Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Antigua Guatemala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Antigua Guatemala or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala or Guayaquil, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Antigua Guatemala or Guayaquil?
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.
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and seaport. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation gateway to the country and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options. Guayaquil’s main tourist attraction is Las Penas, a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings at the north end of the Malecon, where you can walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries and is relatively safe. Other important sights include the Malecon 2000, a massive urban development project that has brought new life to the riverside in the city center and the Parque Seminario, filled with fountains, trees and iguanas, located at 10 de Agosto Ave and Chile Ave.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesGuayaquil Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Guayaquil $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $116. 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 Antigua Guatemala and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala or Guayaquil? 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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $30
- Private Transfers in Guatemala: $39
- Private Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Airport: $27
- Private Transfer One Way Antigua Guatemala to El Paredon Beach: $75
- Private Transfer From Antigua to Guatemala City / Airport: $30
- Private Transfer From Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $29
- Private Transfer Antigua Guatemala to Monterrico Beach: $85
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $254
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $254
- Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil city hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $231
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca: $104
- Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
- Departure Private Transfer: Guayaquil City to Guayaquil Airport: $48
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $43
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $38
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $20
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $20
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Antigua Guatemala 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 dayAntigua Guatemala $25Guayaquil $50
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.28
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Lunch$7.87
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:
- Cooking and pastry class in Casa San Miguel: $38
- Cooking class and market tour/Pepian Workshop: $50
- Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
- Cooking Class With Local Family: $70
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Guatemalan Mayan Cooking Workshop: $75
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $89
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $90
- Foodie & Street Food Tour in Antigua: $95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day of Cooking and Chocolate at Cocoa Farm from Guayaquil: $175
- Gastronomic workshop tour, live cooking, Learn about the Ecuadorian culinary art: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- 2 - Days : Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $150
- 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
- 3-Hour Chateau Defay Vineyard Tour in Central America: $170
- 4 Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala: $35
- ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $103
- ATV tour of picturesque villages around Antigua: $60
- Acatenango Hike: Overnight Group Adventure from Antigua: $225
- Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $129
- Acatenango Volcano Experience for 2 Days and 1 Night: $79
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Tour: $119
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Tour (2 Days / 1 Night): $90
- Adventure Tour Climbing the Pacaya Volcano with Pickup: $95
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Astonishing Mangroves & Dry forest /Chocolate experience trip: $280
- Choco-Culture City Tour & Cacao Museum: $99
- Churute Mangroves and Birdwatching Tour Guayaquil: $220
- Cocoa and Tropical Fruits Farm with Fine Chocolate Experience: $144
- Excursion Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $158
- Full Day Churute Howler Monkeys and Chocolate Tour: $276
- Full Day Dolphins Mangroves and Birdwatching Tour from Guayaquil: $231
- Full Day Private Churute Mangroves Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: $255
- Full-Day Cuenca and Traditional Craft Beer Tasting Tour: $225
- Full-Day Nature and Adventure Private Tour from Guayaquil: $249
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $70
- Guayaquil Cocktail Tasting Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Guayaquil $17
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
- Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antigua Guatemala is in Central America and Guayaquil 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 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 Guayaquil would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guayaquil 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 Antigua Guatemala Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antigua Guatemala or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Antigua Guatemala and Guayaquil, 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.