A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Guatemala City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Guatemala City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Guatemala City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Guatemala City?

Acapulco de Juarez

Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.

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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Acapulco de Juarez?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Acapulco de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Guatemala City Prices
    Guatemala Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Acapulco de Juarez $92
    Guatemala City $56

The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $92, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Acapulco de Juarez and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Acapulco de Juarez $35
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Acapulco de Juarez $70
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez 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.

Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez


Hotels in Guatemala City


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: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Acapulco de Juarez $15
    Guatemala City $6.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:

  • Shared Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
  • Shared Transfer to Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
  • Private Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
  • Private Transfer to Acapulco Airport (ACA): $13
  • Roundtrip Shared Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $27
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA): $27
  • Airport Transfer In Suburban: $45
  • Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $45
  • Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
  • Acapulco Airport Roundtrip Transfers: $75
  • Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $33
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $167
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $26
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $26
  • Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
  • Private Transfer - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $209
  • Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan : $67
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Acapulco de Juarez 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 day
    Acapulco de Juarez $45
    Guatemala City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.

  • Lucha Libre-Wrestling FiestaExper Taco Dinner Beer ONLY SUNDAYS: $62
  • High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner + Two Drinks plus SUNSET: $66
  • Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only On SUNDAY: $74
  • Sunset Dinner and Cliff Divers in Acapulco: $91
  • Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour with a Professional Chef: $100
  • Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
  • Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $253
  • Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $286

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.

  • PRIVATE MAYAN COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF EN Guatemala City: $65
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $175
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Acapulco de Juarez $16
    Guatemala City $1.22

Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez

Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $22
  • Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
  • Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $53
  • Different Faces Of Acapulco Tour: $55
  • Acapulco Port Tour in 4 hours: $56
  • 4hr Fun Guide Tour For Cruisers or Hotels Guests with Divers Show: $58
  • 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $60
  • Acapulco City Tour: $65
  • Acapulco Historical Tour with Cliff Divers Show: $65
  • City Tour & Sunset High Cliff Divers by Night w/Different Choices: $67
  • 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $67
  • Tour Isla de la Roqueta Stand up paddle Acapulco: $67

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:

  • Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
  • 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $30
  • Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
  • Walking Tour of Guatemala City's Historical Center: $35
  • Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
  • Private Tour: Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour from Antigua Guatemala: $35
  • Guatemala city walking tour on afternoon 14.00, 2 persons and up: $39
  • Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
  • City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
  • Private Night City Photo Tour in Guatemala: $50
  • Historical and natural bike tour in Guatemala City: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Acapulco de Juarez $9.81
    Guatemala City $6.93

Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City

Also in Guatemala City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Guatemala City, we can see that Acapulco de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Guatemala City?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez 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.