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

Should you visit Guayaquil or La Paz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or La Paz, 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 La Paz?

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.

La Paz

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Guayaquil?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $116, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $56. 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 La Paz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guayaquil $32
    La Paz $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guayaquil $64
    La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and La Paz

Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or La Paz? 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 Guayaquil


Hotels in La Paz


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 La Paz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guayaquil $15
    La Paz $9.45

Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

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

  • Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $54
  • Private Transfer from La Paz to Uyuni.: $295
  • Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels: $28
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
  • Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
  • Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
  • Bus Station Transfer Out_night : $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or La Paz?

Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 day
    Guayaquil $50
    La Paz $29

Typical Food Prices in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Fruit
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

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

  • La Paz : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $77

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

Tours and Activities in La Paz

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

  • From Private Tour to Tiwanaku Ruins and Puma Punku.: $173
  • Bike Tour to the Death Road: $85
  • Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $38
  • Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto: $26
  • City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
  • City Tour with Drone!: $204
  • City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
  • Copacabana & Isla del Sol. 2Days1Night. SPANISH GUIDE. PRIVATE TOUR. MIN 2 PPL: $174
  • Cusco Bus Ticket from La Paz City 7:30 a.m. : $60
  • Customizable Private City Tour - La Paz: $45
  • Death Road Biking - DOUBLE SUSPENSION BIKE (SHARED TOUR): $100
  • Death Road Biking Tour: $78

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guayaquil $17
    La Paz $11


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

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


Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or La Paz?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and La Paz, 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.