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

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 Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $73, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $109. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antigua Guatemala $22
    Santa Elena $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antigua Guatemala $44
    Santa Elena $110
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.

Hotels in Antigua Guatemala


Hotels in Santa Elena


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $12
    Santa Elena $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

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

  • One way private transfer to Panajachel: $189
  • From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $85
  • One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
  • Private transfer from Antigua to the La Aurora Airport.: $72
  • Private transfer from the Airport to Antigua: $70
  • Antigua: One way private transfer to Guatemala City: $64
  • Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
  • transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
  • From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
  • Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $30
  • Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $27
  • Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25

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 La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
  • One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde to Samara : $269
  • Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
  • Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $205
  • MiniVan Departure Transfer Monteverde to San Jose Airport SJO: $175
  • Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $173
  • Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $93
  • Shuttle Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal: $27

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $25
    Santa Elena $41
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

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


  • Lunch
    $3.23
  • Lunch
    $7.75

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: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Experience with Locals: $55
  • Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
  • Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
  • Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
  • Antigua: Private Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
  • Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $90
  • Antigua: Make & Eat Pizza at Pacaya Volcano Private Tour: $299

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $15
    Santa Elena $30

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-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
  • 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $145
  • 2-day tour from Antigua 1 night in Acatenango Volcano: $105
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $160
  • 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $75
  • 4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour & Fuego / All Inclusive !: $400
  • ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $72
  • ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Shared Antigua Villages Experience: $95
  • Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $129
  • Acatenango Volcano Tour with Overnight from Antigua: $99
  • Acatenango Volcano Tour: 1 night in Glamping: $166

Tours and Activities in Santa Elena

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.

  • Cloud Forest hanging bridges with a local naturalist tour guide: $38
  • Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
  • Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $30
  • 2x1 Guided Tour Combo Hanging Bridges and Night Walk: $55
  • 3 Hours Bird Watching Guided Experience in Bajo Cebadilla: $90
  • 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $95
  • 5-Hour Birdwatching and Photography Tour in Monteverde: $120
  • Admission Ticket to Las Pumas Rescue Center : $20
  • Adventure Day - Outdoor Fun for Family & Friends Package: $29
  • Adventure Park High Ropes Course : $69
  • Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $40
  • Bird-Watching private tour : $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $11
    Santa Elena $6.21

Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:

  • Artisanal Honey Cheese and Wine Tasting and Tour: $135


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?.