How much does it cost to travel to Antigua Guatemala?
You should plan to spend around $63 (Q487) per day on your vacation in Antigua Guatemala. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $14 (Q110) on meals
- $12 (Q96) on local transportation
- $43 (Q335) on hotels
A one week trip to Antigua Guatemala for two people costs, on average, $878 (Q6,821). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Antigua Guatemala has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Antigua Guatemala expensive to visit?
Antigua Guatemala is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Guatemala, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Central America, Antigua Guatemala is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Central America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Flores, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Puerto Viejo.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Antigua Guatemala?
The average Antigua Guatemala trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Antigua Guatemala travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
Q335
($43)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
Q96
($12)
|
|
Food 2
|
Q110
($14)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
Q118
($15)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
Q2 -
7
($0 - 1)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
Q44 -
132
($6 - 17)
|
Accommodation Budget in Antigua Guatemala
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Antigua Guatemala is $22 (Q167). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Antigua Guatemala is $43 (Q335). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Antigua Guatemala
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Antigua Guatemala is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $12 (Q96) per person, per day, on local transportation in Antigua Guatemala.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$12
Q96
How much does it cost to go to Antigua Guatemala? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Antigua Guatemala will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Antigua Guatemala
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Antigua Guatemala can vary, the average cost of food in Antigua Guatemala is $14 (Q110) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Antigua Guatemala should cost around $5.67 (Q44) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Antigua Guatemala is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$14
Q110
Typical prices for Food in Antigua Guatemala are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Antigua Guatemala, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Entertainment Budget in Antigua Guatemala
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Antigua Guatemala typically cost an average of $15 (Q118) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$15
Q118
Tips and Handouts Budget in Antigua Guatemala
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Antigua Guatemala
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Antigua Guatemala is $7.48 (Q58), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$7.48
Q58
Alcohol Budget in Antigua Guatemala
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $11 (Q88) on alcoholic beverages in Antigua Guatemala per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$11
Q88
Water Budget in Antigua Guatemala
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.66 (Q13) on bottled water in Antigua Guatemala per day. The public water in Antigua Guatemala is not usually considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.66
Q13
Antigua Guatemala On a Budget
Old Town Antigua Guatemala
Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.
Sights
Amongst the world's best conserved colonial cities, Antigua is a destination renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings and monuments. Still intact are buildings like the city hall and the Captain General Palace which now houses the offices of Guatemala Institute of Tourisms, the city National Police headquarters, and the Sacatepequez Governor office, among others. Catholic buildings are also very prominent with structures like the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Catedral de San Jose which was originally constructed in the mid-1500s, though it has since been rebuilt due to earthquakes. Others include the Church and Convent of Capuchins, San Francisco Church, Le Merced Church, Santo Domingo Monastery, and Nuestra Senora del Carmen Church. The Santa Catalina Arch built in the 17th century is another unforgettable landmark, located on 5th Avenue North. With all of this history, it's a must-visit destination on any
Guatemala itinerary of 10-days or 2-weeks, as it offers so much to explore.
If you set your sights beyond the city, three large volcanoes loom on the horizon. To the south of the city, Volcan de Agua, or Volcano of Water stands as the most impressive of the three. The other two sit to the west of the city - Acatenango which last erupted in 1972 and Volcan de Fuego or Volcano of Fire.
Neighborhoods
The Parque Central marks the city center, taking up an entire city block of circular walkways amongst trees decked with lights and a central fountain in its midst. On four sides the park is surrounded by the city hall and police office, a cathedral, several banks, and tourist businesses, and from here the cobbled streets branch out into a grid pattern. Since the city was founded by the Spanish in the 17th Century its layout follows the traditional design of a main plaza (Parque Central) surrounded by government and Catholic Church buildings. Beyond this, Antigua is full of historic buildings, monuments, museums, lovely fountains, and fascinating ruins.
Activities
Beyond exploring the city and its sights at your own leisure, you can also arrange a tour with any local agency for a more guided experience. Another activity is to walk up to the Hill of the Cross (El Cerro de la Cruz) for excellent views of Antigua from above. There is a market located a few blocks west of the city center, as well as artisan workshops which specialize in crafts from Jade, metal works, and textiles, amongst others. The ChocoMuseo is another unique place to visit, where you can learn how to make chocolate from cocoa beans in addition to the history of chocolate, cocoa plantations, and the industry of chocolate making.
If its outdoor adventure you seek, look towards the volcanoes.
Acatenango is a strenuous hike which can be done in one day or overnight. If you camp overnight, you can watch explosions from the active Volcan de Fuego from the campsite. Guided tours are available for the journey, camping gear included. You can also go without a guide, but be sure to do your research on the trails ahead of time.
The Pacaya Volcano is another popular hike, though it is closer to Guatemala City than Antigua.
Food and Dining
Being the most touristed place in Guatemala,
Anitgua has plenty of restaurants and cafes for all tastes and budgets, including international fare and internationally-recognized fast food chains. If you seek some authentic flavors of the culture, Guatemalan cuisine prominently features corn, chilies, and beans as key ingredients as well as dishes with rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, and tortillas. Tamales are a common local favorite. They come in a variety of ways, but basically consist of a dish made of masa (or maize), which is steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf and usually filled with meat, fruits, and/or nuts. Other main dishes include a seafood soup with plantain slices called tapado, a variety of stews made with meat, vegetables, and spices, as well as a kind of stuffed pepper dish called chiles rellenos. Desserts typically consist of banana bread, a Spanish rice pudding called arrroz con leche, and chick peas in syrup, amongst many others. Be careful of what you eat in the city to avoid food poisoning, some places are not always up to code in cleanliness-watch out for salads and fresh vegetables, undercooked meat, and tap water.
Transportation
The nearest major airport to Antigua is La Aurora Airport in
Guatemala City. The airport is only 45 km east of Antigua and can be easily reached by Camionetas or "chicken buses," local city bus, taxi, and tuk tuk (auto rickshaw). Be aware that the chicken buses are poorly maintained recycled school buses with drivers who do not always adhere to speed limits, and sometime carry suspicious passengers. For the safest way of travel, make arrangements with a cab or shuttle company ahead of time.
Bus services catering to tourists also run to other cities around the country and region.
Once in Antigua, the city is fairly navigable on foot.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.