Which place is cheaper, David or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or David?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or David, 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 David?
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.
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $63David $32
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $63, while the average daily cost in David is $32. 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 David in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22David $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44David $24
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and David
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or David? 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 David Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $12David $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
- Guatemala City: One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- 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
- One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $54
- One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce: $59
- One way private transfer to GuatemalaCity: $74
- From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $75
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
- Transfer Guatemala City to Aurora to Antigua Guatemala: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or David?
Prices for flights to both David 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 $14David $10
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$3.23
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Lunch$7.74
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: $60
- Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $60
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
- Antigua: Make & Eat Pizza at Pacaya Volcano Private Tour: $269
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15David $4.39
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
- La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $20
- Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, cultural.: $23
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Chocolate workshop; gastronomic experience of cocoa.: $28
- Antigua: Marshmallows Roasting at Pacaya Volcano 6-hour Tour: $29
- Antigua Sightseeing: Private Walking Tour Culture and History: $30
- Coffee and Gastronomic Bike Tour in Antigua: $34
- Antigua Cultural Walking Tour : $35
- Private Walking tour of Antigua Guatemala: $35
- Walking Tour Antigua, an open Museum: $35
- Morning Tour from Guatemala City: $38
Tours and Activities in David
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for David are as follows:
- Coffee Plantation Tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $11David -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and David, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 David.
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 David Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or David?
David has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and David, 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.