Comparison · Antigua vs Cusco · Guatemala / Peru
Antigua vs Cusco
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Juan Francisco, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Antigua for Colonial ruins, Santa Catalina Arch and a short break; choose Cusco for Machu Picchu and Inca stonework. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 3,744 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 3,744 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Antigua
- November–March
- Best time for Cusco
- May–September
Side by side
| Antigua | Cusco | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Guatemala | Peru |
| Known for | Colonial ruins, Santa Catalina Arch and Volcano views | Machu Picchu, Inca stonework and Sacred Valley |
| Best time to visit | November–March | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $80–$150 | $80–$160 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 27°C (81°F) | September, 21°C (70°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 23°C (73°F) | January, 19°C (66°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | GUA | CUZ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Antigua for…
Colonial ruins, Santa Catalina Arch and a short break. Antigua was the capital of Spain's Kingdom of Guatemala until the 1773 Santa Marta earthquakes, and its grid of cobbled streets still holds dozens of baroque churches, convents and ruins. The town sits at about 1,500 metres in a valley ringed by the Agua…
Choose Cusco for…
Machu Picchu and Inca stonework. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and its Spanish colonial churches and mansions still sit on top of finely fitted Inca stonework. At about 3,400 metres, the UNESCO-listed city is the base for the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, about…
Top sights compared
| # | Antigua | Cusco |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parque Central | Plaza de Armas |
| 2 | Antigua Cathedral | Cusco Cathedral |
| 3 | Santa Catalina Arch | Qorikancha and Santo Domingo |
| 4 | Iglesia de La Merced | Sacsayhuamán |
| 5 | Cerro de la Cruz | Hatun Rumiyoc and the Twelve-Angled Stone |
Food compared
| Antigua | Cusco |
|---|---|
| Pepián | Cuy al horno |
| Jocón | Alpaca |
| Kak'ik | Chiri uchu |
| Desayuno chapín | Rocoto relleno |
Which is cheaper?
Antigua and Cusco cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $80–$150 in Antigua and $80–$160 in Cusco (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Antigua on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 3,744 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Antigua or Cusco cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $80–$150 in Antigua and $80–$160 in Cusco (estimates).
+Is Antigua or Cusco better for a first trip?
Pick Antigua for Colonial ruins, Santa Catalina Arch and a short break, or Cusco for Machu Picchu and Inca stonework.
+How far is Antigua from Cusco?
About 3,744 km in a straight line.