As of November 12, 2026, Guatemala is cheaper than Paraguay for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $72 in Guatemala against $81 in Paraguay, a gap of 11.6%. Over the past year Guatemala has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+0.9% after inflation, against −11.5%). Paraguay carries the lower US advisory (Level 1 against Level 3). Guatemala is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Guatemala | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $72 | $81 |
| Lean day | $33 | $40 |
| Comfortable day | $166 | $175 |
| Real change, 12 months | +0.9% | −11.5% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +0.2% | −11.7% |
| Versus 5-year average | 0.0% | −15.9% |
| US advisory | Level 3 · Reconsider travel | Level 1 · Normal precautions |
| Ease of travel | 3.2 · Workable | 2.8 · Rough edges |
| Index score | 55 | 54 |
| Best months | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep |
| Shoulder months | May, Oct | Apr, Oct |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Volcanoes, a highland lake and Maya ruins on a backpacker budget.
The catchViolent crime is the reason for the elevated advisory. Use tourist shuttles, not chicken buses, and do not travel after dark.
South America's least-visited country: cheap, friendly and without a tourist trail.
The catchVery little tourism infrastructure and few headline sights. A stop for the curious, not a first trip.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.