Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Guadalajara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Guadalajara? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Guadalajara?
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $81Guadalajara $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $81, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $117. 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 Acapulco de Juarez and Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $39Guadalajara $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $78Guadalajara $84
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Guadalajara? 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: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16Guadalajara $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
- Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
- Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
- Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
- Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
- Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels: $119
- Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer: $229
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $98
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Tequila - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels: $173
- Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $98
- Airport to City Transfer: $156
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Guadalajara, Chalapa & Tequila Hotels: $63
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port: $76
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara to Morelia: $224
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara and Acapulco de Juarez 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 dayAcapulco de Juarez $29Guadalajara $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
- Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $72
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
- Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
- Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
- Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara
For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guadalajara private food tour: $70
- Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $114
- Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $18Guadalajara $28
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6Hr Walking Tour San Diego Fort Museum Cliff Divers Zocalo: $68
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
- 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $62
- 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
- 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
- 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $51
- 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
- 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
- Acapulco City Tour: $56
- Acapulco City Tour : $35
- Acapulco Historical & Cultural Tour : $66
- Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- Guadalajara Unique Highlights Walking Tour: $10
- KidZania Entrance Ticket: $12
- 10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara: $12
- Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Guadalajara in French: $15
- Downtown Mexico City: App guided tacos and market tour: $18
- Guadalajara City Tour: $20
- Great Experience With A Tour Guide With Spark: $21
- ticket to Michin Aquarium: $28
- Private Guadalajara City Tour Within Your Budget: $31
- Culture, Architecture, and Market Walking Tour: $33
- Private Tour with a Local Guide in Guadalajara: $34
- Guadalajara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $11Guadalajara $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Cultural tour, city fields and distillery: $32
- Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour: $58
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $77
- full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $85
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $180
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to Distillery Tequila Ocho and Arandas : $200
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $216
- Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas: $216
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Guadalajara, 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.