A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Banos vs. Port-au-Prince for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Banos or Port-au-Prince?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Banos and Port-au-Prince. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Banos or Port-au-Prince?

Banos

Banos (de Agua Santa) is a small city in the Andean highlands of Ecuador under volcano Tungurahua. Its name, which is Spanish for "Baths (of sacred water)," comes from the famous hydrothermal springs in the area. It's equally popular with foreigners as with Ecuadorians, and is known as the adventure capital of Ecuador. The streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour agencies. Although it is very touristy, lots of people love it, more for the activities and surroundings than for the city itself. It is an important hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours.

Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince is the capital city and most-populous city of Haiti. The metropolitan area is divided into several districts with access to a number of landmarks and museums, as well as a lively cultural scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Port-au-Prince or Banos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Banos is $46, while the average daily cost in Port-au-Prince is $28. 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 Banos and Port-au-Prince in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Banos $16
    Port-au-Prince $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Banos $32
    Port-au-Prince $44
Compare Hotels in Banos and Port-au-Prince

Looking for a hotel in Banos or Port-au-Prince? 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 Banos


Hotels in Port-au-Prince


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: Banos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Banos $10
    Port-au-Prince $4.73

Is it cheaper to fly into Banos or Port-au-Prince?

Prices for flights to both Port-au-Prince and Banos 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
    Banos $15
    Port-au-Prince $3.69
Typical Food Prices in Banos

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Banos:


  • Dinner
    $13
  • Ice cream
    $1.50
  • Coffee
    $2.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Banos $19
    Port-au-Prince $0.76
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banos

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


  • Two Rented Bikes for the Day
    $10
  • Cost to see Waterfall
    $2.00
  • Day at the Spa
    $45
  • 2 Bike Rentals (1 Day)
    $10
  • Entrance to Waterfall
    $2.00

Tours and Activities in Banos

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

  • Adventure Circuit 4 activities in 1. All within an impressive cascade: $25
  • Canopy Ziplining in Puntzan Adventure Park: $26
  • 2 Hours Small-Group Horseback Riding Experience in Banos: $30
  • Canyoning Adventure Tour in the Ravine: $30
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience in Chamana: $30
  • Private Canyoning Experience in Baños de Agua Santa Ecuador: $30
  • Full Day Jungle Tour: $32
  • Puyo Jungle Tour in 1 Day: $35
  • Full Day Guided Tour in the Ecuadorian Amazon: $35
  • Pailón del Diablo | Waterfall Route | Tour for 3 hours: $35
  • Adventure and Fun River Rafting in Baños Ecuador: $35
  • One day tour in the jungle. all inclusive.: $39

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Banos $9.74
    Port-au-Prince $0.20
Typical Alcohol Prices in Banos

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


  • Beer
    $4.00


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Banos Expensive? and Is Port-au-Prince Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Banos or Port-au-Prince?

Port-au-Prince has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Banos. When comparing the sizes of Banos and Port-au-Prince, 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.