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

Should you visit Cozumel or Antigua Guatemala?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cozumel and Antigua Guatemala can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cozumel or Antigua Guatemala?

Cozumel

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Cozumel?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cozumel Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Antigua Guatemala Prices
    Guatemala Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cozumel $122
    Antigua Guatemala $74

The average daily cost (per person) in Cozumel is $122, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $74. 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 Cozumel and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cozumel $63
    Antigua Guatemala $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cozumel $126
    Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Cozumel and Antigua Guatemala

Looking for a hotel in Cozumel or Antigua Guatemala? 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 Cozumel


Hotels in Antigua Guatemala


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: Cozumel Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cozumel $21
    Antigua Guatemala $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

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

  • Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport (CZM): $93
  • ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $83
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
  • Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel to Cozumel Airport: $67
  • Private One Way Transfer from Cozumel Airport to Cozumel: $67
  • Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65
  • ATV tour to jade cavern with transfer (single or double): $55
  • Cozumel Mayan Experience And Beach Getaway with Transfer: $55
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $51
  • Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

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

  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $185
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $90
  • Private Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel Atitlan: $66
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $65
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
  • Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $27
  • Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Cozumel or Antigua Guatemala?

Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Cozumel 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
    Cozumel $37
    Antigua Guatemala $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel

For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Under the Stars Twilight Snorkel and Seaside Dinner at Money Bar: $90
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $90
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $110

Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

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


  • Lunch
    $3.26
  • Lunch
    $7.82

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:

  • Taste of Guatemala,Walking Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala : $50
  • Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
  • Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
  • Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
  • Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $80
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Private Pacaya Volcano Hike & Optional Pizza Experience: $85
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $85
  • Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
  • Foodie & Street Food Tour in Antigua: $95
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
  • The Culinary Antigua Food Tour: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cozumel $40
    Antigua Guatemala $15

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

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

  • 10 Experiences Tour : $200
  • 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $78
  • 4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán : $72
  • 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $55
  • ATV Adventour: Jade Cave Cenote, Transportation & Tequila: $87
  • ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern Double: $113
  • ATV Adventure to Mayan Jade Cavern plus Snorkeling and Lunch: $79
  • ATV Jungle Adventure to Hidden Mayan Ruins and Caves: $89
  • ATV Seashore + Cenote Combo: Mezcalitos & Mayan Cenote Experience: $64
  • ATV and Clear Boat Ride Full Experience in Cozumel: $80
  • Adventure Tour Village ATVs Beach with Snorkeling and Villa Maya: $100
  • Adventure in Punta Sur Ecological Reserve Cozumel: $90

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 - Days : Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $130
  • 2 Day Tour: Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan from Antigua: $150
  • 2-Day Antigua Tour 1 Night at Acatenango Volcano: $87
  • 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
  • 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $78
  • ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
  • ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Antigua Villages Experience: $95
  • ATV Tour of the Magic Towns of Antigua: $65
  • ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $75
  • Acatenango 2 Days Camping Adventure: $128
  • Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $129

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cozumel $10
    Antigua Guatemala $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Cozumel

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:

  • Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $45
  • Downtown Cozumel and Brewery Experience: $69
  • Rum and Gin at Cozumel First Distillery : $99
  • Craft Beer Tasting Experience with Brewery Tour: $99
  • Cozumel Mixology Experience at Distillery : $109

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 Cozumel and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Cozumel is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cozumel is in North America and Antigua Guatemala 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 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cozumel or Antigua Guatemala?

Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Cozumel and Antigua Guatemala, 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.