Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena?
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 Elena, 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 Elena?
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 Elena
Santa Elena is a cute town, and the closest to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, and is a great place to experience the cloud forest and see some of country's unique wildlife.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest you have a good chance of seeing rare quetzals which are the national bird of Costa Rica. Other common animals include white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, orange-kneed tarantulas, any of 8-9 species of hummingbirds, and sloth.
Santa Elena is about 1,400 meters above sea level and has a humid and damp environment. The average yearly temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the average rainfall is 3,000 millimetres. Humidity can be anywhere between 74% and 97%.
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 G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesSanta Elena Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Santa Elena $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $121. 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 Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Santa Elena $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Santa Elena $120
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Santa Elena? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Santa Elena $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Antigua: One way private transfer to Panajachel: $194
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Semuc Champey or Coban: $182
- Private transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Antigua: $90
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Santa Catarina Palopó: $88
- From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $85
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico Beach: $85
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
- Private Transfer One Way Antigua Guatemala to El Paredon Beach: $75
- Private Transfer:Antigua GuatemalaLake Atitlán(Any Town)OneWay: $74
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $70
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel Atitlan: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- One-Way Private Transfer: Monteverde to Quepos and Manuel Antonio: $276
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to your Destination: $260
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $230
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $195
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Saint Helena Monte Verde: $45
- Shuttle Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena 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 $25Santa Elena $45
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
- Antigua Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan: $38
- Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
- Antigua: Traditional cooking lesson with a Guatemalan family: $48
- Cooking class and market tour/Pepian Workshop: $50
- Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $60
- Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Cooking Class With Local Family: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $75
- Cooking Classes and Jade Workshops: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Santa Elena $33
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- 2 - Days : Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $150
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 2-Day, 1-Night Tour of Volcano Acatenango from Antigua: $92
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $220
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $170
- 4 Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $35
- 4-Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $25
- 4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour & Fuego / All Inclusive !: $400
- 4WD experience to Acatenango Volcano/Fuego Volcano from Antigua: $333
- 4x4 Acatenango Volcano and Fuego Vistas 2 Day Shared Tour: $260
- 4x4 tour from Antigua with a night camp in front of the Fuego volcano: $1,300
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $105
- Adventure Day - Outdoor Fun for Family & Friends Package: $39
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course: $69
- Authentic Coffee Farm Tour in Monteverde with Local Family: $40
- Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $44
- Birdwatching Tour in the Cloud Forest hanging Selvatura: $75
- Birdwatching Tour: unlock the wonder, whether beginner or advanced: $175
- Canopy Adventure From Monteverde: $86
- Coffee and Chocolate Walking and Sightseeing Tour at Monteverde Santa Elena: $81
- Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular): $64
- Combo Tour Suspension Bridges + Night Walk in Cloud Forest: $60
- Costa Rica Arenal Volcano Paddle Boarding Experience: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Santa Elena $6.85
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 Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Santa Elena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena Expensive?.
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.