Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Guayaquil?
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 Guayaquil or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Arequipa, 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: Guayaquil or Arequipa?
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
-
Guayaquil Prices
Ecuador PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $116Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $116, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Guayaquil and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Arequipa $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Arequipa? 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: Guayaquil Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Arequipa $6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Private Transfer: Guayaquil City to Guayaquil Airport: $48
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $19
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $38
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $20
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $20
- Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $254
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil city hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $231
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $254
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca: $104
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.47
-
Bus Ride$0.47
-
Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $38
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $300
- Private Transfer From Arequipa to Puno, English Speaking Driver: $284
- Koh lanta any hotel to Phuket airport Private transfer: $169
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Guayaquil 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 dayGuayaquil $50Arequipa $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day of Cooking and Chocolate at Cocoa Farm from Guayaquil: $175
- Gastronomic workshop tour, live cooking, Learn about the Ecuadorian culinary art: $180
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.44
-
Lunch$3.09
-
Ice Cream$1.18
-
Fruit$0.88
-
Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Arequipa $20
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $70
- Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
- Private Guayaquil City Tour: $77
- Half Day Guayaquil Historical Tour and Cocoa Culinary Experience: $85
- Guayaquil Cocktail Tasting Tour: $95
- Private Guayaquil City Tour and Parque Historico: $95
- Guayaquil Experience - Premium City Tour: $95
- Choco-Culture City Tour & Cacao Museum: $99
- Half Day Walking Tour of Guayaquil Pearl of the Pacific: $100
- Guayaquil´s Night Tour with Drinks at FrutaBar: $105
- Guayaquil Layover Sightseeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport: $120
- Half Day Guayaquil City and Cacao Farm Tour: $135
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.94
-
Salsa Class$2.94
-
Movie Ticket$3.21
-
Hot Springs$2.94
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Colca Living Experience Nature Culture and Tradition: $173
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
- Afternoon : Arequipa city tour with Santa Catalina Monastery: $75
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Arequipa $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: $65
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Arequipa, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Arequipa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Arequipa?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Arequipa, 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.