Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara or Galapagos Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Galapagos Islands or Guadalajara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Galapagos Islands or Guadalajara, 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: Galapagos Islands or Guadalajara?
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
-
Galapagos Islands Prices
Ecuador PricesGuadalajara Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGalapagos Islands $160Guadalajara $138
The average daily cost (per person) in Galapagos Islands is $160, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $138. 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 Galapagos Islands and Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGalapagos Islands $65Guadalajara $38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGalapagos Islands $130Guadalajara $76
Compare Hotels in Galapagos Islands and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Galapagos Islands or Guadalajara? 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: Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Galapagos Islands $54Guadalajara $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands
Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $123
- Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $123
- Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Guadalajara Airport Private Transfer to Ajijic & Chapala: $289
- Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $179
- Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $179
- Private Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels Safe & Stress-Free: $159
- Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $101
- Transfer from International Airport to Tequila Jalisco: $89
- Transfer by car to or from Guadalajara Airport: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Galapagos Islands or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara and Galapagos Islands 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 dayGalapagos Islands $55Guadalajara $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara
For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour and City Tour Guadalajara - Best Rated : $44
- Guadalajara Private Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Mexican Cooking & Tequila tasting experience-Casa Humo: $108
- Mexican Cooking Classes and Market Visit in Guadalajara: $195
- VIP Tequila Night Tour with Dinner and Tasting: $199
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Galapagos Islands $35Guadalajara $25
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
- Isla Pinzón - Day Tour - From Santa Cruz - Islas Galápagos: $250
- Tour of the city to Isabela + Tintoreras from Santa Cruz: $256
- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
- Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist : $179
- Cabo Rosa (Tuneles) Hiking & Snorkeling Tour from Isabela: $199
- Day Tour to Floreana Island with Snorkeling and Fishing: $259
- Day Tour to Isabela Island with Tintorera Islet, Snorkeling Wetlands & Flamingos: $269
- Day Tour to Santa Fe Island and Hidden Beach with snorkeling and fishing: $229
- Day tour to Pinzón Island and La Fé/Palmitas Bay with snorkeling and fishing: $249
- Day tour to San Cristobal Island with private Land Tour and snorkeling: $269
- Full Day Floreana Tour: $220
- Full Day Santa Fe & " Playa escondida" snorkeling tour: $220
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- Walking Tour Experience in Ajijic Mexico: $50
- 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $36
- A unique tour! Visiting Hacienda Casa herradura From Guadalajara: $120
- Architecture of Luis Barragan Walking Tour with Street Food: $70
- Bar Tour of the Coolest Quarter of Guadalajara: $17
- Cantaritos and Tequila Factory Tour: $89
- Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara: $40
- Chapala Lake & Ajijic Tour with "Tres Potrillos Ranch": $65
- Chapala and Ajijic Private Full-Day Tour: $128
- Charreria heritage tour be a charro for a day: $50
- City Tour Downtown Guadalajara Historical and Cultural Walking Tour: $79
- City tour in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque: $90
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGalapagos Islands $15Guadalajara $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Guadalajara Mexico: $25
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $65
- full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $95
- Guided Tour of Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery: $105
- Full-Day Tour to La Fortaleza Distillery and Cantaritos: $155
- Private Adventure Day Tour to Tequila and Cazcanes Distillery: $156
- Private Adventure to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $161
- Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery: $167
- Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila: $190
- Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery: $211
- Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day: $264
When comparing the travel costs between Galapagos Islands and Guadalajara, we can see that Galapagos Islands 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. Even though Galapagos Islands is in South America and Guadalajara is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Galapagos Islands Expensive? and Is Guadalajara Expensive?.
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.