Budget to travel in Guatemala: From backpacking to luxury

Live in Guatemala has allowed me to see this country from two angles: that of the local who knows where to find the best ‘shuco’ for 15 quetzales and guide-improvised for friends who come from Europe or the united States looking for the most unique experiences in the Lake Atitlán.

If you’re planning your trip for this year 2025, let me tell you something honest: Guatemala, as it is not the destination ‘cheap’ that was a decade ago, but still offering a quality-price ratio that few countries in Latin America can match. Here you desgloso how much you really need, based on what I see and spending day-to-day, and in the research that I did to update these numbers.

The currency and change (December 2025)

In Guatemala we use the Quetzal (GTQ). To give you a quick idea to read this article:

• 1 USD Q 7.80 (December 2025)
• 1 EUR Q 8.15 (December 2025)

Tip from a local: do Not change money at the airport; the rate is a assault. Use cash machines (ATMs) of banks as BI or BAC. Prevents the teller yellow ‘5B’ if you can, because their commissions retreat for foreign cards are higher.

1. Budget Backpacker: ‘Living the Experience’

• Daily expenditure estimate: $35 – $50 USD (€32 – €46)

If you come with the backpack, Guatemala is your paradise. You can sleep in hostels amazing in Antigua or San Pedro La Laguna for a fraction of what you’d pay in Europe.

• Accommodation: A bed in a shared room costs between Q 80 and Q 130 ($10-$17).
• Food: look for the ‘dining rooms’. A typical breakfast (eggs, beans, bananas and coffee) you out in Q 25 – Q 35 ($4). street food (tacos or tostadas) is secure if you see that there is a lot of local people by row.
• Transportation: Here is where you save. The ‘Chicken Bus’ (bus school of EE. UU. transformed) costs about Q 10 – Q 30 ($1.50-$4) for journeys of 2 to 3 hours. It is noisy, colorful, and an experience that you must live at least once.

2. Budget Comfort (Flashpacker): ‘The best of two worlds’

• Daily expenditure estimate: $80 – $130 USD (€74 – €120)

This is the range where most of the travelers from EE. UU. and Europe will feel comfortable. You have privacy, good Wifi and safe transportation.

• Accommodation: A small boutique hotel, or an Airbnb with charm in Antique costs between Q 450 and Q 800 ($60-$100) per night.
• Food: Dinner in a restaurant cute in the 5th Avenue of Ancient or in front of the lake will cost you a few Q 150 – Q 250 ($20-$32) per person, including a glass of wine or a craft beer, local.
• Transport: Forget the chicken buses. You will use Shuttles shared. A journey from Antigua to Panajachel costs about Q 150 ($20). Are vans with air conditioning and door-to-door.

3. Budget Luxury: ‘Exclusivity between Volcanoes’

• Daily expenditure estimate: $300 USD (€275) and up

Guatemala has hidden gems that compete with any luxury destination world. I have visited villages in the lake that are only accessible by private boat and hotels which are museums.

• Accommodation: Places like Casa Santo Domingo in Antigua or private villas in Santa Catarina Palopo can cost from $350 to $900 for the night.
• Experiences Top: A helicopter tour from the capital towards the ruins of El Mirador (where it is the largest pyramid in the world by volume) can cost about $500 – $700 per person, but you save a 5-day hike in the forest.
• Food: Restaurants of ‘Author’ in Guatemala City (Zone 10 or 14) where a tasting menu with wine pairing is around $100 – $150.

Comparative table of Costs (Price 2025)

My 3 tips from ‘insiders’ to take care of your pocket

1. Tikal is expensive but worth every penny: The entry for foreigners costs Q 150 ($20). If you want to see the sunrise, are other Q 100 ($13) plus the guide is mandatory. Don’t try to save money here, pay for the tour of attorney; lost in the jungle is not fun.
2. Private transportation (Uber) works great: In Guatemala City and Antigua, Uber is very cheap and safe. A 20-minute drive will cost about $4 or $5.
3. High season: If you are coming in Holy Week or Christmas, you double your budget accommodation. Prices go up and everything is filled with months before.

Guatemala you are going to catch not by how much you spend, but what are you going to feel when you see the Fuego volcano erupting while you take a coffee high. If you have a tight budget, do not worry, the country is generous with those who know how to search.