Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Roatan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Roatan, 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: Aqaba or Roatan?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesRoatan Prices
Honduras Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Roatan $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Aqaba and Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Roatan $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Roatan $22
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Roatan? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Roatan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Roatan $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Petra hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $49
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $49
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Port to King Hussein Airport (AQJ): $56
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $56
- Private Transfer from Aqaba city hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $56
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Catch a ride to West Bay & back to Port, Hotel, or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $75
- Catch a ride to West End & back to Port, Hotel or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $60
- Chocolate Factory, Rum Factory, Markets, Island Tour, Private Transfer: $50
- Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
- Ground transfers and ticket ferry to Utila or La Ceiba: $80
- Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $115
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $124
- Mayan Eden Eco Wildlife Park, City Tour & Private Transfer: $67
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $155
- Roatan Buggy Adventure, Monkey & Sloth Park, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Roatan $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Authentic Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Roatan $26
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
- Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
- Wadi Rum Jeep Tours - Full Day Jeep Tour: $24
- Private Snorkeling Experience in Aqaba Red Sea: $27
- 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Nature Desert morning or sunset: $30
- Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Organized trips and adventures: $26
- Half-day Shopping & Sightseeing Tour: $33
- Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $37
- Half Day Roatan Sightseeing and Jungle Island Tour: $41
- Roatan Jungle Top Wildlife Guided Eco-Park Tour: $45
- Roatan : Private Customizeble Tour with Driver & Guide: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- Private Customize Best of Roatan Island Tour: $45
- Roatan Coxen Hole Tour by Bus: $45
- Roatan Night Snorkel Adventure: $45
- Experience A Comprehensive Real Estate Tour: $46
- Roatan Private Custom Tour History culture Chocolate Rum Sample: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Roatan $6.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Roatan, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Roatan is in Central 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Roatan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Roatan?
Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Roatan, 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.