A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aqaba vs. Roatan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


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.

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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Roatan $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Roatan $20
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.

Hotels in Aqaba


Hotels in Roatan


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Roatan $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
  • King Hussein Int Airport Transfers One Way to Aqaba: $25
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
  • Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
  • Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $48
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Petra hotels: $48
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $48
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba city hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $55
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba City Hotels: $55
  • Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Petra: $59
  • Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $3.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Airport, Hotel or Cruise Port, Ferry Roatan Private Transfer: $35
  • Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $113
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $80
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $122
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $153
  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $199
  • Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $95
  • Roatan Island hotels to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $61
  • Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
  • Roatan West Bay Beach Break with Roundtrip Transfer: $75
  • Roatan Zipline, Monkey, Macaws & Sloths Eco Park, Snorkeling, Transfer: $120

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Aqaba $73
    Roatan $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.

  • Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
  • Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
  • "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
  • Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $82
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $90
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $109

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.

  • Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    Roatan $25

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
  • Turgut camp with tour: $15
  • Join Us Before Sunset – Aqaba Walking Tour Let's Go!: $27
  • Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
  • Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
  • Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
  • Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
  • 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $32
  • Wadi Rum: Premium English Speaking Guide 4WD Desert Tour: $33
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
  • 4 Hour Jeep Tour Morning or Sunset Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • Camel Tours in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $37

Tours and Activities in Roatan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:

  • Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
  • Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
  • Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
  • Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $45
  • 1 Stop Snorkel Adventure with Beach Break: $45
  • Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
  • Roatan Private island tour In Honduras: $48
  • Roatan VIP Free-Style Private Tour: $49
  • Extreme Zip Line Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $49
  • Cruise Travelers West Bay Beach Break with Island Tour in Roatan: $50
  • Roatan Private Half-Day Sightseen Tour and Beach: $50
  • Customizable Roatán Private Tour: Rum, Chocolate & Island Culture: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Roatan $6.52

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
  • Roatan ATV Adventure, Island Tour and Craft Brewery Experience: $99


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.

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