Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Machu Picchu, 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 Machu Picchu?
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.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
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 Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $75Machu Picchu $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $75, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $126. 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 Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Machu Picchu $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Machu Picchu $92
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Machu Picchu? 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 Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Machu Picchu $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Antigua: One way private transfer to Panajachel: $194
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Semuc Champey or Coban: $182
- Private Transfer from Antigua to Semuc Champey Lanquin: $145
- Private transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Antigua: $90
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $90
- From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $85
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico Beach: $85
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
- Private Transfer One Way Antigua Guatemala to El Paredon Beach: $75
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $75
- Private Transfer:Antigua GuatemalaLake Atitlán(Pana)OneWay: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu 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 $25Machu Picchu $36
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$3.29
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Lunch$7.89
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
- Antigua Street Food Tour: $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
- Guatemalan Mayan Cooking Workshop: $75
- Cooking Classes and Jade Workshops: $75
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Machu Picchu $81
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 Machu Picchu
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Gardens of Mandor$2.96
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Machu Picchu $7.52
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 Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antigua Guatemala is in Central America and Machu Picchu is in South America, 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 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 Machu Picchu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Machu Picchu 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 Machu Picchu Expensive?.
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.