Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or San Pedro La Laguna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Pedro La Laguna or Antigua Guatemala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Pedro La Laguna or Antigua Guatemala? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: San Pedro La Laguna or Antigua Guatemala?
San Pedro La Laguna
Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers. Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.
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 Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Guatemala, and The Best Budget Tours to Guatemala.
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San Pedro La Laguna Prices
Guatemala PricesAntigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro La Laguna $45Antigua Guatemala $74
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro La Laguna is $45, 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 San Pedro La Laguna and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro La Laguna $8.37Antigua Guatemala $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro La Laguna $17Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in San Pedro La Laguna and Antigua Guatemala
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $13Antigua Guatemala $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro La Laguna
Also for San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Lake Atitlán to Guatemala Airport (GUA): $96
- Private transfer from Panajachel to Airport or Capital city: $78
- Private transfer from Panajachel to Antigua Guatemala: $75
- Private Transfer Lake Atitlán to Antigua Guatemala (One Way): $74
- Shared Transfer from Panajachel Atitlan to Guatemala City: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
- Shared transfer from Guatemala city Airport to Panajachel: $44
- Private transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $90
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Antigua: $90
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $77
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Santa Catarina Palopó: $88
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $75
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Airport: $27
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel Atitlan: $70
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $30
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Semuc Champey or Coban: $182
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico Beach: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro La Laguna or Antigua Guatemala?
Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna $19Antigua Guatemala $25
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lemonade$2.09
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Cake$1.31
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Ice cream$0.39
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Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread$3.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience: $60
- Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $66
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$3.27
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Lunch$7.85
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 Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan: $38
- Cooking and pastry class in Casa San Miguel: $38
- Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
- Antigua: Traditional cooking lesson with a Guatemalan family: $48
- Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $60
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
- Cooking Classes and Jade Workshops: $75
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $75
- Cooking Class With Local Family: $84
- Antigua Local: Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $22Antigua Guatemala $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro La Laguna's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Canopy Tour (for 2)$39
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Kayaking (for 2)$1.96
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Coffee Tour (for 2)$7.07
Tours and Activities in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in San Juan La Laguna: $50
- Authentic local experience with a community of women: $73
- Authentic tour of Mayan art and culture in Lake Atitlan: $50
- Beading Class and tour a Non-profit vocational training center a Fun cultural sharing experience: $28
- Bicycle Tour Around Lake Atitlan with Weaving Coops and Coffee Plantations: $118
- Chichicastenango Market Day Tour from Panajachel: $120
- Coffee Walk Tour in San Juan La Laguna: $35
- Coffee, Chocolate and Textile Tour in Lake Atitlan: $35
- Full Day Tour to Chichicastenango from Panajachel: $160
- Half-Day Private Indian Nose Peak Tour from Lake Atitlan: $140
- Half-Day Scenic Bicycle Tour from Panajachel: $71
- Horseback Riding Tour in San Pedro La Laguna: $67
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, 1-Night Tour of Volcano Acatenango from Antigua: $92
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $220
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $170
- 4 Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $35
- 4-Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $25
- 4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour & Fuego / All Inclusive !: $400
- 4WD experience to Acatenango Volcano/Fuego Volcano from Antigua: $333
- 4x4 tour from Antigua with a night camp in front of the Fuego volcano: $1,300
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro La Laguna $5.68Antigua Guatemala $12
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 Pedro La Laguna and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro La Laguna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro La Laguna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro La Laguna 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 Antigua Guatemala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antigua Guatemala than you might in San Pedro La Laguna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro La Laguna Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro La Laguna or Antigua Guatemala?
Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Pedro La Laguna. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro La Laguna 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.