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

Should you visit Havana or Guayaquil?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Havana and Guayaquil can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Guayaquil?

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Havana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $95. 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 Havana and Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $40
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $80
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Havana and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Guayaquil? 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 Havana


Hotels in Guayaquil


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Guayaquil $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

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 Havana or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Havana 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
    Havana $10
    Guayaquil $29
Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

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.
    Havana $11
    Guayaquil $21

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Guayaquil $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    $0.15

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 Havana and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Guayaquil is in South America, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.

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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Guayaquil?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Guayaquil. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Guayaquil, 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 Havana or Guayaquil?

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 Havana or Guayaquil in the Summer?

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

It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Havana usually gets less rain in July than Guayaquil. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Havana is a little warmer than Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Havana or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

Both Guayaquil and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Havana usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, Havana is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Havana in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Havana or Guayaquil in the Winter?

Both Guayaquil and Havana during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Havana usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In January, Havana is generally cooler than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 21°C (70°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Havana or Guayaquil in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Havana usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Havana is cooler than Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Havana

Havana Guayaquil
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)