A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antigua Guatemala vs. Boquete for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Boquete?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Boquete, 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 Boquete?

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.

Boquete

Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.


Which place is cheaper, Boquete or Antigua Guatemala?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $63, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $53. 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 Boquete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antigua Guatemala $22
    Boquete $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antigua Guatemala $44
    Boquete $46
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Boquete

Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Boquete? 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.

Hotels in Antigua Guatemala


Hotels in Boquete


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 Boquete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $12
    Boquete $5.22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $23
  • Guatemala City: One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
  • Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $25
  • Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $25
  • Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $28
  • One way shared transfer to Panajachel: $31
  • From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $50
  • Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Boquete?

Prices for flights to both Boquete 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $14
    Boquete $18
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:


  • Lunch
    $3.23
  • Lunch
    $7.76

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:

  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Experience with Locals: $50
  • Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
  • Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
  • Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
  • Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
  • Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
  • Antigua: Private Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
  • From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $120
  • Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $15
    Boquete $17

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.

  • Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
  • Express tour in Antigua: $20
  • La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $20
  • Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, cultural.: $25
  • PRIVATE Walking City Tour: $25
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $25
  • Chocolate workshop; gastronomic experience of cocoa.: $28
  • Antigua: Marshmallows Roasting at Pacaya Volcano 6-hour Tour: $29
  • Tour Rural de Café/ Coffee Tour : $30
  • Antigua Sightseeing: Private Walking Tour Culture and History: $30
  • Coffee and Gastronomic Bike Tour in Antigua: $34
  • Private Walking tour of Antigua Guatemala: $35

Tours and Activities in Boquete

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:

  • 2-Hour Private Mezcal and Geisha Liqueur Tasting Experience: $65
  • 3-Hour Private Tour to La Estrella Lake from Boquete on E Bike: $84
  • 3-hour Private Tour to the Peque Doraz Butterfly Garden by Ebike: $90
  • Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $45
  • Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
  • Boquete Panoramic Tour: $200
  • Boquete, Panama: Self-Guided E-Bicycle Half-Day Tour: $48
  • Dirtbike adventure in Boquete (half day): $165
  • Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
  • Hiking Experience in Caldera Transportation Included: $90
  • Private honey tasting bike tour and butterfly garden walk: $130
  • Schumann's BOTANICAL PARK TOUR: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $11
    Boquete $4.45


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Boquete, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boquete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boquete 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 Antigua Guatemala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antigua Guatemala than you might in Boquete.

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 Boquete Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Boquete?

Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Boquete, 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.