Which place is cheaper, Roatan or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Ignacio or Roatan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio or Roatan, 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 Roatan?
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!
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
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.
-
San Ignacio Prices
Belize PricesRoatan Prices
Honduras Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $86Roatan $42
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $86, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Roatan $10
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio or Roatan? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.10Roatan $17
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
- Belize: Airport to San Ignacio Town Transfer: $75
- Transfer from San Ignacio to Belize Water Taxi -San Pedro Express: $160
- Transfer from Belize Airport to San Ignacio: $210
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
-
Water Taxi$3.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Airport, Hotel or Cruise Port, Ferry Roatan Private Transfer: $35
- Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
- Ground transfers and ticket ferry to Utila or La Ceiba: $80
- Honduras Airport(RTB) to Roatan -Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $80
- Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $155
- Roatan Airport Private Shuttle – Island Transfers: $65
- Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $199
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $95
- Roatan West End Beach Break with Private Transfer: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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
-
Food Meals for one daySan Ignacio $36Roatan $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Maya Fish Cooking Experience: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $300
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Roatan $25
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tea Tasting Medicinal Tour: $25
- Night Hike Tour: Critters of the Night: $28
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $70
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $85
- Tikal SUNSET, Archeological focus and Wildlife Spotting Tour (South and East): $91
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $95
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $95
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $95
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $95
- Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio: $95
- LOST WORLD CEREMONIAL CAVE- Exciting Adventure at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch: $98
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $100
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Organized trips and adventures: $26
- Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
- Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
- Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $45
- Roatan Beach and Tour: $45
- 1 Stop Snorkel Adventure with Beach Break: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- Private Customize Roatán Island Tour chocolate Rum local guide: $48
- Roatan VIP Free-Style Private Tour: $49
- Extreme Zip Line Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $49
- Roatan : Private Customizeble Tour with Driver & Guide: $50
- Cruise Travelers West Bay Beach Break with Island Tour in Roatan: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Roatan $6.49
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
- Roatan ATV Adventure, Island Tour and Craft Brewery Experience: $99
- Roatan Horseback Ride, Island Tour and Brewery Tasting: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Roatan, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Ignacio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Ignacio than you might in Roatan.
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 Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Roatan?
San Ignacio has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio and Roatan, 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.