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

Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Antigua Guatemala?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Antigua Guatemala, 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: Surfers Paradise or Antigua Guatemala?

Surfers Paradise

A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.

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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, and The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Surfers Paradise?

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

  • Surfers Paradise Prices
    Australia Prices
    Antigua Guatemala Prices
    Guatemala Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Surfers Paradise $124
    Antigua Guatemala $74

The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $124, 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 Surfers Paradise and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surfers Paradise $67
    Antigua Guatemala $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surfers Paradise $134
    Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Antigua Guatemala

Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise


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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $11
    Antigua Guatemala $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise

Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $121
  • One Way Luxury Transfer to Gold Coast Theme Parks : $95
  • Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $91
  • Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

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

  • Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $27
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $90
  • Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $185
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel: $65
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25
  • Private Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel Atitlan: $66
  • Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Antigua Guatemala?

Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Surfers Paradise 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
    Surfers Paradise $45
    Antigua Guatemala $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85

Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

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


  • Lunch
    $3.26
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $24
    Antigua Guatemala $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surf Lesson
    $79

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Hour Gold Coast Jet Boat Adventure Ride: $57
  • Catamaran Gold Coast Sunset Shared Cruise: $53
  • Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $63
  • Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Tour from Gold Coast: $80
  • Glow Worms + Day/Night Rainforest & Waterfalls Experience: $133
  • Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
  • Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
  • Gold Coast: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Day Tour: $120
  • HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
  • Immersive Bar Experience and Drinks : $33
  • Immersive Ice Bar Experience and Drinks: $33

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surfers Paradise $11
    Antigua 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 Surfers Paradise and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Surfers Paradise is in Pacific 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 Antigua Guatemala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antigua Guatemala 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise than you might in Antigua Guatemala.

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


Which is Bigger, Surfers Paradise or Antigua Guatemala?

Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Surfers Paradise 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.