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Guatemala on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Guatemala is excellent on a budget: about Q380 per person per day covers a hostel bed, local food, sights and shuttles (bed Q120, food Q120, sights Q60, transport Q80). Lake Atitlán and markets are especially cheap.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Q120 | Q400 | Q1,100 |
| Food & drink | Q120 | Q250 | Q500 |
| Sights & tickets | Q60 | Q150 | Q350 |
| Local transport | Q80 | Q250 | Q600 |
| Per person, per day | Q380 | Q1,050 | Q2,550 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Guatemala day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk the cobbled streets and Parque Central of Antigua
- See the Arco de Santa Catalina and volcano views
- Explore the market in Chichicastenango (Thursdays and Sundays)
- Watch the sunset over Lake Atitlán from Panajachel's shore
- Walk the street art and murals of San Juan La Laguna
- Stroll the island streets of Flores and swim from the lakeside docks
Cheap eats
- Pupusas or tostadas at a street stall: about Q5–15
- Menú del día at a comedor: about Q30–50
- Pepián or jocón in a local restaurant: about Q40–90
- Grilled lake fish in Panajachel: about Q70–100
- Fresh fruit and licuados at markets: about Q10–20
Where to sleep for less
Hostels in Antigua and San Pedro La Laguna offer dorms and simple doubles for about Q120–300; Flores has cheap guesthouses near the Tikal shuttles.
Getting around cheaply
Tourist shuttles (Q100–150 per leg) are the safest budget option. Chicken buses are cheaper but slower and less safe. Lanchas cost about Q25–30 between lake villages. Tikal shuttles from Flores cost about Q100 return.
A sample budget day
- Morning: walk Antigua's ruins and Parque Central (Las Capuchinas about Q40)
- Lunch: menú del día at a comedor (about Q40)
- Afternoon: Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint (free; ask locally about safety) and the market
- Evening: street food and a beer (about Q50)
- Total: about Q130 plus a hostel bed, roughly Q250–380
More ways to save
- Carry small notes; change is often short.
- Book a dorm with free breakfast.
- Bargain gently in markets, but not for food.
- Travel in the green season (May–October) for lower rates.
- Combine Pacaya with a shuttle-included tour rather than a private trip.
- Pay Tikal entry in quetzales and bring cash.
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Common questions
Can I travel Guatemala on a budget?
Yes, at around Q380 a day with hostels, shuttles and local food.
Is the chicken bus a good idea?
It is cheap and colourful, but slower and less safe; shuttles are better for long trips with luggage.
Where is cheapest to stay?
San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlán and hostels in Antigua and Flores.