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

Should you visit Hofn or Guayaquil?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Guayaquil, 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: Hofn or Guayaquil?

Hofn

Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Hofn?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $205, while the average daily cost in Guayaquil is $116. 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 Hofn and Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $112
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $224
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in Hofn 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 Hofn


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: Hofn Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $31
    Guayaquil $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hofn

Also for Hofn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Hofn Airport Hotel Transfer: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil

Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $254
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $254
  • Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil city hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $231
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca: $104
  • Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
  • Departure Private Transfer: Guayaquil City to Guayaquil Airport: $48
  • Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $43
  • Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $38
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $20
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $20
  • Guayaquil Airport (GYE) to Guayaquil hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Hofn 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
    Hofn $72
    Guayaquil $50

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 of Cooking and Chocolate at Cocoa Farm from Guayaquil: $175
  • Gastronomic workshop tour, live cooking, Learn about the Ecuadorian culinary art: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $20
    Guayaquil $21

Tours and Activities in Hofn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.

  • Blue Ice Cave Exploration from Jökulsárlón (Small Group Tour): $257
  • Crystal Ice Cave & Super Jeep Tour from Jökulsárlón: $176
  • Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
  • Ice Exploration Tour from the Glacier Lagoon: $145
  • Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $238
  • The Original Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $195

Tours and Activities in Guayaquil

For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Astonishing Mangroves & Dry forest /Chocolate experience trip: $280
  • Choco-Culture City Tour & Cacao Museum: $99
  • Churute Mangroves and Birdwatching Tour Guayaquil: $220
  • Cocoa and Tropical Fruits Farm with Fine Chocolate Experience: $144
  • Excursion Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $158
  • Full Day Churute Howler Monkeys and Chocolate Tour: $276
  • Full Day Dolphins Mangroves and Birdwatching Tour from Guayaquil: $231
  • Full Day Private Churute Mangroves Reserve and Cocoa Farm Tour: $255
  • Full-Day Cuenca and Traditional Craft Beer Tasting Tour: $225
  • Full-Day Nature and Adventure Private Tour from Guayaquil: $249
  • Guayaquil City Tour Including the Light House of Cerro Santa Ana: $70
  • Guayaquil Cocktail Tasting Tour: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hofn $13
    Guayaquil $17

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Guayaquil, we can see that Hofn is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hofn is in Europe 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 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 1150 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn or Guayaquil?

Hofn 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 Hofn or Guayaquil in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Guayaquil. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Hofn is much colder than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hofn in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hofn usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Guayaquil. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Hofn in the autumn. In October, Hofn is generally much colder than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 4°C (40°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn usually gets more rain in October than Guayaquil. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Guayaquil in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. Hofn is much colder than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. It's quite rainy in Hofn. In January, Hofn usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and Hofn during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

Hofn can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Hofn is much colder than Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hofn in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hofn usually gets less rain in April than Guayaquil. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Hofn

Hofn Guayaquil
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)