Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Roatan?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Roatan, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Roatan or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $50, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $31. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Antigua Guatemala and Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Antigua Guatemala can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $17, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $34.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $18 for a double occupancy room in Roatan.
Food
The price of a meal in Antigua Guatemala can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $11 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $4.40 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Food in Roatan costs travelers about $7.62 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Antigua Guatemala $11
Roatan $7.62
Typical Food prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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:
-
Short Cooking Class in Antigua, Guatemala:
$37
-
Guatemalan Food Cooking Class:
$45
-
Cooking Classes:
$49
-
Food Tour in Antigua Traditional Market:
$58
-
Market and Mayan Cooking Class:
$60
-
Guatemalan Mestizo and Gourmet Food Tour in Antigua:
$71
-
Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class:
$72
-
Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour:
$84
-
Food Tour in the lovely town of Antigua, Guatemala:
$87
-
Guatemala City Market and Food Tour from Antigua:
$90
Local Transportation
Antigua Guatemala's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $9.90 per person, per day on transportation in Antigua Guatemala.
The cost of a taxi ride in Roatan is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $15 per person, per day, on local transportation in Roatan.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
-
bus & Taxi Uber Roatan transfer to the beach customize your tour:
$26
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Antigua Guatemala can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Roatan typically cost an average of $22 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
-
Antigua old city Walking tour:
$8.00
-
Artisan Shoemaking & Leather Craft Tour:
$10
-
Walking Tour Antigua Guatemala:
$12
-
Antigua Walking Tour Morning and Afternoon:
$18
-
La Antigua Cultural Walking Tour:
$20
-
LA ANTIGUA CULTURAL WALKING TOUR- Afternoon:
$20
-
Antigua Market Culture and Cuisine Tour:
$20
-
Antigua Walking Tour:
$22
-
Private Walking tour of Antigua Guatemala:
$24
-
Cultural Walking City Tour of Antigua Guatemala:
$25
-
Full day Walking tour Antigua Guatemala:
$25
-
Experience Antigua Walking Tour:
$26
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
-
2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay:
$65
-
4-Hour East Side Roatan Private Guided Tour with Canoe Ride:
$85
-
AJ's Monkey/Sloth Family Experience, City Tour and Chocolate Tasting:
$55
-
ATV East & West End Tour:
$107
-
Cruise Ship Multiple Snorkeling, Snacks, Music & Private Vehicle:
$85
-
Do It Your Way Roatán Free Style Tour.:
$32
-
Garifuna Village plus Daniel Johnson Monkey and Sloth and Mangrove Tunnel Tour.:
$82
-
Good Samaritan Tour:
$51
-
Island tour in Roatan:
$49
-
Island tour sightseeing +sanctuary and beach:
$60
-
Mangrove tunnel and Garifuna culture tour:
$90
-
Mayan Jungle Canopy & Zip-line Tour, Monkey Business & West Bay Beach!:
$127
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Antigua Guatemala, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.12.
The average person spends about $5.72 on alcoholic beverages in Roatan per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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.
Related Articles for Antigua Guatemala
Related Articles for Roatan
