Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guayaquil or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Saint John, 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 Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuayaquil $95Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Saint John? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Saint John $49
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: $52
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $129
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- 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: $18
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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
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Food Meals for one dayGuayaquil $29Saint John $56
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Guayaquil City Tour: $18
- 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
- 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: $52
- 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
- Private Guayaquil City Tour and Parque Historico: $80
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Saint John $44
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: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guayaquil is in South America and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Guayaquil would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guayaquil 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John than you might in Guayaquil.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Guayaquil or Saint John?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Guayaquil or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Guayaquil is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guayaquil in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Guayaquil usually receives less rain than Saint John. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Guayaquil is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Saint John. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Guayaquil is around the same temperature as Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Saint John. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Guayaquil is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guayaquil in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.