A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guatemala City vs. Puerto Montt for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guatemala City or Puerto Montt?

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

Should I visit Guatemala City or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt?

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.

Puerto Montt

The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt 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.

  • Guatemala City Prices
    Guatemala Prices
    Puerto Montt Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Guatemala City $56
    Puerto Montt $104

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $104. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $24
    Puerto Montt $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Puerto Montt

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Puerto Montt? 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 Guatemala City


Hotels in Puerto Montt


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 Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.25
    Puerto Montt $6.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $26
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $26
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $28
  • Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $33
  • Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • Private transfer Guatemala airport to Antigua.: $60
  • Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $65
  • Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan : $67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:

  • Puerto Montt Departure Transfer from Hotel: $23
  • Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
  • Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $25
  • Cruce Andino Office Transfer to or from Puerto Montt: $32
  • Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $37
  • Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas English private Guided Transfer: $40
  • Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Private Transfer: $42
  • Puerto Tepual Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $42
  • Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
  • Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas Airport English private transfer: $50
  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas: $50
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Puerto Montt?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Guatemala City $27
    Puerto Montt $37

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.
    Guatemala City $1.22
    Puerto Montt $14

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

Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:

  • Private Tour of Puerto Montt with Stops : $38
  • Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
  • Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
  • Explore Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Montt : $64
  • Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Jumps / English: $68
  • Shore Excursion: Osorno Volcano Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $70
  • Osorno Volcano and National Park Shore Tour for Cruisers : $90
  • Puerto Varas: Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas Private City Tour: $90
  • Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $105
  • Petrohué Falls Osorno Volcano Pto Varas Sightseeing Driver Only: $130
  • Tagua Tagua Lake and Wild Patagonia Tour: $133
  • Chiloé Island Full Day Experience Castro, Ancud, Dalcahue & Lunch: $189

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.93
    Puerto Montt $4.49

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 Guatemala City and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guatemala City is in Central America and Puerto Montt is in South 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Guatemala City Expensive? and Is Puerto Montt Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Puerto Montt?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Puerto Montt, 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.