Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
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.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Koh Tao $47
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $47. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Koh Tao $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Koh Tao $30
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Koh Tao $9.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Group Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $220
- From Antigua: One way private transfer to Panajachel: $194
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Semuc Champey or Coban: $182
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $180
- Private transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Antigua: $90
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Santa Catarina Palopó: $88
- From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $85
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico Beach: $85
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
- One Way Shared Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Flores Peten: $79
- Private Transfer One Way Antigua Guatemala to El Paredon Beach: $75
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.63
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Tao
Also for Koh Tao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Convenient Catamaran and Bus Transfer from Koh Tao to Krabi: $61
- Koh Tao to Krabi High Speed Catamaran with Bus Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $25Koh Tao $17
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$7.85
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:
- Mamma Yamma PACAYA COOKING CLASS by chef David Farfán: $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
- Pepián Plates Antigua Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $59
- Mayan Meals Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $59
- Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $60
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $75
- Guatemalan Mayan Cooking Workshop: $75
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.92
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Breakfast$4.44
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.55
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.07
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.29
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Koh Tao Small-Group Half-Day Cooking Class with Sea View: $61
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao: $65
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $248
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $265
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Koh Tao $29
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: $150
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 2-Day, 1-Night Tour of Volcano Acatenango from Antigua: $92
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $220
- 4 Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $35
- 4-Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $25
- 4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour & Fuego / All Inclusive !: $400
- 4WD experience to Acatenango Volcano/Fuego Volcano from Antigua: $333
- 4x4 tour from Antigua with a night camp in front of the Fuego volcano: $1,300
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
- ATV Off Road Adventure at Pacaya Volcano from Antigua: $99
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.40
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Snorkel Rental$2.96
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.96
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $29
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $119
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $52
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $29
- Ko Tao: Ko Nangyuan & Hidden Bays Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: $29
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $30
- Koh Tao 3 Dive Catamaran Diving Experience with MV Chaba: $109
- Koh Tao 5-Stop Snorkeling and Sunset Big Boat Tour with Lunch: $38
- Koh Tao Afternoon Snorkeling Experience with 5 Stops: $30
- Koh Tao Small-Group Snorkeling Tour with Lunch and Pickup Option: $45
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan: $41
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Koh Tao $7.75
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 Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.92
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Koh Tao, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antigua Guatemala is in Central America and Koh Tao is in Asia, 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 Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.
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 Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Koh Tao?
Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Koh Tao, 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.