Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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: Mombasa or Guayaquil?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesGuayaquil Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Guayaquil $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, 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 Mombasa and Guayaquil in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Guayaquil $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Guayaquil
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Guayaquil Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Guayaquil $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Mombasa (Moi Airport/SGR) To Diani: $35
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA): $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $42
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $22
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $42
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- Mombasa to Mombasa Airport (MBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Malindi Hotels: $142
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: $13
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $43
- Private transfer Guayaquil - Montañita: $250
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil to Cuenca: $104
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil hotels to Manta Cruise Port: $254
- Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport(GYE) to Manta Cruise Port: $230
- Private Transfer Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil by Car or Van: $48
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $20
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $20
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Guayaquil?
Prices for flights to both Guayaquil and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Guayaquil $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $137
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: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Guayaquil $21
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Group tour to Tsavo East National Park with Buffet Lunch: $160
- 1 Day Wasini Dolphin Tour From Diani Beach: $110
- 4 Hours Guided Mombasa City Tour: $45
- City Tour with Ghalib: $76
- Day Tour To Shimba Hill Reserve From Mombasa: $270
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Elky Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour: $180
- Full Day Group Joining Tour In Mombasa From Kilindin Harbour Port: $144
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa: $107
- Full Day Mombasa City Tour with a Local Guide: $130
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour: $162
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: $220
- Cocoa and Tropical Fruits Farm with Fine Chocolate Experience: $144
- Excursion Day Zhagal Thermal Baths Tour from Guayaquil: $158
- 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: $225
- Full-Day Nature and Adventure Private Tour from Guayaquil: $249
- Guayaquil City Tour (3.5 Hours): Las Peñas & Iguana Park: $131
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Guayaquil $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 Mombasa and Guayaquil, we can see that Guayaquil is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Guayaquil Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Guayaquil?
Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa or Guayaquil in the Summer?
Both Guayaquil and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa 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, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Guayaquil in the Autumn?
Both Guayaquil and Mombasa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa 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 Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than Guayaquil. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Guayaquil. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Guayaquil in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Guayaquil. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa 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, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Guayaquil. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Guayaquil in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Guayaquil. Mombasa 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. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Guayaquil. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Guayaquil | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.