Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Guayaquil?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and Guayaquil can help you decide which place is right for you.
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Guayaquil or Colonia del Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $48, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $76. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Colonia del Sacramento and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $48 in Colonia del Sacramento For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Guayaquil can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $25, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $50.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Colonia del Sacramento $24
Guayaquil $25
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Colonia del Sacramento
$48
Guayaquil
$50
Food
While meal prices in Colonia del Sacramento can vary, the average travelers spends about $13 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Colonia del Sacramento should cost around $5.20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Colonia del Sacramento is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
In Guayaquil travelers spend around $23 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil:
$95
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Cooking Class with Market Visit!:
$103
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Half Day :Eco Cooking Class and culinary Experience (Departure from Guayaquil):
$135
Local Transportation
To get around in Colonia del Sacramento, the average visitor spends $12 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Guayaquil's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $12 per person, per day on transportation in Guayaquil.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Colonia del Sacramento $12
Guayaquil $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer:
$15
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Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer:
$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel:
$20
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Transfer Guayaquil Hotel - Aeropuerto:
$27
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Transfer Airport - Guayaquil Hotel:
$27
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Private Transfer: José J. de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil:
$622
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Private Transfer: Guayaquil to José J. de Olmedo International Airport (GYE):
$622
-
Private Transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca:
$83
-
Private TRANSFER OUT from Hotel to Guayaquil Airport:
$15
-
Private TRANSFER OUT from Hotel to Guayaquil Airport:
$15
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Private TRANSFER IN from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel:
$15
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Private TRANSFER IN from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel:
$15
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Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel:
$19
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Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport:
$13
Entertainment
In Colonia del Sacramento, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $17 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Guayaquil can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $17 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Colonia del Sacramento $17
Guayaquil $17
Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Colonia Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour:
$26
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Colonia del Sacramento City Tour:
$63
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Full Day Birdwatching and Nature Tour:
$200
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Half day city tour in Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay:
$65
-
Half day city tour in Montevideo:
$52
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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'Hacienda La Danesa' Cacao & Chocolate Experience:
$200
-
'Tren del Hielo I' Experience: Riobamba - Urbina - La Moya - Riobamba:
$206
-
3 Days - Sun Route of Ecuador & Montañita Experiences from Guayaquil:
$1,242
-
3-Day Tour to Salinas and Montañita from Guayaquil:
$469
-
4 Days Guayaquil " Total Experiences ":
$734
-
9-Day Ecuadorian Coast Tour Including Isla de la Plata from Guayaquil:
$2,295
-
Canal del Morro Boat Tour and Varadero Beach from Guayaquil:
$195
-
Canyoning level IV Adventure day trip near Guayaquil:
$86
-
City Tour Guayaquil:
$20
-
City Tour in Guayaquil, Ecuador:
$55
-
Contrasts of Ecuador 7-Day Adventure Tour:
$1,012
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Cultural tour, 3 days, INCA EXPRESS Ingapirca - Cuenca - Cajas Nationalpark:
$667
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Colonia del Sacramento spend on average $4.13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Guayaquil spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
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Process and Wine Tasting in Cellar Two Hemispheres - Puerto El Morro:
$294
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Colonia del Sacramento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento.
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