Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Mexico and Guatemala, 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 Mexico and Guatemala, 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.
19 of the 29 items cost less in Guatemala.
Bottled, convenience store
Mexico: ≈ $0.95 – $1.50 MX$16 – MX$25 Guatemala: ≈ $0.52 – $1 Q 4 – Q 8 Cafe or street vendor
Mexico: ≈ $2.40 – $5 MX$40 – MX$85 Guatemala: ≈ $1 – $2.60 Q 8 – Q 20 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Mexico: ≈ $2.40 – $4.70 MX$40 – MX$80 Guatemala: ≈ $2 – $3.90 Q 15 – Q 30 Tourist area, main course
Mexico: ≈ $15 – $27 MX$250 – MX$450 Guatemala: ≈ $7 – $20 Q 50 – Q 150 Local market or stand
Mexico: ≈ $3.50 – $7.10 MX$60 – MX$120 Guatemala: ≈ $1.30 – $4.60 Q 10 – Q 35 Mixed drink, bar
Mexico: ≈ $8 – $15 MX$140 – MX$250 Guatemala: ≈ $5 – $10 Q 40 – Q 80 House wine, restaurant
Mexico: ≈ $11 – $21 MX$180 – MX$350 Guatemala: ≈ $13 – $21 Q 100 – Q 160 Cafe or street stall
Mexico: ≈ $2.40 – $4.10 MX$40 – MX$70 Guatemala: ≈ $1.30 – $3.30 Q 10 – Q 25 Standard route
Mexico: ≈ $15 – $27 MX$260 – MX$450 Guatemala: ≈ $9 – $17 Q 70 – Q 130 Metered or typical fare
Mexico: ≈ $0.59 – $1.50 MX$10 – MX$25 Guatemala: ≈ $1 – $1.70 Q 8 – Q 13 Single ride
Mexico: ≈ $0.30 – $0.35 MX$5 – MX$6 Guatemala: ≈ $0.13 Q 1 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Mexico: ≈ $3.50 – $12 MX$60 – MX$200 Guatemala: ≈ $8 – $59 Q 60 – Q 450 Tourist shop
Mexico: ≈ $1.20 – $3.50 MX$20 – MX$60 Guatemala: ≈ $1 – $3.30 Q 8 – Q 25 Tourist shop
Mexico: ≈ $4.70 – $8.90 MX$80 – MX$150 Guatemala: ≈ $5 – $13 Q 40 – Q 100 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Mexico: ≈ $6 – $18 MX$100 – MX$300 Guatemala: ≈ $7 – $33 Q 50 – Q 250 Data package
Mexico: ≈ $6 – $18 MX$100 – MX$300 Guatemala: ≈ $7 – $20 Q 50 – Q 150 Pharmacy or shop
Mexico: ≈ $9 – $24 MX$150 – MX$400 Guatemala: ≈ $5 – $13 Q 40 – Q 100 Supermarket
Mexico: ≈ $0.71 – $1.30 MX$12 – MX$22 Guatemala: ≈ $0.52 – $1.20 Q 4 – Q 9 Pack of 20
Mexico: ≈ $4.40 – $5.30 MX$75 – MX$90 Guatemala: ≈ $3.30 – $4.60 Q 25 – Q 35 Pack of 20 tablets
Mexico: ≈ $1.20 – $3 MX$20 – MX$50 Guatemala: ≈ $2 – $2.60 Q 15 – Q 20 Spray or lotion
Mexico: ≈ $5 – $7.70 MX$85 – MX$130 Guatemala: ≈ $4 – $11 Q 30 – Q 85 Local barbershop
Mexico: ≈ $6 – $21 MX$100 – MX$350 Guatemala: ≈ $2.60 – $13 Q 20 – Q 100 Laundry service
Mexico: ≈ $1.80 – $4.70 MX$30 – MX$80 Guatemala: ≈ $5 – $11 Q 40 – Q 85 Standard full-body massage
Mexico: ≈ $47 – $95 MX$800 – MX$1,600 Guatemala: ≈ $20 – $46 Q 150 – Q 350 Basic cut, salon
Mexico: ≈ $12 – $30 MX$200 – MX$500 Guatemala: ≈ $20 – $33 Q 150 – Q 250 Entrance ticket
Mexico: ≈ $6 – $15 MX$100 – MX$250 Guatemala: ≈ $2.60 – $7.90 Q 20 – Q 60 Organized excursion
Mexico: ≈ $35 – $71 MX$600 – MX$1,200 Guatemala: ≈ $24 – $39 Q 180 – Q 300 Organized excursion 6-8h
Mexico: ≈ $71 – $100 MX$1,200 – MX$1,700 Guatemala: ≈ $26 – $62 Q 195 – Q 470 Local cuisine cooking class
Mexico: ≈ $47 – $100 MX$800 – MX$1,700 Guatemala: ≈ $33 – $46 Q 250 – Q 350 Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair price in Mexico, against 2.5× in Guatemala.
Mexico 27th highest of 60
Guatemala 18th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Mexico Tip 10–15% ("propina") in Mexican restaurants, service is rarely included. In tourist areas like Cancún and Mexico City, 15% is standard for good service. Also tip hotel staff, taxi drivers (round up), and tour guides (50–100 MXN per person).
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.
Yes. In Guatemala you pay about 16% less than in Mexico at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Mexico 117, Guatemala 98 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 19 of the 29 items cost less in Guatemala.
A week is cheaper in Guatemala: about $165 at fair prices, against $250 in Mexico. 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 $570 in Mexico and $425 in Guatemala.
In Guatemala: food and drinks cost about 31% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $15 – $27 in Mexico and $7 – $20 in Guatemala, street food $3.50 – $7.10 and $1.30 – $4.60.
In Mexico: tourist prices there are about 2.8× the fair price on average, against 2.5× in Guatemala. The biggest gaps in Mexico: fridge magnet (15.0×), city taxi 1 km (6.0×), and local handcraft (5.0×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Mexico vs Guatemala, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/mexico-vs-guatemala/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
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