Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Cabo San Lucas, 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 Cabo San Lucas?
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.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Cabo San Lucas $168
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $168. 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 Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Cabo San Lucas $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Cabo San Lucas $120
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Cabo San Lucas? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Cabo San Lucas $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
- One-Way Shared Van Transfer to Panajachel: $25
- Antigua: One way private transfer to Guatemala City: $69
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $30
- From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- From Antigua: One way private transfer to Panajachel: $194
- From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $85
- From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $25
- Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $30
- Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- Private Round Trip Transfer Los Cabos Airport to Cabo San Lucas: $300
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to the Pacifica Area: $293
- Transfer to Cabo San Lucas from Round Trip Airport: $280
- Cabo San Lucas Port to San Jose Del Cabo hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $280
- Private Airport Transfers in Los Cabos: $264
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to Cabo San Lucas Area: $261
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Los Cabos 1-10px: $255
- Private Los Cabos Airport to San Jose del Cabo Transfer: $250
- Private Airport Transfer to Los Cabos Hotels: $250
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Airport Transfer: $236
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to Tourist Corridor Area: $236
- Round Trip Private SUV Transfer SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas: $231
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas 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 $25Cabo San Lucas $84
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$3.27
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Lunch$7.86
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: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
- Antigua Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan: $38
- Cooking and pastry class in Casa San Miguel: $38
- Antigua: Traditional cooking lesson with a Guatemalan family: $48
- Cooking class and market tour/Pepian Workshop: $50
- Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $60
- Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
- Antigua Street Food Tour: $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.
- Taste Tacos & Street Food Like a Local: Cabo San Lucas Food Tour: $64
- Mexican Cooking Class and Garden Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $75
- Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
- Sunset Fajita Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $80
- Small-Group Food Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $82
- Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise: Fajitas, Lands End and Party: $84
- San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $88
- San José del Cabo for Meat Lovers Food Tour: $90
- Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose: $95
- Cabo San Lucas Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise to the Arch: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Cabo San Lucas $41
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- Signature Lattes Tasting Experience in Antigua for Coffee Lovers: $13
- Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
- Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Guided City Tour with Chef David Farfan: $20
- Express tour in Antigua: $20
- Cultural and Fun Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $22
- Walking Tour with Local Guide: $23
- From Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Tour in English/Spanish: $23
- Guided Walking Tour with Coffee: $24
- Antigua Walking Tour: $24
- La Antigua Myths and Legends Stories Night Walking Tour: $25
- Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, culture.: $25
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Exclusive Cabo San Lucas Trimaran Experience with Snorkeling": $180
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Adventure: $180
- 2 Hours Horseback Riding Adventure in Cabo: $130
- 2-Hour Camel Ride Beach and Desert Adventure Experience: $120
- 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour in Cabo with Breakfast: $130
- 2-Hours Sunset Experience at Los Cabos with Jazz and Bar! from Los Cabos: $165
- 2x1 Tour: Cabo San Lucas Arch + Camels Ride + Pick up!: $55
- 30-Minute Jetski Adventure in Los Cabos: $65
- 4-Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cabo San Lucas and Corridor: $109
- 4x4 ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch: $75
- A Full-Day Baja Adventure: La Paz, Balandra Beach & Todos Santos: $130
- A taste of Los Cabos. A San Jose and Cabo San Lucas City Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Cabo San Lucas $27
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Cabo Bar Crawl to the Best Bars and Clubs in Cabo: $60
- Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $280
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas is in North 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 Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Cabo San Lucas, 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.