A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antigua Guatemala vs. Roatan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Roatan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Roatan, 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 Roatan?

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.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

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 Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antigua Guatemala $22
    Roatan $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antigua Guatemala $44
    Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Roatan? 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.

Hotels in Antigua Guatemala


Hotels in Roatan


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $13
    Roatan $17

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
  • Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $30
  • From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $3.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • Scuba Dive in the West End of Roatan with Private Transfer: $155
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $152
  • Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
  • Roatan Zipline, Monkey, Macaws & Sloths Eco Park, Snorkeling, Transfer: $128
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
  • South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $112
  • Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
  • Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99
  • West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 day
    Antigua Guatemala $25
    Roatan $15
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:

  • 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 Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.

  • Private Roundtrip Transfer to West End for Dinner and Nightlife: $70
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $15
    Roatan $25

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
  • Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala: $20
  • Half-Day Walking Tour: $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
  • Guided Walking Tour with Coffee: $24
  • Colonial Antigua Afternoon Walking Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • La Antigua Myths and Legends Stories Night Walking Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Roatan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:

  • 3-Hours Private Tour in Roatan with Pick Up: $66
  • 4 Hours Private Tour with Snorkel Experience in Roatan: $50
  • 4 Hours Private Tour with Snorkeling and West Bay Beach Break: $80
  • ATV & community adventure, Mangrove tour, food tasting and Beach: $139
  • ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $132
  • ATVS, Sloths and Monkeys, Beach Break Private Tour: $130
  • Atv Island Tour: $140
  • Catamaran Cruise, Open Bar, Food and Snorkeling: $165
  • Cruise Ship Tour Package from Roatan: $70
  • Custom Private Tour of Roatan Activities for the Whole Family: $60
  • Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
  • Customizable Roatán Private Tour: Rum, Chocolate & Island Culture: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $12
    Roatan $6.53

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 Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
  • Roatan Horseback Ride, Island Tour and Brewery Tasting: $125


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Roatan, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.

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 Roatan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Roatan?

Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Roatan, 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.