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

Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or San Francisco?

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

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

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.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, San Francisco 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.

  • Antigua Guatemala Prices
    Guatemala Prices
    San Francisco Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Antigua Guatemala $74
    San Francisco $251

The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $251. 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 San Francisco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antigua Guatemala $22
    San Francisco $130
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antigua Guatemala $44
    San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and San Francisco

Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco


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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $12
    San Francisco $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $185
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $90
  • Private Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel Atitlan: $66
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $65
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
  • Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $27
  • Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Silicon Valley Private Tour with Transfers: $510
  • SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from Sacramento: $432
  • Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport: $400
  • San Francisco Airport SFO to Oakland -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
  • Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $245
  • Private Luxury Transfer Tour : $200
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury Car: $185
  • California: Oakland Airport Transfer from San Francisco: $180
  • California: Oakland Airport Transfer to San Francisco: $180
  • San Francisco Airport 1-Way Transfer to/from the City: $180
  • Private Airport Transfer From San Francisco Union Square To SFO: $180
  • Private Transfer from San Francisco (SFO) Airport to San Francisco City: $167

Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or San Francisco?

Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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
    San Francisco $79
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:


  • Lunch
    $3.26
  • Lunch
    $7.82

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:

  • Taste of Guatemala,Walking Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala : $50
  • Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
  • Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
  • Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
  • Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $80
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Private Pacaya Volcano Hike & Optional Pizza Experience: $85
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $85
  • Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
  • Foodie & Street Food Tour in Antigua: $95
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
  • The Culinary Antigua Food Tour: $116

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco

For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Online Cooking Class Pepper Steak Great for Team Building: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings by Chef Sunflower Li: $25
  • No Diet Club - Best street food tour in San Francisco !: $64
  • North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $84
  • North Beach & Chinatown Authentic Food Tour: $84
  • San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
  • Mission District Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $89
  • Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $92
  • Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 Food Tour: $99
  • Mission District Walking Food Tour: $99
  • Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39 Food Tour - Includes Full Meal, 3 hrs: $99
  • San Francisco North Beach Food Tour: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $15
    San Francisco $31

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

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

  • ¡Pacaya Volcano Tour from Antigua!: $100
  • 2 - Days : Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $130
  • 2 Day Tour: Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan from Antigua: $150
  • 2-Day Antigua Tour 1 Night at Acatenango Volcano: $87
  • 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
  • 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $78
  • ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
  • ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Antigua Villages Experience: $95
  • ATV Tour of the Magic Towns of Antigua: $65
  • ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $75
  • Acatenango 2 Days Camping Adventure: $128
  • Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $129

Tours and Activities in San Francisco

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.

  • Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour Small-Group Half Day: $84
  • North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: Food, History & Flavor: $86
  • Private Luxury Car Tour in San Francisco Hotel Kabuki: $99
  • Small Group | 1 Day Tour Through Monterey From San Francisco: $205
  • "Summer of Love" tour in Haight-Ashbury in French: $63
  • 2hrs- Beyond the Bridge - Marin Headlands GoCar Tour: $219
  • 3-Hour Beyond the Bridge Buggy Tour to Sausalito : $279
  • 30-40 Minute Airplane San Francisco Bay Flight Tour: $289
  • 3HR Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park GoCar Tour: $229
  • 4-Hour Painted Ladies and Haight-Ashbury GoCar Tour: $269
  • A Sip and Paint Experience in San Francisco: $89
  • Airplane San Francisco Sunset Flight Tour: $299

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $11
    San Francisco $22

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 San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $17
  • Ultimate San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Walk with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
  • Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
  • Local Distillery Cocktail Class: $49
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
  • Napa Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
  • From Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
  • 5 hours private napa wine tour from san francisco up to 7 people: $120
  • Half-Day Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings: $130
  • Small Group Napa and Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tour from San Francisco: $132


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 San Francisco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and San Francisco, 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.