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

Should you visit Veracruz or Antigua Guatemala?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Antigua Guatemala can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Antigua Guatemala?

Veracruz

Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, 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 Veracruz?

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

  • Veracruz Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Antigua Guatemala Prices
    Guatemala Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Veracruz $143
    Antigua Guatemala $74

The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $143, 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 Veracruz and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Veracruz $49
    Antigua Guatemala $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Veracruz $98
    Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Antigua Guatemala

Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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 Veracruz


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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Veracruz $26
    Antigua Guatemala $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz

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

  • Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $42
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $37
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
  • Private Transfer from Veracruz Airport (VER): $18
  • Private Transfer to Veracruz Airport (VER): $18

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Antigua Guatemala?

Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Veracruz 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
    Veracruz $78
    Antigua Guatemala $25

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.
    Veracruz $13
    Antigua Guatemala $15

Tours and Activities in Veracruz

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

  • 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $127
  • 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $23
  • Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $105
  • Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $25
  • Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $105
  • City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
  • Full Day Coffee Guided Tour in Coatepec: $98
  • Full Day Tour to Alvarado and Tlacotalpan from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $92
  • Full Day Tour to Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas with Transportation: $92
  • Full Day Tour to La Antigua, Cempoala and Quiahuiztlán: $87
  • Full-Day Tour to El Tajin and Vanilla Factory from Veracruz: $138
  • Jalcomulco Rapids Adventure from Veracruz or Boca del Río: $141

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
    Veracruz $16
    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 Veracruz and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Veracruz is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz is in North America 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Antigua Guatemala?

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