Which place is cheaper, Puerto Natales or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Guayaquil or Puerto Natales?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Puerto Natales, 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 Natales?
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 Natales
Puerto Natales is a beautiful town located in the Chilean Patagonia on the Senoret Channel. The city is often used as a base camp for trips to the surrounding national parks due to their plentiful restaurant options and access to internet. Puerto Natales is also known for being the base city to the Torres del Paine National Park, which was named the 5th most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Adventure Tours to Chile, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile.
-
Guayaquil Prices
Ecuador PricesPuerto Natales Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $116Puerto Natales $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $116, while the average daily cost in Puerto Natales is $111. 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 Puerto Natales in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Puerto Natales $40
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Puerto Natales $80
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Puerto Natales
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Puerto Natales? 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 Puerto Natales Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Puerto Natales $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Private Transfer: Guayaquil City to Guayaquil Airport: $48
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- 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 PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $20
- Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Luxury VIP car transfers to hotels in Guayaquil and Ecuador: $30
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $227
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil city hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $227
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Natales
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Natales:
- Transfer Puerto Natales Hotel Lago Grey Connection Navigation: $75
- Shared transfer minibus Puerto Natales (CL) to El Calafate (ARG): $134
- Puerto Natales Airport Private Transfer: $43
- Private transfer Airport x Lodging (Puerto Natales): $25
- Private Transfer: From Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $422
- Private Transfer Airport x Hotels inside the TORRES DEL PAINE Park: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Puerto Natales?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Natales 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 dayGuayaquil $50Puerto Natales $51
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
Typical Food Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Puerto Natales:
-
Cake$1.11
-
Dinner$19
-
Coke$1.11
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Puerto Natales $31
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cultural Tour of the Museums of Guayaquil: $35
- City Highlights Tour with Cable Car Ride: $58
- Guayaquil Museum Tour: $64
- Half-Day City Tour—Iguana Park & Santa Ana Hill: $70
- Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Santa Ana: $74
- Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $74
- Private Guayaquil City Tour: $77
- City Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $80
- Historic Walking Tour Through Time & Culture: $83
- Half Day Guayaquil Historical Tour and Cocoa Culinary Experience: $85
- Personalized City Tour with Guide: $90
Tours and Activities in Puerto Natales
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Natales for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour and traditional lunch.: $255
- Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Full Day Nature Experience and Lunch: $283
- Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour with Lunch: $259
- Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales: $271
- City Bike Tour through Puerto Natales: $65
- From Grey Glacier Tour: $251
- From Torres del Paine National Park Day Tour: $110
- Full Day Land of Sheep Experience Tourism: $199
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour: $99
- Full Day Torres del Paine Tour from Puerto Natales with Pickup: $119
- Full Day Tour Perito Moreno from Puerto Natales: $140
- Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park: $92
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Puerto Natales $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: $65
- Premium Wine Tasting and 3-Course Pairing Menu in Guayaquil.: $86
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting: $428
Typical Alcohol Prices in Puerto Natales
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Puerto Natales:
-
Alcohol$13
When comparing the travel costs between Guayaquil and Puerto Natales, we can see that Guayaquil 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 Puerto Natales Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Puerto Natales?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Puerto Natales. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Puerto Natales, 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.