Which place is cheaper, Lima or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guayaquil or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Lima, 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $95Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Lima $5.73
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 Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
- Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
- Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima HTL-APT (LIM): $34
- Transfers from / to Lima airport: $43
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Lima City - Lima Airport (LIM): $61
- Transfer from the Airport to the Hotel or Hotel-Airport!!: $25
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $53
- Tegucigalpa to Tegucigalpa Toncontin Airport (TGU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFER - From or To Lima Airport: $11
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $29Lima $18
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
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Market Food Tour - Taste 9 Popular Peruvian Snacks: $35
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Lima $8.66
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 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
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $80
- Guayaquil Layover Sightseeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport: $82
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- The best of Lima walking tour: $198
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3-Day Trip to Lima Tour Package: $150
- 3-Hour Guided Bicycle Tour in Miraflores: $30
- 3-Hour Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Lima: $51
- 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Lima $5.63
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
- Taste and discover the factory of a craft brewery: $65
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $17
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Lima, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Guayaquil. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Lima, 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 Lima?
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 Lima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Lima. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guayaquil in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Lima. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Guayaquil is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Guayaquil is a little warmer than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Lima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Lima. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guayaquil in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.