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

Should you visit Guayaquil or Puerto Madryn?

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

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

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.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Puerto Madryn, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn.

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

Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Puerto Madryn?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Puerto Madryn, 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 Puerto Madryn?

Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn in the Summer?

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

Guayaquil is around the same temperature as Puerto Madryn in the summer. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in January.

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Madrynin January. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Guayaquil or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Guayaquil is much warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guayaquil in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 14°C (58°F)in April.

In October, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin April. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Guayaquil or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?

Both Puerto Madryn 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.

In January, Guayaquil is generally much warmer than Puerto Madrynin July. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Madrynin July. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Guayaquil or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Puerto Madryn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

Guayaquil is much warmer than Puerto Madryn in the spring. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in October.

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin October. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Guayaquil