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

Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or Guayaquil?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe 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: Isla de Ometepe or Guayaquil?

Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.

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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Isla de Ometepe?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Isla de Ometepe is $34, 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 Isla de Ometepe and Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Isla de Ometepe $13
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Isla de Ometepe $26
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Isla de Ometepe and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe


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.
    Isla de Ometepe $11
    Guayaquil $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil

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

  • Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $12
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
  • Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
  • Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
  • Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
  • Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
  • Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
  • Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Isla de Ometepe or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Isla de Ometepe 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
    Isla de Ometepe $13
    Guayaquil $29

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.
    Isla de Ometepe $13
    Guayaquil $21

Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:

  • A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80

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
    Isla de Ometepe $8.85
    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: $55


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla de Ometepe and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Isla de Ometepe is in Central America 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 Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.

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



When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe or Guayaquil in the Summer?

Both Guayaquil and Isla de Ometepe during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Isla de Ometepe is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 27°C (81°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Isla de Ometepe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Isla de Ometepe usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Isla de Ometepe is a little warmer than Guayaquil in the autumn. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Isla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Guayaquil in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as Guayaquil. Isla de Ometepe 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. Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the winter temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Isla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Guayaquil in the Spring?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In April, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 29°C (84°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Isla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Isla de Ometepe

Isla de Ometepe Guayaquil
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)