost $25-60 (volcano hikes, city tours, market visits), multi-day tours cost $100-300 (Tikal overnight, jungle treks), adventure activities cost $30-80 (zip-lining, kayaking, diving), and entrance fees range from $5-20 for most archaeological sites and national parks.
Is Guatemala cheaper than Mexico or Costa Rica?
Yes, Guatemala is generally 20-30% cheaper than Mexico and 40-50% cheaper than Costa Rica. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all more affordable in Guatemala, making it one of the best value destinations in Central America for budget-conscious travelers.
How much money should I budget for a week in Guatemala?
For a week in Guatemala, budget travelers should plan $175-280 (7 days × $25-40/day), mid-range travelers $420-700 (7 days × $60-100/day), and luxury travelers $1,050+ (7 days × $150+/day). Add 10-15% extra for unexpected expenses, souvenirs, and special activities.
Final Thoughts on Guatemala Travel Costs
Guatemala offers exceptional value for travelers of all budgets. Whether you're a backpacker stretching every dollar or seeking a comfortable mid-range experience, you'll find that your money goes far in this beautiful Central American country.
The key to managing your Guatemala travel budget is flexibility and willingness to embrace local experiences. Eating at comedores instead of tourist restaurants, taking chicken buses instead of shuttles, and staying in less touristy towns can cut your costs by 40-50% while providing more authentic cultural experiences.
Remember that these costs are estimates and can vary based on your travel style, season, and specific destinations. Always budget 10-15% extra for unexpected expenses, souvenirs, and spontaneous adventures. With proper planning and smart choices, Guatemala can be one of the most affordable and rewarding travel destinations in the world.
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