Which place is cheaper, Arica or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Arica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Arica, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Antigua Guatemala or Arica?
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.
Arica
A mixture of coastline, desert and high Andean plateau, Arica is a seaside resort town, known for its surfing beaches located at the tip of Northern Chile. Arica boasts that it is "the land of the eternal spring," but its temperate climate and beaches are not the only reason to visit this small city. Arica's tourism is still principally geared toward domestic visitors and those from southern Peru and La Paz, who flock to its beaches mid-December through February. It is very easy to spend a few days in Arica in the sand, or seeing the sights in town, at a slow pace but the city also offers plenty of fun activities and exciting day trips.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesArica Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Arica $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Arica is $100. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Antigua Guatemala and Arica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Arica $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Arica $70
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Arica
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Arica? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices and Arica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $12Arica $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $27
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $185
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $65
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel Atitlan: $66
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arica
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arica are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$2.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arica
Also for Arica, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arica Airport Private Transfer: $95
- Private Transfer from Arica Airport (ARI) to Arica Cruise Port: $83
- Private Transfer from Arica Cruise Port to Arica Airport (ARI): $83
- Private Transfer from Arica Cruise Port to Arica Airport (ARI): $75
- Private Transfer from Arica Airport (ARI) to Arica Cruise Port : $75
- Private Transfer from Arica Cruise Port to Arica Hotels: $69
- Private Transfer from Arica Hotels to Arica Cruise Port: $69
- Private Transfer from Arica City hotels to Arica Cruise Port: $63
- Private Transfer from Arica Cruise Port to Arica city hotels: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Arica?
Prices for flights to both Arica and Antigua Guatemala change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAntigua Guatemala $25Arica $49
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.26
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Lunch$7.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of Guatemala,Walking Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala : $50
- Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $80
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Private Pacaya Volcano Hike & Optional Pizza Experience: $85
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Foodie & Street Food Tour in Antigua: $95
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
- The Culinary Antigua Food Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Arica $20
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- ¡Pacaya Volcano Tour from Antigua!: $100
- 2 - Days : Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $130
- 2 Day Tour: Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan from Antigua: $150
- 2-Day Antigua Tour 1 Night at Acatenango Volcano: $87
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $78
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
- ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Antigua Villages Experience: $95
- ATV Tour of the Magic Towns of Antigua: $65
- ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $75
- Acatenango 2 Days Camping Adventure: $128
- Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $129
Tours and Activities in Arica
For Arica, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Archeological Sightseeing tour in Arica: $152
- Arica Private Sightseeing Tour : $148
- City Tour with Chinchorro Beach Visit: $82
- Half day Panoramic City Tour: $49
- Chungará Lake & Lauca Park Tour from Arica with Lunch: $197
- Private Tour to Tacna from Arica: $285
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $11Arica $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
- Antigua Bar Crawl: $26
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Arica, we can see that Arica is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antigua Guatemala is in Central America and Arica is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Antigua Guatemala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antigua Guatemala and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Arica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arica than you might in Antigua Guatemala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive? and Is Arica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Arica?
Arica has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Arica, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.