A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Flores vs. San Pedro de Atacama for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Flores or San Pedro de Atacama?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Flores and San Pedro de Atacama can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Flores or San Pedro de Atacama?

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.

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours in Guatemala, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama or Flores?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $33, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $59. 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 Flores and San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Flores $8.62
    San Pedro de Atacama $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Flores $17
    San Pedro de Atacama $64
Compare Hotels in Flores and San Pedro de Atacama

Looking for a hotel in Flores or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 Flores


Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama


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: Flores Hotel Prices and San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Flores $7.86
    San Pedro de Atacama $9.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores

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

  • Transfer from Flores Guatemala to Caye Caulker Belize: $43
  • Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $60
  • Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $137
  • Private transfer Mundo Maya Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
  • Belize, Caye Caulke, San Pedro Van/ Ferry Transfer: $20
  • Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama

Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfers to San Pedro de Acatama (shared service): $30
  • Transfer to the Puritama Hot Springs: $60
  • Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
  • Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $40
  • Puritama Thermal Transfer: $46
  • Private transfer San Pedro de Atacama - calama airport: $200
  • Direct Transfer Atacama to Uyuni: $128
  • Calama Airport: Shared Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
  • Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
  • Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $34
  • 3 Perfect Days in Atacama + Transfer: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Flores or San Pedro de Atacama?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Flores $13
    San Pedro de Atacama $14

Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Empanadas
    $1.26
  • Lunch
    $10
  • Dinner
    $11
  • Drink
    $0.94
  • Empanada
    $5.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Flores $20
    San Pedro de Atacama $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Tikal Entrance (for 2)
    $39
  • Map of Tikal
    $3.22

Tours and Activities in Flores

For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
  • 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
  • Admire The Sunrise In Tikal - Private Tour From Flores: $214
  • Awaken to Tikals' Sunrise Exclusive Tour: $199
  • Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
  • Enjoy The Sunset On Top Of A Mayan Pyramid In Yaxha - Private Tour From Flores: $199
  • 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
  • From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
  • From 2-Day Tikal & Yaxhá Tour: $299
  • From Blue Crater private day tour: $160
  • From El Pucte Blue Crater Private Day Tour: $200
  • From Exclusive Tikal Group Tour: $77

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Sand Boarding
    $56

Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moon Valley Tour, the Best Seller: $49
  • 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
  • 23km downhill bike tour + trekking among giant cacti: $70
  • 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $189
  • 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $190
  • 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $210
  • 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $240
  • 4 Tours to Discover Atacama (3 days): $219
  • ASTRONOMIC TOUR: $54
  • Archaeological Experience in Atacama Tulor and Quitor: $146
  • Astronomic Tour Experience from San Pedro de Atacama: $59
  • Astronomical Experience with Astrophotography in Atacama: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Flores $21
    San Pedro de Atacama $4.94
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:


  • Two Margaritas
    $2.57

Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:


  • Alcohol
    $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Flores and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that San Pedro de Atacama is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Flores is in Central America and San Pedro de Atacama is in South 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 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 San Pedro de Atacama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro de Atacama than you might in Flores.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Flores Expensive? and Is San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Flores or San Pedro de Atacama?

Flores has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Flores and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.