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

Should you visit Guayaquil or Pucon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Pucon, 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 Pucon?

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.

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon 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 Pucon is $98. 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 Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guayaquil $32
    Pucon $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guayaquil $64
    Pucon $84
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Pucon? 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 Pucon


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guayaquil $15
    Pucon $19

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: $53
  • Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $131
  • 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: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
  • Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
  • Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotels: $20
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $116
  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon 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
    Pucon $37

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guayaquil $21
    Pucon $36

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: $50
  • 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
  • Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $80
  • Private Guayaquil City Tour and Parque Historico: $80
  • Guayaquil Layover Sightseeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transport: $82

Tours and Activities in Pucon

Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guayaquil $17
    Pucon $26

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


When comparing the travel costs between Guayaquil and Pucon, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Pucon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Pucon?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Pucon, 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 Pucon?

Pucon 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 Pucon in the Summer?

Both Pucon 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.

In the summer, Guayaquil is a little warmer than Pucon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guayaquil in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Pucon averages at about 16°C (61°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in July than Puconin January. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Guayaquil or Pucon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

In October, Guayaquil is generally much warmer than Puconin April. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Guayaquil usually receives less rain than Puconin April. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Guayaquil or Pucon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Pucon. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Guayaquil is much warmer than Pucon in the winter. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Pucon. Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. Guayaquil usually gets less rain in January than Puconin July. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Guayaquil or Pucon in the Spring?

Both Pucon and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

In the spring, Guayaquil is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guayaquil in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Puconin October. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and Guayaquil

Guayaquil Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)