Which place is cheaper, Granada 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 Granada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Granada, 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 Granada?
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.
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesGranada Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Granada $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Granada is $50. 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 Granada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Granada $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Granada
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Granada? 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 Granada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Granada $8.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
- Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25
- One-Way Shared Van Transfer to Panajachel: $25
- From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $25
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Airport: $27
- Private Transfer From Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $29
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $30
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $30
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $30
- Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $30
- Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $30
- Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $40
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- Leon: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Rivas: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Granada?
Prices for flights to both Granada 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 $25Granada $24
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$3.28
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Lunch$7.87
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:
- Cooking and pastry class in Casa San Miguel: $38
- Antigua Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan: $38
- Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — 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
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Cooking Class With Local Family: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $75
- Cooking Classes and Jade Workshops: $75
Typical Food Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
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Pizza$2.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Granada.
- San Juan del Sur: Granada Tour with Breakfast and Dinner: $580
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Granada $10
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
- 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
- Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour History Architecture & Facades: $25
- Walking tour Jewels of Antigua : A Tour of the Unmissable: $25
- Colonial Antigua Afternoon Walking Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
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Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.20
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Aguas Agrias & Monteverde Chocolate Tour: $140
- Aguas Agrias: Horseback Ride, Chocolate Tour, & Lunch: $185
- Bird Watching Tour: $90
- Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $135
- Canopy & Crater on Mombacho Volcano & Islets Sunset Boat Tour: $180
- Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour": $92
- City Tour Granada, Nicaragua.: $40
- Coyotepe Fortress, Colonial Granada & Masaya Volcano – Premium Sightseeing Tour: $81
- Epic Night Tour to Masaya Volcano: $80
- From Managua: Colonial tour and hiking at Mombacho volcano: $130
- Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
- Full Day Tour Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Granada $7.53
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
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Tequila$1.37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Granada, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.
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 Granada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Granada?
Granada has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Granada, 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.