Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guayaquil or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Saint Thomas, 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 Thomas?
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 Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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 Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil or Saint Thomas? 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 Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE): Transfer to Guayaquil hotels: $129
- Transfer Cuenca - Guayaquil (or Vice versa) With Visit To Cajas National Park: $128
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $98
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
- Guayaquil Airport Private Transfer Service: $80
- Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Guayaquil - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
- Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $28
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 Thomas $54
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guayaquil $21Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
- City Tour Guayaquil: $40
- City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
- Cocoa and Gastronomy Tour at Hacienda CacaoyMango: $155
- Dolphin Watching Experience in Puerto El Morro from Guayaquil: $165
- Exclusive private luxury cocoa experience: $187
- From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $159
- From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
- Full Day Ayangue Tour with Snorkeling in The Pelado's Islote: $295
- Full Day Private Churute Mangroves Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: $255
- Full Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $263
- Full day private tour Mangroves, dolphins and birds from guayaquil : $215
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Kayak and Snorkel Tour : $169
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Saint Thomas $27
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guayaquil or Saint Thomas?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Guayaquil and Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Guayaquil or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Guayaquil is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guayaquil in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Saint Thomas. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Guayaquil usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Guayaquil is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. In January, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Guayaquil is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Guayaquil during the spring 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 Thomas year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in April than Saint Thomas. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Guayaquil is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guayaquil in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.