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.
Jump to 
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 Budget Tours to Guatemala, The Best Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City.
-
San Pedro La Laguna Prices
Guatemala PricesAntigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro La Laguna $44Antigua Guatemala $73
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro La Laguna is $44, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $73. 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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro La Laguna $8.24Antigua Guatemala $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro La Laguna $16Antigua 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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $13Antigua Guatemala $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro La Laguna
Also for San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer From Panajachel Atitlan to Antigua: $27
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 Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $27
- Private transfer from the Airport to Antigua: $70
- Private transfer from Antigua to the La Aurora Airport.: $72
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $80
- Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $50
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
- Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25
- Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $25
- From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $25
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
-
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:
-
Lemonade$2.06
-
Cake$1.29
-
Ice cream$0.39
-
Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread$2.96
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: $44
- Maya Cooking Class from Panajachel: $50
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
-
Lunch$3.22
-
Lunch$7.73
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: $58
- Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
- Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $75
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $80
- 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
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $90
Entertainment
-
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:
-
Canopy Tour (for 2)$39
-
Kayaking (for 2)$1.93
-
Coffee Tour (for 2)$6.95
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:
- Lake Atitlan Boat tour from Puerto Quetzal (Group): $125
- 5-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in San Juan La Laguna: $50
- Authentic Art and Culture Tour in San Juan La Laguna: $35
- Authentic local experience with a community of women: $72
- 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: $112
- Biking tour through the towns of Santa Catarina and San Antonio: $46
- Boat tour in Mayan villages: $85
- Chichicastenango Market Day Tour from Panajachel: $83
- Coffee Tour in Lake Atitlán: $36
- Day of the Dead Giant Kite Festival Cultural Experience: $35
- Discover the Villages of Lake Atitlan Private Boat Tour: $255
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 Antigua Tour 1 Night at Acatenango Volcano: $87
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $130
- 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $145
- 2-day tour from Antigua 1 night in Acatenango Volcano: $92
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $160
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $75
- 4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour & Fuego / All Inclusive !: $320
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
- ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Shared Antigua Villages Experience: $95
- Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $129
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro La Laguna $5.58Antigua 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 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.