Which place is cheaper, Liberia 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 Liberia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Liberia, 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 Liberia?
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.
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 Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesLiberia Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Liberia $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $142. 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 Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Liberia $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Liberia $134
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Liberia? 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 Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Liberia $48
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
- One-Way Shared Van Transfer to Panajachel: $25
- Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $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
- 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: $34
- From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Playa Nosara & Guiones Guanacaste: $295
- RoundTrip Private Transfer - Liberia Airport to your selected location: $295
- Transfer JW Marriot Costa Elena from Airports ROUND TRIP: $290
- Transfer from Nosara Beach to Liberia Airport (LIR): $280
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa: $280
- Transfer from Liberia Airport LIR to La Fortuna 1 to6 Passengers: $266
- Private Round-Trip Transfer:Liberia Airport to Flamingo Beach with Free Drinks: $260
- Liberia Int Airport (LIR) to Malpais/Montezuma - Private Transfer: $259
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Jaco and Monteverde: $257
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas: $255
- One-Way Private Transfer from Liberia Guanacaste Airport to La Fortuna (Arenal): $252
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport: $250
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAntigua Guatemala $25Liberia $40
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:
- Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
- Antigua Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan: $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
- Guatemalan Mayan Cooking Workshop: $75
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $75
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$2.20
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$5.52
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Lunch$13
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$15
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Ginger Ale$1.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- Tree Planting, Sunset, and Dinner at a Farm: $60
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara: $62
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $95
- City Tour with Lunch/Dinner from JW Marriott Costa Elena: $230
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Liberia $28
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- Antigua Guatemala Historic Center Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $5.00
- Signature Lattes Tasting Experience in Antigua for Coffee Lovers: $14
- Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
- Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Express tour in Antigua: $20
- City Walking Tour by Chef David Farfan: $20
- Guided City Tour with Chef David Farfan: $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
- Antigua Walking Tour: $24
- Walking tour to explore La Antigua Guatemala: $24
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- 1 Day Private Tour in Nicaragua From Guanacaste Costa Rica: $236
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $85
- 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco: $40
- 2 days Animal Lovers Combo : Palo Verde & Sloth Discovery Tour: $275
- 3 In 1 Volcano Hot Springs & Mud Baths And River Floating Tour: $300
- 4-Hour Private Guided ATV Tour in Costa Rica: $132
- 7 Hour Private Tour in Palo Verde National Park with Pickup: $150
- 8 Essential Guanacaste Experiences: culture, nature & wellness: $78
- ATV Adventure & Zipline Combo Tour in Guanacaste: $160
- ATV Adventure in the Jungle: $180
- ATV Off-Road Tour to Guanacaste Beaches, Rivers & Forest: $116
- ATV Tour and Local History in Guanacaste: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Liberia $14
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
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.
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 Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Liberia?
Liberia has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Liberia, 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.