Which place is cheaper, Copan or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Copan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio or Copan, 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 Copan?
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!
Copan
If you are a lover of history, or just really want to tap into your inner Indiana Jones, a trip to Copan, Honduras is right up your alley. Located in western Honduras, the cobblestone lined streets and white adobe buildings topped with red roofs provide the beautiful backdrop to this once powerful city.
Occupied by the Maya for 2,000 years, Copan was the ruling city in the southern Mayan kingdom. Settled nicely in a fertile river valley among rolling hills, this city is absolutely fascinating and the perfect place to explore history.
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 Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Copan $90
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, while the average daily cost in Copan is $90. 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 Copan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Copan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Copan $46
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Copan
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio or Copan? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Copan $78
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
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Copan?
Prices for flights to both Copan 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 $21Copan $21
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Copan $25
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
- Barton Creek Tour: $98
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Copan $7.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Copan, we can see that Copan is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 Copan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Copan than you might in San Ignacio.
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 Copan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Copan?
San Ignacio has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Copan. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio and Copan, 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.