A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Antigua Guatemala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Antigua Guatemala?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Antigua Guatemala can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Antigua Guatemala?

Zanzibar

Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.

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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, 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 Zanzibar and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Antigua Guatemala $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Antigua Guatemala

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Antigua Guatemala


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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Antigua Guatemala $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Luxury Zanzibar Airport Transfer in Range Rover Sport: $300
  • Zanzibar Must-see Sights with Lunch and Transfers: $249
  • Safari Blue Zanzibar - Seafood Lunch, Sandbank & Hotel Transfer: $145
  • Taxi Transfer To The Rock Restaurant - safe and reliable: $140
  • Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $121
  • Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
  • Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $95
  • Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kizimkazi: $95
  • Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $90
  • Zanzibar Ferry Terminal Arrival Transfers.: $90
  • Airport Transfer: $90
  • Dolphin Snorkeling and Pungume Island with Lunch and Transfer: $89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $79
  • One-Way Shared Van Transfer to Panajachel: $25
  • Antigua: One way private transfer to Guatemala City: $69
  • Antigua: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
  • Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
  • Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $30
  • From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
  • From Antigua: One way private transfer to Panajachel: $194
  • From Antigua: Transfer to Guatemala City: $85
  • From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $25
  • Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $30
  • Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Antigua Guatemala?

Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Zanzibar 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 day
    Zanzibar $28
    Antigua Guatemala $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.

  • Zanzi Nights Stone Town Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $45
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
  • Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class and Spice Farm: $59
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Cooking Class Tour: $75
  • Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
  • Zanzibar Spice and Night Market Cooking and Street Food Tour: $80
  • 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $97
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107

Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:


  • Lunch
    $3.28
  • Lunch
    $7.87

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: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
  • Antigua Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan: $38
  • Antigua: Traditional cooking lesson with a Guatemalan family: $48
  • Pepián Plates Antigua Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $59
  • Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $60
  • Antigua Street Food Tour: $65
  • Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
  • Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
  • Cooking Classes and Jade Workshops: $75
  • Guatemalan Mayan Cooking Workshop: $75
  • Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
  • Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Antigua Guatemala $15

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
  • 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
  • 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
  • 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
  • 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
  • 8 Days Zanzibar Discovery Adventure: $220
  • A Full Day Safari Blue Tour And Blue Lagoon: $140
  • A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
  • A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
  • A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
  • A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
  • A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.

  • Antigua Guatemala Historic Center Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Signature Lattes Tasting Experience in Antigua for Coffee Lovers: $14
  • Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala: $20
  • Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
  • Express tour in Antigua: $20
  • Guided City Tour with Chef David Farfan: $20
  • Cultural and Fun Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $22
  • Walking Tour with Local Guide: $23
  • From Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Tour in English/Spanish: $23
  • Guided Walking Tour with Coffee: $24
  • Antigua Walking Tour: $24
  • Colonial Antigua Afternoon Walking Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.76
    Antigua 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 Zanzibar and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Antigua Guatemala is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Antigua Guatemala?

Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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.