Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Koh Samui?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Koh Samui or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Guayaquil? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Koh Samui or Guayaquil?
Koh Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesGuayaquil Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $76Guayaquil $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $76, 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 Koh Samui and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $25Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $50Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui 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.
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: Koh Samui Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Guayaquil $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.28
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Gas for Scooter$1.22
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Airport Taxi$13
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Thrilling 2 Hour ATV Jungle with Hotel Transfer from Koh Samui: $86
- The Red Baron Luxury Yacht Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $163
- Smooth Koh Samui to Krabi Catamaran and Bus or Van Transfer: $51
- Smooth Koh Phangan to Phuket Transfer by Catamaran and Bus: $66
- Samui: Full Moon Party by Speedboat transfer: $44
- Samui Zipline Adventure with Transfer service: $52
- Private round trip Transfers from Samui Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Samui City to Samui (USM) Airport: $49
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Taling Ngam: $67
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Samui City: $49
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Mae Nam: $67
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Lamai: $38
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: $249
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $249
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil city hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $226
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $226
- 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: $37
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- 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 city -Arrival Private Transfer: $19
- Guayaquil to Guayaquil Airport GYE Departure Private Transfer: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Koh Samui 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 dayKoh Samui $37Guayaquil $50
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Koh Samui Local Market Hin Ta Hin Yai and Beach Dinner: $36
- Samui Suppers Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $76
- Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Micro Organic Garden: $77
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $77
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Market Tour: $78
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui Buffet & Transfer: $79
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $80
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Transfer: $83
- Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $85
- Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $108
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Wagyu Cooking Class in Guayaquil: $135
- Cooking Class, Wine & Chocolate Experience: $174
- Half Day of Cooking and Chocolate at Cocoa Farm from Guayaquil: $175
- Gastronomic workshop tour, live cooking, Learn about the Ecuadorian culinary art: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure in Koh Samui Mountain Viewpoints: $86
- 2 Hours ATV Quad Bike Popular Tour From Koh Samui: $108
- 2-Hour Koh Samui ATV Quad Tour: $57
- 2.5-Hours ATV Jungle Adventure Experience from Koh Phangan: $118
- 4 Hour Ultimate ATV Jungle Tour in Koh Samui Lunch Included: $138
- 4X4 Tour around the Island: $61
- 6 Hours Elephant Care and Jungle Tour by 4WD in Koh Samui: $61
- ATV 1.5 Hours Jungle Safari Tour On Koh Phangan: $75
- ATV 2 hrs. Jungle Adventure on the Mountain Way in Koh Samui: $62
- Adventure Kayaking at Angthong Marine Park: $114
- Amazing Koh Samui "Must Visit" Private Tour: $174
- Ang Thong Marine Park Adventure with Kayaking and Lunch: $63
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: $245
- Cocoa and Tropical Fruits Farm with Fine Chocolate Experience: $144
- Cultural Tour of the Museums of Guayaquil: $35
- Excursion Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $175
- From Cloud Forest/Waterfalls Private Tour & Lunch: $189
- 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: $250
- Full-Day Nature and Adventure Private Tour from Guayaquil: $249
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.16Guayaquil $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
- Premium Wine Tasting and 3-Course Pairing Menu in Guayaquil.: $86
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting: $428
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Koh Samui is in Asia 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 Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samui Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui or Guayaquil?
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 Koh Samui or Guayaquil in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Guayaquil. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. October to December in Koh Samui is the rainy season. Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Guayaquil. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Guayaquil in the Winter?
Both Guayaquil and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Koh Samui during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui 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. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Guayaquil. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is cooler than Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.