Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
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.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $63Santa Cruz de la Sierra $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $63, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $54. 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $12Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Guatemala City: One-way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $20
- Guatemala: Antigua and Lago Atitlan Shuttle Transfer: $25
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $27
- Transfer Guatemala City to Aurora to Antigua Guatemala: $130
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
-
Taxi Ride$4.34
-
Mini Bus$0.58
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 dayAntigua Guatemala $14Santa Cruz de la Sierra $20
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
-
Lunch$3.22
-
Lunch$7.72
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:
- Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Foodie & street food tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
- From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $110
- Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295
Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:
-
Snacks$3.18
-
Chips$0.29
-
Banana$0.14
-
Cookies$1.30
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19
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
- Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Express tour in Antigua: $20
- La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $20
- Antigua Walking Tour: $23
- Chocolate workshop; gastronomic experience of cocoa.: $28
- Antigua Guatemala Walking Group Tour: $30
- Private Walking tour of Antigua Guatemala: $35
- Antigua Cultural Walking Tour : $35
- Walking Tour Antigua, an open Museum: $35
- WORRY DOLL TOUR: $36
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $11Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:
-
Beer$1.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz de la Sierra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antigua Guatemala is in Central America and Santa Cruz de la Sierra is in South 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.