A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fortaleza vs. Guayaquil for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza 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: Fortaleza or Guayaquil?

Fortaleza

A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.

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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Fortaleza?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $71, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $95. 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 Fortaleza and Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $31
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $62
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza 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.

Hotels in Fortaleza


Hotels in Guayaquil


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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $22
    Guayaquil $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer to Beach Park: $12
  • Transfer leaving from the Fortaleza waterfront to Beach Park: $9.24
  • Transfer from Pinto Martins Airport to hotels in Fortaleza: $9.24
  • Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $30
  • Transfer Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $300
  • Transfer Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $158
  • Transfer 4x4 Regular Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $75
  • Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza: $240
  • Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $9.85
  • Roundtrip transfer from Pinto Martins Airport to Hotels in Fortaleza: $18
  • Round trip transfer to Jericoacoara: $59
  • Private transfer: Fortaleza to Fortaleza International Airport (FOR): $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil

Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
  • Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $132
  • Transfer Cuenca - Guayaquil (or Vice versa) With Visit To Cajas National Park: $128
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca : $104
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $100
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $100
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $90
  • Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service: $80
  • Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
  • Departure Private Transfer: Guayaquil City to Guayaquil Airport GYE by Minivan: $54
  • Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
  • Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Fortaleza 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
    Fortaleza $24
    Guayaquil $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fortaleza

For Fortaleza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Thematic Show with Rotation of Pizzas in Aquiraz: $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil

For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Gastronomic workshop tour, live cooking, Learn about the Ecuadorian culinary art: $131
  • Half Day Guayaquil Culinary Adventure, Cacao Cooking Class: $185

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $16
    Guayaquil $21

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.

  • Águas Belas Tour: $15
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
  • Beach Park Full-Day Trip Including Brief Tour of Fortaleza: $35
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $21
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $20
  • City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $27
  • City-Tour and Fortaleza (central market, cathedral, Fort, Theaters, encetur, P.ferreira: $57
  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Fortaleza City Tour : $26
  • Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
  • Half-Day City Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Guayaquil

For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Navigation through Mangroves forest/ Beach time/ Chocolate experience: $250
  • 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
  • City Tour Guayaquil: $40
  • City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
  • Cocoa Biking Tour: $180
  • Cocoa and Gastronomy Tour at Hacienda CacaoyMango: $155
  • Dolphin Watching Experience in Puerto El Morro from Guayaquil: $165
  • Exclusive private luxury cocoa experience: $187
  • From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $159
  • From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
  • Full Day Private Churute Mangroves Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: $255
  • Full Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $169

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $10
    Guayaquil $17

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: $52
  • Taste and discover the factory of a craft brewery: $65


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Guayaquil?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Guayaquil. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza 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.


When is the best time to visit Fortaleza or Guayaquil?

Fortaleza has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Guayaquil experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Guayaquil in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Guayaquil. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Fortaleza is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Guayaquilin July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Guayaquil. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

In April, Fortaleza is generally a little warmer than Guayaquilin October. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Fortaleza receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in April than Guayaquilin October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Fortaleza 27°C (80°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Guayaquil in the Winter?

Both Guayaquil and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In July, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Guayaquilin January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Fortaleza 26°C (79°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Fortaleza or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and Fortaleza during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

In the spring, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fortaleza in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F)in April.

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Fortaleza usually gets less rain in October than Guayaquilin April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Fortaleza

Fortaleza Guayaquil
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 356 mm (14 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 26°C (80°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)