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 $43. 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 $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antigua Guatemala $44
    Roatan $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.

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 and Roatan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $12
    Roatan $18

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: $25
  • From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $25
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25
  • Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25
  • Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $25
  • Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $25
  • One-Way Shared Van Transfer to Panajachel: $25
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
  • From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
  • transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
  • Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
  • Antigua: One way private transfer to Guatemala City: $64

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

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


  • Water Taxi
    $4.02

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Roatan Island Buggy Adventure plus Transfer: $217
  • North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
  • Parasailing, Beach Break, Chocolate Factory with Transfer: $155
  • East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, Hiking, Beach Break plus Transfer Included: $130
  • 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
  • Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $115
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $112
  • West Bay Aquarium Snorkeling, Chocolate & Rum Factory, City Tour plus Transfer: $91

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
    $3.25
  • Lunch
    $7.79

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: Guatemalan Cooking Experience: $45
  • Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $65
  • Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
  • Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
  • Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
  • Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $80
  • Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
  • Antigua: Private Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $85
  • Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
  • Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $15
    Roatan $26

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.

  • Guided Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $22
  • Antigua Walking Tour: $23
  • From Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Tour in English/Spanish: $23
  • La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $25
  • Walking Tour of the Wonders of La Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • Antigua Walking Tour: $25
  • Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, culture.: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • Cultural and fun tour in Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $25
  • Antigua: Marshmallows Roasting at Pacaya Volcano 6-hour Tour: $29
  • Pacaya Hike from Antigua an Adventure with Roasted Marshmallows: $29

Tours and Activities in Roatan

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

  • Exclusive Roatan Islands Tour Monkey Sloth birds : $52
  • Roatan Jungle Atv Adventure Beach relax chocolate Rum sample: $105
  • 1 Stop Snorkel Adventure with Beach Break: $40
  • 2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay: $65
  • 2 Sites Snorkeling at West Bay Beach with Eco Park Adventure : $135
  • 3-Hours Private Tour in Roatan with Pick Up: $66
  • ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $132
  • Animal Sightings and Walking Tour at Gumbalimba Park with Addons: $90
  • Beer and Food Tasting Experience at Roatan Island Brewing Company: $100
  • Catamaran Cruise, Open Bar, Food and Snorkeling: $165
  • Chocolate Factory,Wildlife Encounter,Sightseeing,Beach in Roatan : $59
  • Costumed tours in paradise : $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $11
    Roatan $6.67

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 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.