Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio 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 Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Antigua Guatemala?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
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 Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, and The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Antigua Guatemala $63
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, 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 Ignacio and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Antigua Guatemala $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Antigua Guatemala
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Antigua Guatemala $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Guatemala City: One-way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $20
- Guatemala: Antigua and Lago Atitlan Shuttle Transfer: $25
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $27
- Transfer Guatemala City to Aurora to Antigua Guatemala: $130
- Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $30
- Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $80
- Transfer from La Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico (One Way): $260
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Antigua Guatemala?
Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and San Ignacio 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 Ignacio $21Antigua Guatemala $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
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$3.22
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Lunch$7.72
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:
- Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
- Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Foodie & street food tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
- From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $110
- Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Antigua Guatemala $15
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Excursions in Cayo with Waterfalls Experience: $174
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio : $120
- Actun Tunichil Muknal with Local Tour guide & Belizean Lunch: $120
- Barton Creek Tour: $98
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $125
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
- Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San Ignacio: $144
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Deluxe Cave Tubing combo Adventure: $125
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala : $20
- Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $20
- La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $20
- Express tour in Antigua: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Walking Tour of the Wonders of La Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Antigua Walking Tour: $23
- Antigua Walking Tour Morning and Afternoon: $25
- Colonial Antigua Afternoon Walking Tour: $25
- Antigua Market Culture and Cuisine Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Antigua 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:
- Macadamia Chocolate and Wine Tour on ATV or UTV: $85
When comparing the travel costs between San Ignacio and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Antigua Guatemala?
Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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.