Which place is cheaper, Quito or Asuncion?
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 Asuncion or Quito?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Quito, 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: Asuncion or Quito?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
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 Adventure Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador.
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Asuncion Prices
Paraguay PricesQuito Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $74Quito $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $74, 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 Asuncion and Quito in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $21Quito $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $42Quito $44
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Quito
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion 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.
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: Asuncion Hotel Prices and Quito Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.10Quito $6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Silvio Pettirossi Airport to Asuncion Transfers : $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
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Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $27
- Transfer to Mashpi Amagusa Reserve one way : $69
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $23
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Transfer In & Out from Quito: $90
- Private Transfer from/to Airport: $35
- Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $38
- Private City Tour & Intiñam Museum Visit w/ Transfer: $89
- Mariscal Sucre Airport Transfer: $40
- Quito hotels to Quito Airport (UIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Quito airport private transfer IN or OUT: $28
- Quito PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Quito?
Prices for flights to both Quito and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $27Quito $34
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
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $55
- Quito Cooking Class Shared Experience: $59
- Ecuador Food Tour: $69
- Authentic Andean Cooking Class in Quito : $85
- 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
- Quito after-dark street food tour : $90
- Afternoon Coffee in Quito - Foodie Tour with empanada cooking class: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $15Quito $16
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided Walking Tour in Asuncion: $27
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
- Asuncion : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $35
- Asuncion Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $36
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus: $115
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $175
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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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:
- Otavalo Market Private Sightseeing and Surroundings: $110
- The best of Quito walking tour: $269
- Tour Full-Day Mercado de Otavalo + Cotacachi, Ecuador.: $75
- biking/ rolling/ walking Quito Old Town Tour - Private Tours: $75
- 3-Day Adventure: Quito, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños, Jungle: $863
- 3-Day Private Tour of Quito: $120
- Adventure in Quilotoa Lagoon by Lead: $150
- All Inclusive Mindo Cloud Forest in a Private Full Day Tour: $130
- Antisana Volcano Birding & Natural History Condor Tour PRIVATE, all included: $198
- Antisana Volcano Day Tour from Quito: $120
- Antisana Volcano Private Tour: $103
- Artisan Market Otavalo Tour from Quito: $99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $9.51Quito $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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Beer$1.13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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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 comparing the travel costs between Asuncion and Quito, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Quito Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asuncion or Quito?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Asuncion 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.
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.