A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ho Chi Minh City vs. Antigua Guatemala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City and Antigua Guatemala can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Antigua Guatemala?

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.

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 Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, 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 Ho Chi Minh City?

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

  • Ho Chi Minh City Prices
    Vietnam Prices
    Antigua Guatemala Prices
    Guatemala Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ho Chi Minh City $87
    Antigua Guatemala $74

The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $87, 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 Ho Chi Minh City and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ho Chi Minh City $48
    Antigua Guatemala $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ho Chi Minh City $96
    Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Antigua Guatemala

Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh 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.

Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City


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: Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ho Chi Minh City $15
    Antigua Guatemala $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.33
  • Taxi From Airport
    $7.60
  • Cyclo Ride (One Hour)
    $1.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City

Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City: $358
  • Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Ha Tien Pier: $247
  • Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Soc Trang: $214
  • Private Car Transfer Phong Nha to Hue (stops at Vinh Moc and DMZ): $200
  • Golden Bridge, Marble mount, guide, lunch, transfer from Cruises: $199
  • Private Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City Center to Mui Ne: $196
  • Private Transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne & Vice versa: $193
  • Private Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City/SGN Airport To Phnom Penh: $190
  • Mui Ne: Private Transfer to/from Ho Chi Minh Airport: $182
  • Private Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City Center to Can Tho City Center: $175
  • #1 Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh / SGN Airport : Private Luxury Transfer: $145
  • Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Mui Ne - Arrival Private Transfer: $141

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 Lake Atitlan: $250
  • Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Semuc Champey or Coban: $182
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Santa Catarina Palopó: $88
  • Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico Beach: $85
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $75
  • Private Transfer One Way Antigua Guatemala to El Paredon Beach: $75
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $70
  • Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $60
  • Private Transfers in Guatemala: $39
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $32
  • Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $30
  • Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Antigua Guatemala?

Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Ho Chi Minh 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
    Ho Chi Minh City $23
    Antigua Guatemala $25
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:


  • Street Food Dinner (for Two)
    $4.07
  • Pizza
    $4.94
  • Sweet Rice
    $1.14
  • Pork Sandwich
    $0.57
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $6.45
  • Western Lunch (for Two)
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City

For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $1.87
  • 1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor: $15
  • Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $16
  • HCM:Mekong Delta Boat,Khotcake cooking Coconut Village,SmallGroup: $16
  • Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student: $20
  • Ho Chi Minh city Walking Chinatown / HCM city walking food tour: $25
  • Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Sightseeing By Motorbike: $26
  • Saigon Evening Street Food Tour with 6 Dishes: $27
  • Unique Mekong Delta 1 Day with Cooking Class & Cycling MAX 12 PAX: $29
  • Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $29
  • Michelin-Recognized Food Tour with Local Expert: $29
  • Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike (Unique & Authentic): $29

Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

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


  • Lunch
    $3.28
  • Lunch
    $7.87

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:

  • Cooking and pastry class in Casa San Miguel: $38
  • Cooking class and market tour/Pepian Workshop: $50
  • Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $62
  • Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
  • Cooking Class With Local Family: $70
  • Cooking Classes and Jade Workshops: $75
  • Guatemalan Mayan Cooking Workshop: $75
  • Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
  • Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $80
  • Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ho Chi Minh City $19
    Antigua Guatemala $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City

For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Massage
    $5.32

Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.

  • 'Cost-Saving' Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta 1-Day Tour: $59
  • 1 Day Small Group Tour in Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta: $89
  • 1 Hour Saigon River Tour in Ho Chi Minh: $13
  • 1-Day Tour of Black Virgin Mountain - Cao Dai Temple - Cu Chi Tunnels from HCMC: $62
  • 1-day Ho Chi Minh city and Cu Chi tunnels group tour: $46
  • 1-day Mekong Delta Tour: Cai Be Market, Local Island and Cycling: $125
  • 2 Day Mekong Delta Adventure and Floating Market Tour: $99
  • 2 Days 1 Night Mekong Delta Tour: $141
  • 2 Days La Pandora Cruise Explore Halong and Lan Ha Bay: $270
  • 2 Days Melkong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market Overnight Tour: $115
  • 2 Days Tour in Cat Tien National Park: $245
  • 2 Days of Stunning Views and Adventure in Ta Dung Lake Escape: $243

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: $150
  • 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
  • 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $170
  • 4 Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $35
  • ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
  • ATV Off Road Adventure at Pacaya Volcano from Antigua: $99
  • ATV Tour of the Pacaya Volcano Lava Fields: $150
  • ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $75
  • ATV tour of picturesque villages around Antigua: $60
  • Acatenango Experience in 4x4: $300
  • Acatenango Hike: Glamping Experience from Antigua: $230

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ho Chi Minh City $7.59
    Antigua Guatemala $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:


  • Beer
    $0.38

Sample the Local Flavors in Ho Chi Minh City

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ho Chi Minh City:

  • Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $29

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


Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Antigua Guatemala?

Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh 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.