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

Should you visit Guayaquil or Puerto Varas?

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

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

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 Varas

Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas is $106. 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 Varas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guayaquil $32
    Puerto Varas $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guayaquil $64
    Puerto Varas $132
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Puerto Varas

Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Puerto Varas? 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 Puerto Varas


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 Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guayaquil $15
    Puerto Varas $21

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 Puerto Varas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:

  • Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
  • Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
  • Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
  • Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Puerto Varas?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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
    Puerto Varas $24

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
    Puerto Varas $19

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 Puerto Varas

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

  • Chiloé Island Tour: $60
  • From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
  • Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
  • Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
  • Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
  • Osorno Volcano Tour: $31
  • Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
  • Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
  • Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
  • Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Puerto Varas & Puerto Montt: $99
  • Puerto Varas Mountain Biking Experience: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guayaquil $17
    Puerto Varas $6.36

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 Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 Varas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Puerto Varas?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Puerto Varas, 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 Varas?

Puerto Varas 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 Varas in the Summer?

Both Puerto Varas 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 July, Guayaquil is generally a little warmer than Puerto Varasin January. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Varasin January. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F) 
    Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Guayaquil or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?

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

Guayaquil is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in April.

Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Guayaquil usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin April. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Guayaquil or Puerto Varas in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Guayaquil is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guayaquil in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. Guayaquil usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varasin July. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Guayaquil or Puerto Varas in the Spring?

Both Puerto Varas 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 April, Guayaquil is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin October. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. In April, Guayaquil usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Varasin October. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Guayaquil

Guayaquil Puerto Varas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)