Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Flores?
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 Flores or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Flores and Guayaquil can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Flores or Guayaquil?
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
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 Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Flores Prices
Guatemala PricesGuayaquil Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlores $43Guayaquil $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $43, 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 Flores and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlores $8.77Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlores $18Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Flores and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Flores 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: Flores Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Flores $8.00Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer : Mayan World Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $160
- From Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Tikal: $39
- Transfer from Flores to Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Tourists Only: $40
- Tikal National Park Guided Tour with Transfers: $24
- One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Belize/Caye Caulke/San Pedro Van or Ferry Transfer: $20
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce, Izabal: $39
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $13
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $43
- Private Transfer from Manta Cruise Port to Guayaquil city hotels: $232
- Private Transfer from Manta Cruise Port to Guayaquil Airport(GYE): $232
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $256
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil city hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $232
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $232
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $256
- Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Luxury VIP car transfers to hotels in Guayaquil and Ecuador: $30
- Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Flores or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Flores 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 dayFlores $23Guayaquil $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Wagyu Cooking Class in Guayaquil: $135
- Cooking Class, Wine & Chocolate Experience: $174
- Half Day of Cooking and Chocolate at Cocoa Farm from Guayaquil: $175
- Gastronomic workshop tour, live cooking, Learn about the Ecuadorian culinary art: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Flores $20Guayaquil $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
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Map of Tikal$3.27
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores and Airport: $105
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores or Mayan World Airport: $78
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
- Blue Crater, Imox Lagoon & Hidden Pools Tour: $75
- Tikal National Park Tour with Mayan Energy Reading: $222
- Yaxha Shared Sunset Tour with Transportation & Guide: $25
- From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
- From Flores Petén: Tour to Playa 3 Naciones: $150
- From 2-Day Semuc Champey Tour with Caves & Tubing: $38
- From 2-Day Tikal & Yaxhá Tour: $299
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
- Churute Mangroves and Birdwatching Tour Guayaquil: $245
- Cocoa and Tropical Fruits Farm with Fine Chocolate Experience: $144
- Cultural Tour of the Museums of Guayaquil: $35
- Excursion Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $175
- From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $189
- 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: $250
- Full-Day Nature and Adventure Private Tour from Guayaquil: $249
- Guayaquil City Tour (3.5 Hours): Las Peñas & Iguana Park: $131
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlores $21Guayaquil $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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Two Margaritas$2.62
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
- Premium Wine Tasting and 3-Course Pairing Menu in Guayaquil.: $86
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting: $428
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Flores and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Flores 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 Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Flores Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Flores or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Flores 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.