Which place is cheaper, Tilcara or Antigua Guatemala?
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 Antigua Guatemala or Tilcara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Tilcara, 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: Antigua Guatemala or Tilcara?
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.
Tilcara
Tilcara signifies shooting star in Quechua. At 2465m of altitude, the little town of Tilcara is one of the most animated place of the area of the quebrada de humahuaca. Many South American backpackers and tourists from all around the world come to visit Tilcara and its pucara, the forteresse built by the Incas at the top of the hill, providing a stunning walk around the town. Tilcara hosts many festivals for different occasions such as the celebration of the Pachamama in August, the semana santa (Holy Week) in April, and the Enero Tilcareno, held in January as its name indicates, which is probably the busiest month of the year for the little town. If you enjoy concerts, parades and folklorique parties then definitely try to visit Tilcara during a festival month and avoid them if you prefer a calm and more relaxed holiday. There are many available activities around Tilcara including horseback riding, VTT, and you could also even try a ride in a caravan pulled by llamas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Camping Tours in Argentina.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesTilcara Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Tilcara $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Tilcara is $78. 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 Antigua Guatemala and Tilcara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Tilcara $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Tilcara $126
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Tilcara
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Tilcara? 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 and Tilcara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $12Tilcara $3.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $185
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $90
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel Atitlan: $66
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $65
- Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $27
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tilcara
Also for Tilcara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Solar Train of the Quebrada de Humahuaca: Ticket and Transfer: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Tilcara?
Prices for flights to both Tilcara and Antigua Guatemala 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 dayAntigua Guatemala $25Tilcara $7.41
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$3.26
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Lunch$7.82
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:
- Taste of Guatemala,Walking Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala : $50
- Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $80
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Private Pacaya Volcano Hike & Optional Pizza Experience: $85
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Foodie & Street Food Tour in Antigua: $95
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
- The Culinary Antigua Food Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Tilcara $22
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 - Days : Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $130
- 2 Day Tour: Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan from Antigua: $150
- 2-Day Antigua Tour 1 Night at Acatenango Volcano: $87
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $78
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
- ATV Cultural & Adventure Tour: Antigua Villages Experience: $95
- ATV Tour of the Magic Towns of Antigua: $65
- ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $75
- Acatenango 2 Days Camping Adventure: $128
- Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $129
Tours and Activities in Tilcara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tilcara.
- From Salta: Tour to Humahuaca + Hornocal "Route of Colors and Heights": $128
- 2 hours cycling tour trough the rural area: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $11Tilcara $4.87
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 comparing the travel costs between Antigua Guatemala and Tilcara, we can see that Tilcara is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Antigua Guatemala is in Central America and Tilcara is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive? and Is Tilcara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Tilcara?
Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Tilcara. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Tilcara, 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.