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

Should you visit Halong Bay or Guatemala City?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Halong Bay and Guatemala City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Halong Bay or Guatemala City?

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, 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 Halong Bay?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $66, 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 Halong Bay and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Halong Bay $27
    Guatemala City $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Halong Bay $54
    Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay


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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Halong Bay $13
    Guatemala City $6.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:

  • Transfer Ha Long and Ninh Binh by Limousine Bus: $18
  • Bus Transfer From Cat Ba Island To Ninh Binh/Ninh binh To Cat Ba: $19
  • Transfer from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh with D-Class Limousine: $20
  • Transfer From Halong to Ninh Binh: $25
  • Transfer Ha Long to Ha Noi Super Limousine Morning Bus: $33
  • From Hanoi with Expessway Transfer to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip: $42
  • Best Seller Halong Full Day Tour All Included Expressway Transfer: $48
  • Halong Bay 1 Day Tour Included Limousine Bus Transfer from Hanoi: $48
  • Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking,Swimming,Highway Transfer: $49
  • Alova Premium Cruise Halong Deluxe Day Tour with Transfer & Meal: $55
  • Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Haiphong city hotels: $56
  • Private Transfer: Cat Bi Airport to/from Ha Long, Tuan Chau: $60

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 Halong Bay or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Halong Bay 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
    Halong Bay $26
    Guatemala City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.

  • Cat Ba Paradise Cave Experience with Dinner and Live Music: $41
  • Paradise Cave Dinner with Live Music and Tasting in Cat Ba: $42
  • Halong's Hidden Gem: Dragon Pearl Cave Tour with Dinner: $47
  • Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $51
  • Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $210

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.
    Halong Bay $16
    Guatemala City $1.22

Tours and Activities in Halong Bay

Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City Sightseeing Ha Long Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $19
  • JADESAILS CRUISE-The Most Luxurious Day Tour in Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay: $20
  • Sun World Halong Admission Ticket: $20
  • Majestic Sunset Boat Tour: Explore Lan Ha Bay’s Stunning Scenery: $27
  • Breathtaking Sunset Boat Tours to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island : $27
  • From Cat Ba Island: Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore Lan Ha Bay : $27
  • Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore the Stunning Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba: $27
  • From Cat Ba Island: Amazing Sunset Tour in Lan Ha Bay, Kayaking: $28
  • Half-Day Lan Ha Bay Adventure: Boat Jumping, Kayaking, Sunset : $28
  • Magical Sunset Tour: Kayaking & Swimming in Lan Ha Bay: $28
  • From Cat Ba: Amazing Sunset Boat Tour in Lan Ha Bay: $28
  • From Cat Ba: Explore Lan Ha Bay with Amazing Sunset Boat Tour: $28

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
    Halong Bay $12
    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 Halong Bay and Guatemala City, we can see that Halong Bay is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Halong Bay is in Asia 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 Halong Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.