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

Should you visit Leiden 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 Leiden and Guayaquil can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Leiden or Guayaquil?

Leiden

Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest university.

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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden 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 Leiden or Guayaquil?

Leiden 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 Leiden or Guayaquil in the Summer?

Both Guayaquil and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Leiden is cooler than Guayaquil in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In July, Leiden usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Leiden or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

Both Guayaquil and Leiden during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Leiden for the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

In the autumn, Leiden is much colder than Guayaquil. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Leiden usually gets less rain in October than Guayaquil. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Guayaquil in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Guayaquil. Many visitors come to Leiden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Leiden is generally much colder than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Leiden usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Leiden or Guayaquil in the Spring?

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

Leiden is much colder than Guayaquil in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Leiden usually gets less rain in April than Guayaquil. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Leiden