Should you visit Flores or Antigua Guatemala?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Flores and Antigua Guatemala can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Flores?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $27, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $50. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Flores and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $14 for a double occupancy room in Flores If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Antigua Guatemala can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $17, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $34.
Local Transportation
To get around in Flores, the average visitor spends $6.36 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Antigua Guatemala's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $9.95 per person, per day on transportation in Antigua Guatemala.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Round-Trip Private Transfer to Tikal from Flores:
$90
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Tikal National Park Tour with Guide and Transfer:
$45
Is it cheaper to fly into Flores or Antigua Guatemala?
Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Flores 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
While meal prices in Flores can vary, the average travelers spends about $10 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Flores should cost around $4.00 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Flores is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
The price of a meal in Antigua Guatemala can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $12 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $4.80 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Flores $10
Antigua Guatemala $12
Typical Food prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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:
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Short Cooking Class in Antigua, Guatemala:
$37
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Guatemalan Food Cooking Class:
$45
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Cooking Classes:
$49
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Food Tour in Antigua Traditional Market:
$58
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Market and Mayan Cooking Class:
$60
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Guatemalan Mestizo and Gourmet Food Tour in Antigua:
$71
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Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class:
$72
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Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour:
$84
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Food Tour in the lovely town of Antigua, Guatemala:
$87
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Guatemala City Market and Food Tour from Antigua:
$90
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Guatemala Cooking Class Tour:
$100
Entertainment
In Flores, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $16 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Antigua Guatemala can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $12 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)
$39
-
Map of Tikal
$3.26
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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2-Day Mayan Ruins Tour of Tikal and Yaxha from Flores:
$302
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Bird Observation Tour:
$117
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Bird Watch Tour in Ixpanpajul, Tikal or Taxha:
$274
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Birding Tour In Tikal:
$130
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Crater Azul, Full day Tour, From FLORES, Petén.:
$171
-
Day Tour to Ixpanpajul Natural Park:
$171
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Day Tour to Petén Itzá Lake and Petencito Zoo:
$123
-
Day Trip from Flores with Sunrise in Tikal and Archeology Tour:
$80
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El Mirador And Crater Azul Tour From Flores 2d / 1n:
$703
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El Mirador And Tikal Tour From Flores 2d / 1n:
$670
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El Mirador And Yaxha Tour From Flores City 2d / 1 N:
$650
-
El Mirador Tour By Helicopter From Flores:
$482
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
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2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua:
$199
-
Antigua ATV Coffee Tour:
$39
-
Antigua ATV Cultural Adventure:
$55
-
Antigua ATV Mountain Adventure:
$66
-
Antigua ATV Sunset Tour:
$59
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Antigua ATV Villages Tour:
$62
-
Antigua Family Walking Tour:
$541
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Antigua Guatemala Walking Group Tour:
$26
-
Stopover Tour:
$75
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Antigua Market Culture and Cuisine Tour:
$20
-
Antigua Walking Tour:
$22
-
Antigua Walking Tour Morning and Afternoon:
$18
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Flores spend on average $17 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Antigua Guatemala, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.16.
Typical Alcohol prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Flores and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Antigua Guatemala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antigua Guatemala than you might in Flores.
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