Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $63Roatan $38
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $63, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $38. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Roatan $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Roatan $22
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.
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 Roatan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $12Roatan $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
- Guatemala City: One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $25
- Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $28
- One way shared transfer to Panajachel: $31
- One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $45
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $50
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $54
- One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce: $59
- One way private transfer to GuatemalaCity: $74
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$4.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
- Parasailing, Beach Break, Chocolate Factory with Transfer: $155
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $144
- West Bay Aquarium Snorkeling, Beach, Zipline, City Tour & Transfer: $140
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, Hiking, Beach Break plus Transfer Included: $130
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
- Scuba Dive in the West End of Roatan with Private Transfer: $125
- Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $115
- Extreme Zipline, City Tour, Chocolate, Rum Factory, Beach Break, Transfer: $91
- Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
- Catch a ride to West Bay & back to Port, Hotel, or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $75
- Mayan Eden Eco Wildlife Park, City Tour & Private Transfer: $67
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
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Food Meals for one dayAntigua Guatemala $14Roatan $9.40
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$3.23
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Lunch$7.74
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: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Experience with Locals: $60
- Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $60
- Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
- Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Foodie & street food tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Roatan $27
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- Artisan Shoemaking & Leather Craft Tour: $10
- Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala : $20
- Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
- Express tour in Antigua: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua Guatemala: $20
- La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $20
- Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, cultural.: $23
- Walking Tour of the Wonders of La Antigua Guatemala: $25
- Antigua Walking Tour Morning and Afternoon: $25
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Chocolate workshop; gastronomic experience of cocoa.: $28
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Chocolate Factory Rum cake Factory, Sightseeing and Beach Tour: $45
- Shore Excursion: VIP Island City Tour and Drift Snorkel : $60
- Shore Excursion: Zip & Dip Adventure: $69
- 2 Tank Roatan Fun Dive, Boat Sightseeing Tour, including ground transportation: $145
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Roatan Island: $65
- ATV Adventure on the East End of Roatan: $135
- ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $99
- ATV park tour: $125
- ATV tour With Lunch all inclusive : $99
- Best of ATV Adventure or BUGGY BLAST: $90
- Catamaran Cruise, Open Bar, Food and Snorkeling: $165
- Cruise Excursion – 2 Scuba Dives with transport (for certified divers): $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $11Roatan $7.05
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.
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.