Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or La Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Plata 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 La Plata and Guayaquil can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Guayaquil?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, 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 dayLa Plata $8.62Guayaquil $95
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.62, 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 La Plata and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $3.47Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $6.94Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $2.47Guayaquil $15
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 hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $98
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $88
- 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 Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $3.37Guayaquil $29
Typical Food Prices in La Plata
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:
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Ice Cream$0.01
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Plata $2.16Guayaquil $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata
For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee$0.01
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 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
- Full day tour Mangroves, dolphins and cocoa farm from guayaquil: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $1.20Guayaquil $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
- Taste and discover the factory of a craft brewery: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 La Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of La Plata. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 La Plata or Guayaquil?
La Plata 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 La Plata or Guayaquil in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Guayaquil. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, La Plata is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Plata in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.
Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, La Plata usually receives less rain than Guayaquilin July. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Plata 25°C (77°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Guayaquil. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.
In April, La Plata is generally cooler than Guayaquilin October. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (65°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
La Plata usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Guayaquilin October. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Plata 18°C (65°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Guayaquil in the Winter?
Both Guayaquil and La Plata 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.
La Plata is much colder than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In July, La Plata usually receives less rain than Guayaquilin January. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Plata 12°C (53°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and La Plata during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.
In the spring, La Plata is much colder than Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Plata in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F)in April.
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in La Plata. La Plata usually gets less rain in October than Guayaquilin April. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Plata 18°C (64°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and La Plata
| La Plata | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.