Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Liberia?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Liberia, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
Which city is cheaper, Liberia or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $50, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $72. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Antigua Guatemala and Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Antigua Guatemala can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $17, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $34.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $76 for a double occupancy room in Liberia.
Food
The price of a meal in Antigua Guatemala can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $12 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $4.80 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Liberia travelers spend around $13 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Antigua Guatemala $12
Liberia $13
Typical Food prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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:
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Short Cooking Class in Antigua, Guatemala:
$37
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Guatemalan Food Cooking Class:
$45
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Cooking Classes:
$49
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Food Tour in Antigua Traditional Market:
$58
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Market and Mayan Cooking Class:
$60
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Guatemalan Mestizo and Gourmet Food Tour in Antigua:
$71
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Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class:
$72
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Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour:
$84
-
Food Tour in the lovely town of Antigua, Guatemala:
$87
-
Guatemala City Market and Food Tour from Antigua:
$90
Typical Food prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
Local Transportation
Antigua Guatemala's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $9.92 per person, per day on transportation in Antigua Guatemala.
The cost of a taxi ride in Liberia is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $27 per person, per day, on local transportation in Liberia.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
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Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Nosara Beach Guanacaste:
$427
-
Private Airport Transfer to Punta Islita Hotel:
$380
-
Private Transfer Int. Airport Liberia To La Fortuna From 11 to 15 passengers:
$316
-
Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Azura Beach Resort:
$280
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Private transfer from Tambor Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport:
$276
-
One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia:
$271
-
Private transfer from Liberia Guanacaste to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport:
$257
-
Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to JW Marriott Guanacaste Hotel:
$240
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Private Transfer from LIR Airport to Arenal - Minivan:
$235
-
Liberia Airport Private Transfer to La Fortuna:
$231
-
Private Transfer Int. Airport Liberia To La Fortuna From 7 to 10 passengers:
$211
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Private Transfer ATO LIR to Westin Conchal Standar:
$187
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Antigua Guatemala can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Liberia typically cost an average of $16 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
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Antigua old city Walking tour:
$8.00
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Artisan Shoemaking & Leather Craft Tour:
$10
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Walking Tour Antigua Guatemala:
$12
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Antigua Walking Tour Morning and Afternoon:
$18
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La Antigua Cultural Walking Tour:
$20
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LA ANTIGUA CULTURAL WALKING TOUR- Afternoon:
$20
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Antigua Market Culture and Cuisine Tour:
$20
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Antigua Walking Tour:
$22
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Private Walking tour of Antigua Guatemala:
$24
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Cultural Walking City Tour of Antigua Guatemala:
$25
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Full day Walking tour Antigua Guatemala:
$25
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Experience Antigua Walking Tour:
$26
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
-
3 Days Small-Group Tour in Arenal Volcano from Liberia All Inclusive:
$590
-
Beach-mountain & Sloth Refuge Buggy Tour:
$256
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Blue Volcanic River Waterfalls and Hot Springs Mud Bath Adventure in Rincon de la Vieja from Liberia:
$128
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Blue Volcanic River Waterfalls and Hot Springs Mud Bath Adventure in Rincon de la Vieja from Playa Del Coco:
$128
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Dino Park and Blue River Resort Adventure in Rincon de la Vieja from Liberia:
$128
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Dino Park and Blue River Resort Adventure in Rincon de la Vieja from Playa Del Coco:
$128
-
Eco-Adventure Park Day Pass:
$82
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Full Day Volcano and Hot Springs Tour from Guanacaste:
$200
-
Full-Day Adventure Tour in Guanacaste with Lunch:
$174
-
Guachipelin Adventure Volcano Zipline Horseback River Tubing Combo:
$113
-
Half-Day Tour to Tenorio Volcano National Park from Guanacaste:
$139
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Hiking to the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park Private Tour:
$185
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Antigua Guatemala, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.13.
The average person spends about $7.99 on alcoholic beverages in Liberia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Liberia, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia than you might in Antigua Guatemala.
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