Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
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 Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $95La Paz $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $118. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32La Paz $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64La Paz $104
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15La Paz $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $12
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
- Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
- Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
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
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Food Meals for one dayGuayaquil $29La Paz $38
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 Guayaquil Culinary Adventure, Cacao Cooking Class: $185
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21La Paz $13
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Guayaquil City Tour: $18
- 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
- Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City: $35
- City Tour Guayaquil: $40
- Guayaquil City Tour: $40
- Self-guided walking tour of Guayaquil's landmarks.: $45
- Private Experience of Flavors and Wine Pairing in Guayaquil: $52
- From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
- City Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $63
- Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
- City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
- Private Guayaquil City Tour and Parque Historico: $80
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- 1 Day Espiritu Santo Island Wonders, Sea Lions and Paddleboard Adventure : $249
- 3 Hour La Paz Whale Shark Snorkeling Experience: $244
- Adventure to Espiritu Santo Island: Snorkel with Sea Lions and Beach: $131
- Balandra & San Rafaelito: Sightseeing & Snorkelling: $135
- Balandra Beach and City Tour: $128
- Balandra Snorkel & Sea Lion Adventure: $135
- Can-Am X3 Turbo Adventure: Cabo Desert Trails & Beach Ride: $291
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Cruise Date Delight! Swim with Sea Lions! Apr-02: $186
- Espíritu Santo Island snorkel and sightseeing tour on Small Group: $167
- Espiritu Santo Island Day Tour: $170
- Espiritu Santo Island Snorkel & Sea Lion Adventure: $145
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17La Paz $12
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: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guayaquil is in South America and La Paz is in North America, 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 Guayaquil would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guayaquil 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 La Paz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Paz than you might in Guayaquil.
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 10 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.
When is the best time to visit Guayaquil or La Paz?
La Paz 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 Guayaquil or La Paz in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as La Paz. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Guayaquil is generally cooler than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in July than La Paz. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)La Paz 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or La Paz in the Autumn?
Both La Paz and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Guayaquil is cooler than La Paz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In October, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than La Paz. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)La Paz 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or La Paz in the Winter?
Both La Paz and Guayaquil during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Guayaquil is much warmer than La Paz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guayaquil in January average around 28°C (82°F), and La Paz averages at about 18°C (65°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than La Paz. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)La Paz 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or La Paz in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and La Paz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches.
In April, Guayaquil is generally a little warmer than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 28°C (82°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than La Paz. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)La Paz 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for La Paz and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | La Paz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.