LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Money & costs
Prices in Guatemala are among the best in Central America. Beds in hospedajes (budget hotels) normally cost US$3 to US$4 per person. Markets sell fruits and snacks for pennies, cheap eateries called comedores offer one- or two-course meals for US$2 to US$3, and bus trips cost less than US$1 per hour. It's completely realistic to spend less than US$15 a day in Guatemala without too much hardship. If you want more comfort, you can readily move up to nice rooms with private hot-water bathrooms and eat well-prepared food in pleasant surroundings and still pay only US$30 per person for a room and two - or even three - meals. Add in transport, admission fees, a bit of shopping and a few beers and you're looking at a total budget around US$50 a day for fairly comfortable mid-range traveling.
Unfortunately, there are few bargains here for solo travelers, as there often isn't much price difference between a single and a double room. If it's practical, hook up with some other folks to defray room costs. Many places have rooms for three or four people where the per-person price is much less than for one or two. In restaurants, you can save money by opting for set two- or three-course meals, often called the menu del dia, costing no more than one single a la carte main dish. On the road, public buses are far cheaper than the more comfortable shuttle minibuses put on for tourists.
HOW MUCH?
Three-hour 2nd-class bus ride US$2
A week of Spanish classes with homestay: US$90-200
Admission to Tikal US$6.50
Taxi from Guatemala City airport to city center US$8
Comfortable lakeside double with bathroom, Lago de Atitlan US$25-35
Liter of gas (petrol) US$0.55
Liter of bottled water US$0.60
Bottle of Gallo US$1.50
Souvenir T-shirt US$6
Chuchito (Corn dough filled with a spicy meat and served in a corn husk) US$0.50
Lonely Planet recommends World Nomads Travel insurance
