Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Guatemala City or Puerto Vallarta? 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 Vallarta?
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 Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuatemala City $56Puerto Vallarta $128
The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $56, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $128. 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 Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuatemala City $24Puerto Vallarta $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuatemala City $48Puerto Vallarta $114
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City or Puerto Vallarta? 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 Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guatemala City $6.25Puerto Vallarta $17
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 Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Roundtrip Shuttle Airport Transfer: $32
- Shared transfer from PVR airport to Downtown: $43
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Marina hotels - Airport: $49
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers - Airport - Zona Hotelera - Airport: $54
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta Port: $56
- PVR VIP Roundtrip Transfer from Airport - Nuevo Nayarit - Airport: $64
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
- Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port to Puerto Vallarta hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Puerto Vallarta hotels to Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port-Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport(PVR) to Cruise Port: $72
- PVR VIP Round trip transfers Airport Conchas Chinas Airport: $74
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR): $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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 $27Puerto Vallarta $58
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Seafood Lover's Tour with Vallarta Food Tours : $59
- Winner 2025 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Mexican Cooking Class, Tequila Tasting & Unlimited Margaritas: $89
- Mexican Cooking Class and Tequila Tasting: $95
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour : $99
- Market Visit and Mexican Cooking Class: $106
- Private Mexican Cooking Class & Tequila Cocktail at Tanya’s Home: $108
- Authentic Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta with Local Chef, Manu: $119
- Puerto Vallarta- Market tour and Cooking Experience : $134
- Rhythms of the night, sunset cruise, open bar & oceanfront dinner: $159
- Night Rhythms - Alma - Show and Dinner in Puerto Vallarta: $209
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guatemala City $1.22Puerto Vallarta $17
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 Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- Tequila Tasting Tour in Nuevo Vallarta: $5.00
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Butterfly Experience Nature Park Admission : $22
- City tour express; butterfly, tequila, and beach an ecological day: $22
- Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $22
- Hop On Hop Off Tour with Free Stops in Puerto Vallarta: $25
- Butterfly Sanctuary Guided Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $27
- Historic Downtown Ghost Walking Tour: $28
- Full-Day Puerto Vallarta City Highlights Tour: $29
- Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $29
- EcoHike experience through the jungle, mountains and hidden beach: $30
- Puerto Vallarta VIP Promotional Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuatemala City $6.93Puerto Vallarta $22
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $18
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Mexican Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta 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 Vallarta is in North 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 Vallarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Vallarta 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 Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Puerto Vallarta?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City and Puerto Vallarta, 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.