Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or San Pedro?
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 San Pedro or Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro or Guatemala City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Pedro or Guatemala City?
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
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San Pedro Prices
Belize PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro $163Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $163, 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 San Pedro and Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro $66Guatemala City $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro $132Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro $34Guatemala City $6.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $210
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
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and San Pedro 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 daySan Pedro $69Guatemala City $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Maya Sunset Dinner Feast: $49
- The Maya Dinner Experience: Season 2: $111
- The Garifuna Dinner Experience: Season I: $111
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro $33Guatemala City $1.22
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- The Maya Brunch Experience: $44
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $59
- Haunted Tales of the Maya: Cocktail | Dessert Experience: $66
- Ambergris Caye Food and History Tour: $75
- Half Day Snorkeling Tour Caye Caulker: $80
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $85
- Belizean Food Experience: $87
- San Pedro Local Diving Experience : $97
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $99
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $99
- Caye Caulker Private Camping Adventure: $100
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $113
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro $16Guatemala 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 San Pedro and Guatemala City, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro 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.
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.