Should I Visit Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

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

Should I visit Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Guatemala City

Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.

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 The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Guatemala, and The Best 3-Day Tours in Guatemala.

Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Guatemala City?

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

Guatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices

Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Guatemala City $55

Antigua Guatemala $73

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $55, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $73. 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 Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Guatemala City $24

Antigua Guatemala $22
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Guatemala City $48

Antigua Guatemala $44

Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City 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.

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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Guatemala City $6.19

Antigua Guatemala $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

Private Transfer - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $263
Guatemala City Airport GUA to San Felipe de Lara-Arrival Transfer: $237
Private transfer - San Pedro la Laguna to Guatemala City: $200
Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
Private Ground Transfer Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $95
Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $80
Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan : $67
Private transfer from La Aurora Airport to Panajachel: $65
One way private transfer to Antigua: $64
From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

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

Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $25
From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $25
One-Way Shared Van Transfer to Panajachel: $25
Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $25
Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25
Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $27
Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $30
From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Guatemala City 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

Guatemala City $27

Antigua Guatemala $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

Cooking and class with Private Guatemalan Chef : $25
Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $90
Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180
Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188

Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

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

Lunch

$3.23
Lunch

$7.75

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:

Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Experience with Locals: $55
Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $80
Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
Antigua: Private Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $90
Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Guatemala City $1.21

Antigua Guatemala $15

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
3 Days Tour in Acatenango Volcano: $240
3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
3-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South: $60
4-hour Bike Tour Guatemala City South Center: $70
Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $199
Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $77
Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $58
Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City : $90
Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City : $175
Chichicastenango - Panajachel collective tour: $150

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

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

Guided Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $22
From Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Tour in English/Spanish: $22
Antigua Walking Tour: $23
Walking Tour of the Wonders of La Antigua Guatemala: $25
City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $25
Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua Guatemala: $25
Antigua Walking Tour Morning and Afternoon: $25
La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $25
Cultural and fun tour in Antigua Guatemala: $25
Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, cultural.: $25
Chocolate workshop; gastronomic experience of cocoa.: $28
Antigua Cultural Walking Tour: $28

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Guatemala City $6.86

Antigua Guatemala $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:

Artisanal Honey Cheese and Wine Tasting and Tour: $135

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guatemala City Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Guatemala City 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.

A Travel Price Comparison for Guatemala Guatemala City vs. Antigua Guatemala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

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

Where Should I go: Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Guatemala City

Antigua Guatemala

Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Guatemala City?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala

Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Related Articles for Guatemala City

Related Articles for Antigua Guatemala

A Travel Price Comparison for Guatemala Guatemala City vs. Antigua Guatemala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

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

Where Should I go: Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Guatemala City

Antigua Guatemala

Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Guatemala City?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala

Which is Bigger, Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala?

Related Articles for Guatemala City

Related Articles for Antigua Guatemala

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