Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Puerto Vallarta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Puerto Vallarta, 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
-
Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Puerto Vallarta $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $136. 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 Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Puerto Vallarta $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Puerto Vallarta $122
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Puerto Vallarta? 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 Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Puerto Vallarta $18
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
- Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $30
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $30
- Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $30
- From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- NAYARIT VIP Round Trip Transfers Airport - Bucerias - Airport: $209
- Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
- Sayulita hotels to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) – Private Departure Transfer: $151
- Private Airport Transfers across Bahía de Banderas: $150
- Puerto Vallarta Port to Puerto Vallarta RoundTripPrivate Transfer: $140
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta Port-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer from PVR to Puerto Vallarta / Punta de Mita / Sayulita: $138
- Punta de Mita to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) - Private Departure Transfer: $137
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Punta de Mita hotels - Private Arrival Transfer: $137
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- Airport Transfer Puerto Vallarta: $135
- Private Transfer Puerto Vallarta to Licenciado Gustavo Airport: $122
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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
-
Food Meals for one dayAntigua Guatemala $25Puerto Vallarta $61
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
-
Lunch$3.28
-
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:
- Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
- Antigua Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan: $38
- Cooking and pastry class in 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
- Antigua Street Food Tour: $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Ultimate Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Food Tours: $47
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Bucerias Morning Food Tour: Secrets of a Local Guide: $59
- Bucerias Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Vallarta Flavours Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
- Mexican Cooking Class & Unlimited Margaritas: $93
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour: $99
- Puerto Vallarta Salsa Cooking Class Evening Edition: $99
- Coastal Adventure in Quimixto : Hiking and Cooking Workshop: $105
- Cook Like a Local: Vallarta Market & Cooking Experience: $111
- Authentic Cooking Class in Puerto Vallarta in Chef Manu's Home: $119
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Puerto Vallarta $18
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
- Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala: $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
- La Antigua Myths and Legends Stories Night Walking Tour: $25
- Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, culture.: $25
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- 1/2 Day Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden tour: $60
- 2 Hour Private Surfing Experience in Puerto Vallarta: $99
- ATV Adventure in Puerto Vallarta (Single): $107
- ATV Jorullo Bridge Tour: $174
- ATV Jungle and River Adventure in Puerto Vallarta (3.5 Hours): $164
- ATV Single Jungle Adventure-Waterfalls, Tequila & Local Culture": $107
- ATV Tour: $129
- ATV Tour Rio Cuale Sierra Madre Mountains and tequila tasting: $76
- ATV Tour in Puerto Vallarta to the Glass Viewpoint: $204
- ATV Tour in Puerto Vallarta, waterfall and tequila tasting.: $104
- ATV adventure through the mountains of Puerto Vallarta: $129
- ATV and RZR Jorullo Bridge Experience in Puerto Vallarta: $169
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Puerto Vallarta $23
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta is in North 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 Puerto Vallarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Puerto Vallarta, 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.