Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Guatemala and Costa Rica, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Guatemala and Costa Rica, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
24 of the 29 items cost less in Guatemala.
Bottled, convenience store
Guatemala: ≈ $0.52 – $1 Q 4 – Q 8 Costa Rica: ≈ $0.77 – $1.50 ₡350 – ₡700 Cafe or street vendor
Guatemala: ≈ $1 – $2.60 Q 8 – Q 20 Costa Rica: ≈ $2.20 – $5.50 ₡1,000 – ₡2,500 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Guatemala: ≈ $2 – $3.90 Q 15 – Q 30 Costa Rica: ≈ $3.10 – $6.60 ₡1,400 – ₡3,000 Tourist area, main course
Guatemala: ≈ $7 – $20 Q 50 – Q 150 Costa Rica: ≈ $13 – $33 ₡6,000 – ₡15,000 Local market or stand
Guatemala: ≈ $1.30 – $4.60 Q 10 – Q 35 Costa Rica: ≈ $3.30 – $6.60 ₡1,500 – ₡3,000 Mixed drink, bar
Guatemala: ≈ $5 – $10 Q 40 – Q 80 Costa Rica: ≈ $10 – $15 ₡4,500 – ₡7,000 House wine, restaurant
Guatemala: ≈ $13 – $21 Q 100 – Q 160 Costa Rica: ≈ $26 – $44 ₡12,000 – ₡20,000 Cafe or street stall
Guatemala: ≈ $1.30 – $3.30 Q 10 – Q 25 Costa Rica: ≈ $0.82 – $2.50 ₡375 – ₡1,125 Standard route
Guatemala: ≈ $9 – $17 Q 70 – Q 130 Costa Rica: ≈ $39 – $61 ₡18,000 – ₡28,000 Metered or typical fare
Guatemala: ≈ $1 – $1.70 Q 8 – Q 13 Costa Rica: ≈ $1.50 – $2.20 ₡700 – ₡1,000 Single ride
Guatemala: ≈ $0.13 Q 1 Costa Rica: ≈ $0.33 – $1.10 ₡150 – ₡500 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Guatemala: ≈ $8 – $59 Q 60 – Q 450 Costa Rica: ≈ $11 – $28 ₡5,000 – ₡13,000 Tourist shop
Guatemala: ≈ $1 – $3.30 Q 8 – Q 25 Costa Rica: ≈ $3.30 – $8.80 ₡1,500 – ₡4,000 Tourist shop
Guatemala: ≈ $5 – $13 Q 40 – Q 100 Costa Rica: ≈ $13 – $33 ₡6,000 – ₡15,000 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Guatemala: ≈ $7 – $33 Q 50 – Q 250 Costa Rica: ≈ $33 – $155 ₡15,000 – ₡70,000 Data package
Guatemala: ≈ $7 – $20 Q 50 – Q 150 Costa Rica: ≈ $2 – $33 ₡1,000 – ₡15,000 Pharmacy or shop
Guatemala: ≈ $5 – $13 Q 40 – Q 100 Costa Rica: ≈ $15 – $37 ₡7,000 – ₡17,000 Supermarket
Guatemala: ≈ $0.52 – $1.20 Q 4 – Q 9 Costa Rica: ≈ $0.99 – $2.60 ₡450 – ₡1,200 Pack of 20
Guatemala: ≈ $3.30 – $4.60 Q 25 – Q 35 Costa Rica: ≈ $4.40 – $6.60 ₡2,000 – ₡3,000 Pack of 20 tablets
Guatemala: ≈ $2 – $2.60 Q 15 – Q 20 Costa Rica: ≈ $1.80 – $3.30 ₡800 – ₡1,500 Spray or lotion
Guatemala: ≈ $4 – $11 Q 30 – Q 85 Costa Rica: ≈ $5.50 – $9.90 ₡2,500 – ₡4,500 Local barbershop
Guatemala: ≈ $2.60 – $13 Q 20 – Q 100 Costa Rica: ≈ $9 – $22 ₡4,000 – ₡10,000 Laundry service
Guatemala: ≈ $5 – $11 Q 40 – Q 85 Costa Rica: ≈ $2.20 – $6.60 ₡1,000 – ₡3,000 Standard full-body massage
Guatemala: ≈ $20 – $46 Q 150 – Q 350 Costa Rica: ≈ $44 – $88 ₡20,000 – ₡40,000 Basic cut, salon
Guatemala: ≈ $20 – $33 Q 150 – Q 250 Costa Rica: ≈ $18 – $33 ₡8,000 – ₡15,000 Entrance ticket
Guatemala: ≈ $2.60 – $7.90 Q 20 – Q 60 Costa Rica: ≈ $9 – $22 ₡4,000 – ₡10,000 Organized excursion
Guatemala: ≈ $24 – $39 Q 180 – Q 300 Costa Rica: ≈ $50 – $175 ₡23,000 – ₡81,000 Organized excursion 6-8h
Guatemala: ≈ $26 – $62 Q 195 – Q 470 Costa Rica: ≈ $50 – $150 ₡23,000 – ₡68,000 Local cuisine cooking class
Guatemala: ≈ $33 – $46 Q 250 – Q 350 Costa Rica: ≈ $49 – $79 ₡22,500 – ₡36,000 Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair price in Costa Rica, against 2.5× in Guatemala.
Guatemala 18th lowest of 60
Costa Rica 23rd highest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Guatemala Tip around 10% in Guatemalan restaurants, service charges are rarely included. In tourist hubs like Antigua and Lake Atitlán, tipping is more expected; at local "comedores" (budget eateries), rounding up the bill is a thoughtful gesture.
Costa Rica Costa Rica adds a mandatory 10% service charge to all restaurant bills by law, plus 13% sales tax, so your total adds up quickly. An additional cash tip is not expected but is warmly welcomed for exceptional service.
No. In Guatemala you pay about 44% less than in Costa Rica at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Guatemala 98, Costa Rica 175 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 24 of the 29 items cost less in Guatemala.
A week is cheaper in Guatemala: about $165 at fair prices, against $290 in Costa Rica. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $425 in Guatemala and $1,030 in Costa Rica.
In Guatemala: food and drinks cost about 36% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $7 – $20 in Guatemala and $13 – $33 in Costa Rica, street food $1.30 – $4.60 and $3.30 – $6.60.
In Costa Rica: tourist prices there are about 2.8× the fair price on average, against 2.5× in Guatemala. The biggest gaps in Costa Rica: local handcraft (5.6×), fridge magnet (5.1×), and men's haircut (5.0×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Guatemala vs Costa Rica, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/guatemala-vs-costa-rica/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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