Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guayaquil or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
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.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $95Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Mazatlan $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $129
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service: $80
- Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 $29Mazatlan $34
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 Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Mazatlan $9.59
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 Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Barrio Bites tour: $78
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
- Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $210
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
- Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
- Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
- Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
- Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
- Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Mazatlan $18
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 Mazatlan, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guayaquil is in South America and Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Mazatlan?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Guayaquil is generally cooler than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.
Guayaquil is cooler than Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In October, Guayaquil usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mazatlan. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Mazatlan. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In the winter, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guayaquil in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than Mazatlan. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.
In April, Guayaquil is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 28°C (82°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.