Which place is cheaper, Mendoza 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 Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Mendoza, 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 Mendoza?
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Guayaquil Prices
Ecuador PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $116Mendoza $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $116, while the average daily cost in Mendoza 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 Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Mendoza $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Mendoza $84
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Mendoza? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Mendoza $4.15
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: $13
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $43
- Private Transfer from Manta Cruise Port to Guayaquil city hotels: $229
- Private Transfer from Manta Cruise Port to Guayaquil Airport(GYE): $229
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil city hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $229
- Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
- Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $20
- 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 Departure Transfer: $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ushuaia: Transfer Ida & Volta para Cerro Castor desde hotel: $25
- Termas Cacheuta Water Park with transfer: $50
- Sunset Electronic Music Party at Las Palapas with Transfers: $220
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $280
- Private Transfers in Mendoza and Lujan de Cuyo: $85
- Private Transfer in Mendoza: $27
- Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu: $38
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $38
- Private One Way Transfer from Mendoza Airport to Hotel: $40
- Premium Spa Day at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Transfers: $183
- Viña Cobos Lunch, Wine & Private Transfer: $520
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $9.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza 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 $50Mendoza $5.81
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $195
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $210
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
- Casa Vigil (the enemy) + Dinner + Guided tour: $250
- Winery & Michelin-Star Dinner Saffron barrels. Private Transport: $260
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Astonishing Mangroves & Dry forest /Chocolate experience trip: $280
- Churute Mangroves and Birdwatching Tour Guayaquil: $245
- Cocoa and Tropical Fruits Farm with Fine Chocolate Experience: $144
- Cultural Tour of the Museums of Guayaquil: $35
- Excursion Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $175
- From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $189
- Full Day Churute Howler Monkeys and Chocolate Tour: $276
- Full Day Dolphins Mangroves and Birdwatching Tour from Guayaquil: $231
- Full Day Private Churute Mangroves Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: $255
- Full-Day Cuenca and Traditional Craft Beer Tasting Tour: $250
- Guayaquil City Tour (3.5 Hours): Las Peñas & Iguana Park: $131
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $74
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Lunch. Private Transport: $130
- 3 Wineries & Olive Oil Experience with Private Transport: $100
- 3 Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Set: $150
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour with 34 Traditional Argentine Flavors: $95
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- 4WD Adventure in Explore the Villavicencio Reserve: $123
- Aconcagua & Puente del Inca Full Day Tour from Mendoza with Lunch: $110
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared: $138
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure and Relaxation in Mendoza Rafting and Cacheuta Springs: $237
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Mendoza $5.90
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $31
- Maipu Wine Tour: 3 Wineries and Olive Oil Factory: $37
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $39
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $85
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Mendoza, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza 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 Mendoza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Mendoza?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Mendoza, 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.
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.