Home › Antigua Guatemala › On a budget
Antigua Guatemala on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, easily: hostels, comedors and many free sights make Antigua a good budget base. A realistic minimum is about Q310 a day per person sharing a room — around Q120 for a bed, Q120 for food, Q50 for sights and Q20 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Q120 | Q350 | Q1,000 |
| Food & drink | Q120 | Q250 | Q500 |
| Sights & tickets | Q50 | Q200 | Q450 |
| Local transport | Q20 | Q60 | Q150 |
| Per person, per day | Q310 | Q860 | Q2,100 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Antigua Guatemala day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Parque Central and the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (outside)
- The Arco de Santa Catalina and the view of Volcán de Agua
- The façade of La Merced church
- The municipal market
- Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint (go with others in the morning)
- Sunday evening food stalls around the La Merced plaza
Cheap eats
- Set lunch at a comedor — about Q30–50
- Market food stalls — about Q25–40
- Desayuno chapín — about Q40–60
- Rellenitos (sweet plantain) from a stall — a few quetzales
- Local coffee — about Q15–25
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels near the market and on 1a Calle, at about Q150–350 for a dorm bed or simple room, within walking distance of the centre and shuttle offices.
Getting around cheaply
Walk the compact centre. Tuk-tuks cost about Q15–30. Shared shuttles from La Aurora airport cost about Q100–150. Chicken buses are the cheapest option for nearby villages, without luggage.
A sample budget day
- Morning: desayuno chapín (about Q45), then the free Santa Catalina Arch and La Merced
- Lunch: market food stall (about Q30)
- Afternoon: Convento de Capuchinas (about Q45)
- Evening: comedor dinner and a coffee (about Q50), tuk-tuk back (about Q20)
- Total: about Q310 including a shared room or hostel (about Q120)
More ways to save
- Travel in the rainy season for lower rates; rain usually falls in the afternoon.
- Take Spanish classes with a homestay for cheap long stays.
- Choose Pacaya over Acatenango if your budget is tight.
- Buy textiles at the market rather than in shops near Parque Central, and compare prices.
- Avoid Semana Santa unless you book months ahead.
- Drink filtered water from refill stations in hostels.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Can you visit Antigua on a budget?
Yes, easily. Hostels, comedors and free sights keep costs to about Q310 a day.
How do I get from Guatemala City airport to Antigua cheaply?
Take a shared shuttle, about Q100–150 per person, in about 1–1.5 hours.
Is Pacaya cheaper than Acatenango?
Yes. A Pacaya tour costs about Q100–200 plus park fee, much less than the Acatenango overnight.