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

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 Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Guayaquil?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $7.47. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guayaquil $32
    Mendoza $2.84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guayaquil $64
    Mendoza $5.68
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.

Hotels in Guayaquil


Hotels in Mendoza


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 Mendoza Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guayaquil $15
    Mendoza $1.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil

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

  • Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
  • Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $12
  • Transfer Cuenca - Guayaquil (or Vice versa) With Visit To Cajas National Park: $128
  • Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
  • Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
  • Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
  • Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $99
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $99
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotels: $20
  • Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza

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

  • Wineries Transfer Lujan de Cuyo Maipu: $140
  • Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
  • Trapiche Winery Tasting + El Enemigo Lunch. Private transfer: $290
  • Trapiche Winery + Laur + Antigal Winery Lunch.Transfer included: $180
  • Transfer to Salentein Uco Valley with Lunch and Visit: $190
  • Tour of 3 Top Wineries in Lujan and Maipu. Transfer Included: $100
  • Tasting in two wineries + full lunch. Transfer included: $130
  • Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $24
  • Private transfers to Vinicolas de Lujan and Maipú: $150
  • Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
  • Private Transfer Vinicolas Lujan de Cuyo / Maipu: $120
  • Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Mendoza by Car or Minibus: $21

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Guayaquil $29
    Mendoza $3.34

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

Typical Food Prices in Mendoza

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


  • Empanadas
    $0.01

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza

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

  • Traditional lunch with pairing, private cooking class and show: $110
  • Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $183
  • Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
  • Food Tour: $250
  • Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guayaquil $21
    Mendoza $2.11

Tours and Activities in Guayaquil

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

  • City Tour Guayaquil: $40
  • City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
  • Cocoa and Gastronomy Tour at Hacienda CacaoyMango: $155
  • Dolphin Watching Experience in Puerto El Morro from Guayaquil: $165
  • From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $159
  • From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
  • Full Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $169
  • Full day private tour Mangroves, dolphins and birds from guayaquil : $215
  • Full day tour Mangroves, dolphins and cocoa farm from guayaquil: $225
  • Full-Day Cuenca and Traditional Craft Beer Tasting Tour: $241
  • Guayaquil City Tour: $40
  • Guayaquil City Tour: $90

Tours and Activities in Mendoza

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

  • Admire the majesty of the Cordillera: AltaMontaña Experience: $250
  • Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
  • Amazing High mountain tour to Aconcagua: $140
  • Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $77
  • Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $270
  • Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $150
  • Bike Tour in Mendoza Wine Country: $180
  • Bike Tour through Luján Wineries, Mendoza: $250
  • BikeTour- Winery, Handcraft Liquour Stre & Chocolate Factory: $88
  • Charms of Private Tour 3 Wineries with Paired Lunch: $280
  • Choose your Own Wine Adventure (full day): $142
  • Choose your Own Wine Adventure (full day): $182

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guayaquil $17
    Mendoza $1.27

Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:

  • Taste and discover the factory of a craft brewery: $65

Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:


  • Beer
    $0.01

Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:

  • Friday special wine tasting.: $15
  • Classic Wine Tasting: $22
  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $28
  • Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $39
  • Premium Wine Tasting: $45
  • Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
  • Ultimate Uco Valley Wine Tour: $140
  • Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
  • Mendoza Wine Tour with Lunch: $155
  • Private Maipu Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $159
  • Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $165
  • Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $166


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.