Want to see our exact Guatemala trip cost? In this post, I break down exactly how much we spent on a two-person, one-week trip to Guatemala, including transportation, food, lodging, and activities — plus tips to help you stick to your Guatemala travel budget. If you’re trying to figure out what a realistic Guatemala travel budget looks like, you’re in the right place.
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- Our Travel Style
- Guatemala Itinerary Overview: 1 Week in Antigua & Lake Atitlán
- Our Total Guatemala Trip Cost: Full Budget Breakdown
- How Much Cash to Have in Guatemala
- Who to Book Your Shuttles and Transfers With in Guatemala
- Budget Travel Tips for Guatemala
- FAQs: Guatemala Trip Cost and Budget Travel
- Final Thoughts on Our Guatemala Trip Budget
- My Go-To Travel Favorites
Our Travel Style
Travel style is important as it gives context to what was spent. There is always a way, with any trip, to do a trip cheaper or to do it for more. Understanding our travel style is key to interpreting our Guatemala trip cost.
My boyfriend and I like to balance comfort and value when we travel together. I look for accommodations in great locations that are clean and comfortable, and we dine at local restaurants while keeping an eye on our budget. That said, I don’t mind splurging on experiences or stays that feel worth it—especially when they’re still reasonably priced. For example, while there are even cheaper options in Guatemala, I chose to spend a little more for a room with volcano views at Lake Atitlán.
For this trip, we traveled as a couple and split most of the costs. We stayed in a mix of budget to mid-range hotels and hostels (private rooms), ate casual meals, and balanced paid activities with plenty of free things to do.
Guatemala Itinerary Overview: 1 Week in Antigua & Lake Atitlán
Duration: 7 Nights
Destinations: Antigua (3 Nights) , Lake Atitlán (3 Nights), Volano Hike (1 Night)
Travelers: 2 adults
Season: We visited during November
Accommodation: We stayed in a mix of private room hostels and a hotel in Antigua, and in hotels with stunning volcano views around Lake Atitlán.
Transportation: A private transfer for our late arriving flight. Shared shuttles for the other routes, like between Antigua and Lake Atitlán. Around Lake Atitlán, we used the shared boats to hop between villages.
Activities: Our activities included a guided ATV Coffee tour around Antigua and Hiking the Acatenango and Fuego volcano.
Our Day-by-Day Itinerary
We planned our trip around two major factors: adjusting to elevation (coming from low elevation in the US) for the big Acatenango hike, and Guatemala’s flight times. This led to us structuring the trip to include nights in Antigua before and after Lake Atitlán, as getting to the airport directly from the lake isn’t practical or affordable with most flight schedules from the US.
Night 1 – Antigua:
Arrived in Antigua via shared shuttle. Spent the evening settling in and relaxing.
Nights 2–4 – Lake Atitlán:
Took an afternoon shuttle to Lake Atitlán and stayed in Santa Cruz La Laguna.
Explored the villages around the lake.
Night 5 – Antigua:
Returned to Antigua for one night to prepare for the Acatenango hike.
Night 6 – Acatenango Volcano Hike:
Spent the night camping on Acatenango, with stunning views of Fuego erupting.
Night 7 – Antigua:
Returned to Antigua after the hike, before a flight out the next day.
Want to see more? Head over to my Guatemala Travel Inspiration & Photos post for some visual highlights.
Reflections on Our Itinerary
While this itinerary worked well for us with the time we had, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Why We Chose This Structure: Since we needed to adjust to higher elevations for the hike, we planned the Acatenango hike toward the end of our trip. Also, with the limited and often inconvenient flight times from the US, staying in Antigua before and after Lake Atitlán made the most sense. Getting from Lake Atitlán to the airport on the same day as most flights isn’t practical or affordable.
If We Had More Time: We would add an extra night or two at the beginning in Antigua.
Acatenango after Lake Atitlan: We are glad we did the hike after Lake Atitlan. The stairs at Hotel Casa del Mundo and hiking the hills in Santa Cruz would’ve been brutal after hiking Acatenango without many recovery days.
Things to Consider When Planning Your Itinerary
Antigua Before the Hike: You will need to spend a night in Antigua before hiking Acatenango. The hike starts in the morning.
Recovery After the Hike: Stay in Antigua the night after the hike—or if you do want to head to Atitlan make sure there is a shuttle time late enough in the day.
Flight Timing & Transportation: Flights from the US to Guatemala often have awkward arrival and departure times, so it’s difficult to get from Lake Atitlán to the airport on the same day. Factor in an extra night in Antigua to avoid stress.
Consider Elevation: Coming from lower elevation? Plan at least two nights in Antigua or Atitlan before hiking Acatenango. Basically, dont do the hike the day after you get in.
Our Total Guatemala Trip Cost: Full Budget Breakdown
In total, we spent $1,332 (not including flights) for 8 days in Guatemala as a couple — which breaks down to about $83.25 per person, per day.
Here’s a full look at our Guatemala trip cost, broken down by category so you can see exactly where our money went. All of the following costs are in USD and reflect expenses for two adults.
Accommodation: $329.09
Yellow House (Antigua, 1 night): $40
Hotel Arca de Noe (Lake Atitlán, 2 nights): $96.82 ($48.41 x 2)
Casa del Mundo (Lake Atitlán, 1 night): $57.45
Hotel y Arte (Antigua, 1 night): $67
Maya Papaya (Antigua, 1 night): $67.82
Acatenango Base Camp: Included in hike cost
Transportation: $155.5
Private airport transfer (Antigua): $40
Roadrunner shuttle (Antigua to Lake Atitlán): $29.37
Shared boats (Lake Atitlán, 4 trips): $25.80 ($6.45 x 4 trips)
Pana to Antigua shuttle: $29.69
Shuttle (Antigua to airport): $30.69
Food & Drinks: $336.45
Meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners): $244.85
Alcohol (cocktails, wine, beers): $59.60
Snacks (water, coffee, chocolate, miscellaneous): $32
Activities & Tours: $424.34
Santa Clara Church Ruins: $10.33
ATV Coffee Tour (Antigua): $96.82
Acatenango Volcano Hike: $254.86
Fuego Rentals (gear for hike): $41
Tips for activities (coffee tour, etc.): $21.33
a note about Acatenango
We splurged on the volcano hike, choosing to go with Wicho & Charlies, and I was really happy with that decision. While you can do the hike cheaper, this one included bag-carrying services for most of the way up and down, which made a huge difference. We saw groups carrying their heavy packs, and honestly, it looked way more grueling than it already was. The food and accommodation were also great.
Miscellaneous: $86.62
Souvenirs (keychain and hair tie): $7.25
Bathroom fees: $1.94
Mobile data (1GB Airalo, 7 days): $3.43
Travel insurance: $74
Grand Total for 2 Adults: $1332
Notes on Our Spending
Activity Splurges: The Acatenango hike ($254.86) was a highlight of the trip, and the ATV coffee tour ($96.82) was another memorable experience. Both were well worth the cost.
Accommodation Choices: We spent a bit more for comfortable stays with great reviews, views and locations, like Casa del Mundo and Maya Papaya.
Affordable Transportation: Shared shuttles and boats around Lake Atitlán made getting around easy and budget-friendly.
Overall, our spending choices significantly influenced our Guatemala trip cost, allowing us to enjoy memorable experiences within our budget.
How Much Cash to Have in Guatemala
Of the $1332 we spent during our trip, $453.61 (~3500 Quetzals) was paid in cash, and the remaining went on my Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card.
This should give you an idea of how much cash to take out when visiting Guatemala. Most smaller transactions, such as meals, drinks, tips, and local transportation, were paid in cash, as many vendors and businesses don’t accept cards. However, for larger expenses like hotel stays, tours, and shuttle bookings, we were able to use a credit card. Two of our hotels only accepted cash.
Who to Book Your Shuttles and Transfers With in Guatemala
I did a lot of research to find the best prices for transportation in Guatemala, and here’s who I’d recommend for these routes. Booking transfers ahead of time can really help you stay within your Guatemala travel budget by not splurging on transfers last minute.
Private Transfer to/from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
If you’re arriving on a late flight, you will need a private transfer. I recommend Escobar Shuttles and Tours. They were reliable, and the prices were competitive.
Shared Shuttle to/from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua
For this shared shuttle, we also went with Escobar. They offered great service and affordable rates for the journey.
Shared Shuttle to/from Lake Atitlán (Pana) to Antigua
We used Roadrunner Guatemala for this route and were very happy with their service. It was by far the cheapest option and still very reliable. Another popular company is Guatego, which is a bit more expensive.
Budget Travel Tips for Guatemala
Currency: Guatemala uses the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). While some places accept credit cards, many smaller businesses, local markets, and transportation services are cash-only, so it’s important to have cash on hand.
Use ATMs Wisely: ATMs are widely available in major cities like Antigua and Panajachel, but they can be unreliable or unavailable in smaller villages. Plan ahead and withdraw enough cash before heading to more remote areas.
Decline Currency Conversion: When withdrawing from ATMs, you might be prompted to accept a currency conversion rate. Always decline this option, as your bank will provide a better exchange rate. Don’t worry—your transaction will still go through when you decline.
Budget for Transportation: Public transportation, like chicken buses, is the cheapest option, but shared shuttles offer a good balance of comfort and ease of use for the average traveler. Plan for shuttles when traveling between major destinations like Antigua and Lake Atitlán.
FAQs: Guatemala Trip Cost and Budget Travel
How much does it cost to travel to Guatemala?
Costs vary depending on your travel style, but a mid-range budget for a week in Guatemala, including flights, accommodation, food, and activities, can range from $1,000 to $1,500 per person. It can also definitely be done for less than this with a more strict budget.
Is Guatemala a budget friendly destination?
Yes! Guatemala is one of the more affordable countries in Central America. I found the accommodation and food specifically to be great value for what you get.
How much cash should I bring to Guatemala?
Use a reliable ATM once you arrive to take out Quetzales. Cash is still widely used across Guatemala, and many places don’t accept cards. During our one-week trip, we spent 3500 Quetzales in cash (about $454)—about a third of our total trip cost.
What are some must-visit places in Guatemala?
Antigua and Lake Atitlán are two of the most popular destinations. Antigua offers colonial charm and rich history, while Lake Atitlán is known for its stunning scenery and villages. If you have more time, consider adding Tikal to your visit. The Acatenango hike is also 1000% worth it.
Final Thoughts on Our Guatemala Trip Budget
Guatemala is a country I think about a lot. The value it offers for travel is hard to beat. I think often about the amazing places we were able to stay for under $60 per night. The food and accommodations were amazing, and doing the Acatenango and Fuego hikes were one of the highlights of my life.
If you’re trying to get a better idea of how much a trip to Guatemala costs, I hope this post gave you a clearer picture.
You can also check out my Guatemala Travel Inspiration & Photos post for even more reasons to visit Antigua and Lake Atitlán. I can’t wait to go back someday!
If I missed anything or you have questions, drop a comment below! I’m happy to help.