A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Quito for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Quito?

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

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Quito? 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 Quito?

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.

Quito

Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.

Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.

Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.

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 Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Quito or Acapulco de Juarez?

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

  • Acapulco de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
    Quito Prices
    Ecuador Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Acapulco de Juarez $82
    Quito $66

The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $82, while the average daily cost in Quito is $66. 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 Quito in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Acapulco de Juarez $32
    Quito $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Acapulco de Juarez $64
    Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Quito

Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Quito? 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 Acapulco de Juarez


Hotels in Quito


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 Quito Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Acapulco de Juarez $13
    Quito $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:

  • Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
  • 1st Day Airport Transfer On 2nd Day 6Hr All The Attractions Combo: $109
  • Acapulco Airport (ACA) Private Transfer to Acapulco City: $43
  • Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Acapulco Airport Roundtrip Transfers: $65
  • Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $46
  • Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $63
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $40
  • Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $11
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Acapulco Airport (ACA) -Bahía de Acapulco: $20
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Bahía de Acapulco - Acapulco Airport (ACA): $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:


  • Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:

  • Private Transfer Out From Quito to International Airport Mariscal Sucre: $60
  • Airport Transfer in Quito: $20
  • Express Transfer: Mariscal Sucre Airport to Quito: $34
  • From Mindo Cloud Forest Day Trip with Transfer: $119
  • From Quilotoa Lake Private Tour with Transfer & Lunch: $169
  • Private Departure Transfer from Quito to the Airport - One Way: $21
  • Private Transfer Quito Airport To Quito City/hotel : $57
  • Private Transfer from Quito Airport : $30
  • Private Transfer from or to Quito Airport (one way): $20
  • Private Transfer to Quito airport and hotel : $35
  • Private Transfers Quito to Tena: $65
  • Private Transpor for tours, transfers, visits, etc, for 8 hours: $165

Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Quito?

Prices for flights to both Quito 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Acapulco de Juarez $40
    Quito $34

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 Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $55
  • High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner + Two Drinks plus SUNSET: $66
  • Lucha Libre-Wrestling FiestaExper Taco Dinner Beer ONLY SUNDAYS: $72
  • Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only On SUNDAY: $74
  • Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
  • Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
  • Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
  • Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $253
  • Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $286

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.

  • Old Town Highlights & Food Tour: $29
  • 3 Hours Local Food Tour in Quito: $39
  • Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
  • Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
  • Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation: $88
  • Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Class with a chef and Local Market: $89
  • Tour Quito with Cooking Class with Professional Chef: $95
  • Afternoon Coffee in Quito - Foodie Tour with empanada cooking class: $110
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Classes in Quito at the Terrace: $120
  • Premium Cooking Class Quito Tour: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Acapulco de Juarez $15
    Quito $16

Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez

Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $23
  • Acapulco Shopping tour: $40
  • Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
  • Different Faces Of Acapulco Tour: $55
  • 4hr Fun Guide Tour For Cruisers or Hotels Guests with Divers Show: $58
  • 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $60
  • Tour Isla de la Roqueta Stand up paddle Acapulco: $60
  • Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $61
  • 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $67
  • Coyuca Lagoon Adventure: $68
  • Acapulco City Tour: $68
  • Historic Tour of Acapulco: $70

Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito

Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two
    $8.00

Tours and Activities in Quito

Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour: $15
  • Night Tour in Quito with free time at La Ronda Street: $15
  • Mitad del Mundo daily tour with 3 stops and local guide: $20
  • Middle of the World Tour with Tickets: $25
  • Quito Walking Experience Tour with Activities: $25
  • Quito : Must-see Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $28
  • Shared Quito City Tour: $28
  • Explore Old Town Sightseeing, Food, Culture Small Group Walking Tour: $29
  • Walking Tour Quito: $30
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Basilica Church Visit: $30
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $31
  • Quito : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Acapulco de Juarez $8.73
    Quito $17

Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:


  • Beers for Two
    $9.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Quito

Also in Quito, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half-day tour to high altitude vineyards and wine tasting: $45
  • Ecuador Spirit Craft Brewery Tasting and Latitude 0 Private Tour: $130


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Quito, we can see that Acapulco de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and Quito is in South 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 Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Acapulco de Juarez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Acapulco de Juarez than you might in Quito.

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 Quito Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Quito?

Quito has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Quito, 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.