Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Guayaquil?
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 Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Guayaquil Prices
Ecuador PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $116Koh Pha Ngan $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $116, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $59. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Koh Pha Ngan $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Koh Pha Ngan $52
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Koh Pha Ngan $14
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 - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- 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
- Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Luxury VIP car transfers to hotels in Guayaquil and Ecuador: $30
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $227
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil city hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $227
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.12
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Ferry Ride$15
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Gas for Scooter$3.34
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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
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Food Meals for one dayGuayaquil $50Koh Pha Ngan $20
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
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.22
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.22
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Ice Cream$0.61
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Juice$1.82
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3 Spring Rolls$0.91
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2 Pancakes$1.82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Koh Pha Ngan $19
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cultural Tour of the Museums of Guayaquil: $35
- City Highlights Tour with Cable Car Ride: $58
- Guayaquil Museum Tour: $64
- Half-Day City Tour—Iguana Park & Santa Ana Hill: $70
- Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Santa Ana: $74
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $74
- Private Guayaquil City Tour: $77
- City Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $80
- Historic Walking Tour Through Time & Culture: $83
- Half Day Guayaquil Historical Tour and Cocoa Culinary Experience: $85
- Personalized City Tour with Guide: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Koh Pha Ngan $11
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.91
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guayaquil is in South America and Koh Pha Ngan is in Asia, 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 Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Guayaquil during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets less rain in July than Koh Pha Ngan. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Guayaquil is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guayaquil in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Guayaquil usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Guayaquil is generally around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than Koh Pha Ngan. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Guayaquil is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guayaquil in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
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.