For meals, transport, tips - whats the safe amount to carry in Guatemala ? Trying to plan a daily budget for a month long trip
I spent nearly a month in Guatemala and rarely felt stretched. Street eats in Antigua were $1-2, full meals in small comedores $4-5, and nicer restaurants $12-15. Buses between towns were dirt cheap, under $3, though I sometimes booked a shuttle van for $12 when carrying gear. Tipping is expected at 10% in sit-down places. I averaged $35 per day including tips and transport, but I had to increase it when I booked the overnight Acatenango hike (worth every penny). Normal days are incredibly cheap compared to the adventure days.
Guatemala is affordable overall. For meals: $2-5 for local food, $8-12 in restaurants. Transport: $2 on chicken buses, $10-15 on tourist shuttles. Tips: 10% in restaurants, small coins for porters or guides. Realistically, $30-40 per day is plenty for food, local travel, and tips. But if you plan to do volcano hikes, lake trips, or guided tours, you’ll need to budget extra on those specific days. Still, compared to other Latin American countries, you get more value for your money here.
I budgeted about $40-50 daily and had a great time. Restaurants in Antigua were around $7-12 for mains, and street food was much cheaper. Chicken buses are dirt cheap but I often used tourist shuttles between Antigua and Panajachel, which were $10-15 per ride. Tips at sit-down restaurants are usually 10%. If you plan to hike Pacaya or Acatenango, set aside $30-50 for the tour, so keep some flexibility in your budget. Normal daily spend without tours feels safe at $45. Guatemala is cheap but adventures add up.
Guatemala is a dream for budget travellers. Street food like pupusas and tostadas go for $1 each, and you can get a full meal for $3-Chicken buses between towns cost just a couple of dollars, though they can be chaotic. For tips, locals don’t expect much, but $0.50-1 for service is nice. Hostels often include breakfast, so $20-25 daily covers meals, buses, and small tips easily. Add a bit more if you want coffee in Antigua or occasional restaurant splurges. Lake Atitlán boat rides cost $1-2 only.