As of November 12, 2026, Guatemala is cheaper than Peru for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $72 in Guatemala against $83 in Peru, a gap of 14.1%. Over the past year Peru has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+1.7% after inflation, against +0.9%). Peru carries the lower US advisory (Level 2 against Level 3). Peru is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Guatemala | Peru |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $72 | $83 |
| Lean day | $33 | $35 |
| Comfortable day | $166 | $198 |
| Real change, 12 months | +0.9% | +1.7% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +0.2% | +1.7% |
| Versus 5-year average | 0.0% | −8.7% |
| US advisory | Level 3 · Reconsider travel | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 3.2 · Workable | 3.9 · Well set up |
| Index score | 55 | 60 |
| 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.
Machu Picchu is the pricey part. Everything else is a bargain with a world-class kitchen.
The catchAltitude needs days, not hours. Political protests periodically close roads and rail in the south.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.