Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Guatemala City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Guatemala City or La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or La Paz? 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: Guatemala City or La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesLa Paz Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56La Paz $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in La Paz 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 Guatemala City and La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24La Paz $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or La Paz? 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.
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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.25La Paz $9.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $90
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
- Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $65
- Private transfer Guatemala airport to Antigua.: $60
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $28
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $209
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban: $161
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
- Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan : $67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25
- Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
- Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
- Airport Transfer In_night: $47
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
- Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
- Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City : $68
- Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz and Guatemala City 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
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Food Meals for one dayGuatemala City $27La Paz $29
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
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Fruit$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- La Paz : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $77
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.22La Paz $16
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $195
- 3 Days Tour in Acatenango Volcano: $240
- 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
- 4-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $70
- Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
- Antigua Guatemala & Guatemala City Tour: $65
- Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $65
- Antigua Guatemala Stopover Tour: $75
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets: $5.00
- City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
- Walking tour La Paz city: $14
- El Alto Tour: Andean Spirituality, the Chola, and Cable Car Views: $16
- Half Day Guided Tour in El Alto City: $19
- La Paz City Tour Essential: $23
- Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
- La Paz Private Walking Tour with a Local: $30
- La Paz Guided Sightseeing Tour on Bus and Cable Car: $30
- Smells like La Paz spirit: Walking & artistic city tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.93La Paz $11
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 comparing the travel costs between Guatemala City and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Guatemala City is in Central America and La Paz is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guatemala City Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or La Paz?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and La Paz, 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.
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.