Which place is cheaper, San Juan 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.
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Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or San Juan?
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 Juan, 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 Juan?
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 Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $218. 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 Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or San Juan? 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 San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico Beach: $85
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $70
- Private Transfers in Guatemala: $39
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $30
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $30
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Airport: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- Luxury Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $220
- Transfer from San Juan to Rincon or Rincon to San Juan: $167
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $118
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- San Juan PR Transfer in Luxury SUV (Airports,Ports,Hotel,Airbnb): $103
- HandyCap Airport Transfer to Isla Verde, Condado or Ocean Park: $100
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 $25San Juan $62
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$3.28
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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
- Cooking class and market tour/Pepian Workshop: $50
- Cooking Class With Local Family: $70
- Guatemalan Mayan Cooking Workshop: $75
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Foodie & Street Food Tour in Antigua: $95
- Pacaya Volcano Hike and Pizza Experience: $175
- Epic Pacaya Volcano Hike w/ Pizza & Marshmallows: $220
- Epic Pacaya Volcano Horseback Tour w/ Pizza & Marshmallows: $271
- Pizza Making Adventure at Pacaya Volcano Tour from Antigua: $299
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FlyDining: 4 Course Sunset & City Light Dinner Over Old San Juan: $159
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $170
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
- ATV tour of picturesque villages around Antigua: $60
- Acatenango Hike: Overnight Group Adventure from Antigua: $225
- Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $129
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Tour: $119
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Tour (2 Days / 1 Night): $90
- Adventure Tour Climbing the Pacaya Volcano with Pickup: $95
- Adventure in Pacaya Volcano from Antigua Guatemala: $150
- Antigua ATV Coffee Tour: $53
- Antigua ATV Cultural Adventure: $59
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- 1 Hour Bull Maze Adventure at Toroverde Urban Park San Juan: $45
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 1)El Yunque Rainforest and Famous Luquillo Beach Experience: $96
- 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $65
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
- Adventure Water Bike in Condado Lagoon, San Juan: $60
- Arecibo Cave Cliffside Waterfall Adventure: $139
- Arecibo Indian Cave Coastal Adventure: $65
- Bio Bay Night Kayak Tour with Transport from San Juan: $125
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure Tour from San Juan: $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12San Juan $12
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 Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and San Juan, we can see that San Juan 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 Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan 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 Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and San Juan, 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.