Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Liberia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Liberia or Guayaquil?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Liberia and Guayaquil. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Liberia or Guayaquil?
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
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 Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, 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 dayLiberia $112Guayaquil $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $112, 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 Liberia and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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: Liberia Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43Guayaquil $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfers from Liberia Airport: $60
- Transfers Tamarindo Diria or Occidental Tamarindo, Round Trip.: $230
- Transfer from Playa Hermosa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $91
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to El Mangroove Hotel: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Dreams Las Mareas Hotel: $149
- Transfer from El Mangroove Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $94
- Transfer from Dreams Las Mareas Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $148
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
- Transfer Riu Palace and Guanacaste Round-Trip: $160
- Transfer Liberia Airport to Planet Hollywood or Andaz Papagayo, ROUND TRIP.: $176
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 Liberia or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Liberia 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 dayLiberia $21Guayaquil $29
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
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.Liberia $25Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- (Private) La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $41
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2 In 1 Jet Sky & Buggy Private Tour: $300
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $130
- 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
- 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
- 6 Hours Guanacaste Cultural and Local Farm Experience: $77
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLiberia $13Guayaquil $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 Liberia and Guayaquil, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Liberia 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 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Liberia Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Liberia or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Liberia 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 Liberia 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 Liberia or Guayaquil in the Summer?
Both Guayaquil and Liberia during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia 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 Liberia. Liberia usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquil. Liberia gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Liberia is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLiberia 28°C (82°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Liberia and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. Liberia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Liberia usually receives more rain than Guayaquil. Liberia gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Liberia is a little warmer than Guayaquil in the autumn. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLiberia 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Guayaquil in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Liberia as well as Guayaquil. Liberia 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. Liberia usually gets less rain in January than Guayaquil. Liberia gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Liberia is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the winter temperatures in Liberia in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLiberia 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Guayaquil in the Spring?
Both Guayaquil and Liberia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia 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 Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In April, Liberia usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Liberia gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Liberia is generally around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 29°C (85°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLiberia 29°C (85°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Liberia
| Liberia | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.