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

Should you visit Mandeville or Guayaquil?

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

Should I visit Mandeville 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: Mandeville or Guayaquil?

Mandeville

Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in 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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Mandeville?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, 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 Mandeville and Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $38
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $76
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville 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 Mandeville


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.
    Mandeville $31
    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 the hotel and vice versa: $30
  • Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $12
  • Transfer Cuenca - Guayaquil (or Vice versa) With Visit To Cajas National Park: $128
  • Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
  • Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
  • Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
  • Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $98
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $89
  • Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
  • Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Mandeville 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
    Mandeville $24
    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.
    Mandeville $8.31
    Guayaquil $21

Tours and Activities in Guayaquil

For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.51
    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 Mandeville and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Mandeville.

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


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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 Mandeville 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 Mandeville or Guayaquil in the Summer?

Both Guayaquil and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville 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 July, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Mandeville is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mandeville 29°C (83°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

Both Guayaquil and Mandeville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually gets more rain in October than Guayaquil. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mandeville 28°C (82°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or Guayaquil in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mandeville 26°C (79°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Mandeville or Guayaquil in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Guayaquil. Mandeville 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. Mandeville usually gets less rain in April than Guayaquil. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mandeville 26°C (80°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Mandeville

Mandeville Guayaquil
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 101 mm (4 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)