Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or San Fernando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Fernando or Antigua Guatemala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando or Antigua Guatemala, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Fernando or Antigua Guatemala?
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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 Budget Tours to Guatemala, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Guatemala.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Fernando $153Antigua Guatemala $63
The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $153, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $63. 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 San Fernando and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Fernando $73Antigua Guatemala $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Fernando $146Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and Antigua Guatemala
Looking for a hotel in San Fernando 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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Fernando $50Antigua Guatemala $12
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
- Panajachel: One way private transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $214
- One way private transfer to Panajachel: $214
- Transfer Guatemala City to Aurora to Antigua Guatemala: $130
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
- From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $75
- One way private transfer to GuatemalaCity: $74
- One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce: $59
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $54
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $45
- From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- One way shared transfer to Panajachel: $31
Is it cheaper to fly into San Fernando or Antigua Guatemala?
Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and San Fernando 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Fernando $48Antigua Guatemala $14
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.23
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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: $50
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
- 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
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
- From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $120
- Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Fernando $28Antigua Guatemala $15
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 Day Tour: Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan from Antigua: $150
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $295
- 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $125
- 2-Day Tour of Lake Atitlan & Chichicastenango Market: $220
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $65
- 4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour / Summit & Sunrise: $400
- ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Shared Antigua Villages Experience: $90
- ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $100
- Acatenango Volcano Experience for 2 Days and 1 Night: $72
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hiking from Antigua - 2 Days Private Tour: $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Fernando $22Antigua 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:
- Antigua Bar Crawl: $26
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Fernando and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands 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 San Fernando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Antigua Guatemala?
San Fernando has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.