Daily costs per person in GTQ (Q). Tikal and the Petén region are affordable by Central American standards — comedores, shared transport, and hostel dorms keep budgets low.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: GTQ (Quetzal) (1 USD ≈ Q7.8)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Q60–120 | Q200–500 | Q800+ | Dorm → private room → jungle lodge |
| Food | Q50–100 | Q120–250 | Q400+ | Comedores → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | Q30–80 | Q100–200 | Q400+ | Collectivo → shared shuttle → private driver |
| Activities | Q150–250 | Q300–500 | Q800+ | Self-guided park entry → guided tours → private guides |
| Drinks | Q15–50 | Q60–120 | Q200+ | Gallo beer → cocktails → craft drinks |
| Daily Total | Q305–600 | Q780–1,570 | Q2,600+ | $25–45 → $65–130 → $215+ |
Money-saving tips
Book sunrise tours through hostels
Hostels in Flores sell sunrise tour packages for Q250–350 including transport, guide, and park entry. This is cheaper than arranging each element separately and guarantees a 3am pickup.
Eat at comedores
Comedores (local eateries) serve set lunches of meat, rice, beans, tortillas, and a drink for Q25–30. Street tostadas and tacos cost Q5–10 each. Avoid the tourist restaurants near the causeway for significant savings.
Share transport costs
Collectivos and shared shuttles between Flores, Tikal, and Yaxhá are much cheaper than private transfers. Meet fellow travelers at your hostel and split a minivan — Q200–300 divided 4 ways is very affordable.
Stay in Flores, not Tikal
There are a few expensive lodges inside Tikal National Park, but staying in Flores (hostels from Q60/night for a dorm) and taking the 1-hour shuttle each way saves substantial money.
Bring your own food into parks
The comedores inside Tikal and Yaxhá charge inflated prices. Pack water, fruit, and sandwiches from Flores to save Q50–80 per day on food inside the parks.
Use the CA-4 visa
Guatemala shares a 90-day visa with Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua under the CA-4 agreement. One entry covers all four countries — no extra visa fees when crossing borders.
